Author: Fran Martin

Fran Martin became a member of The Bootmakers of Toronto in 1987 and The Stormy Petrels of B.C. in 1988. She has attended several Sherlockian conferences including: In 1992 "Aspects of Holmes" in Bradford, England (hosted by The Northern Musgraves); In 2006 "ACD at 35" in Toronto (hosted by The Bootmakers of Toronto); 2013 "Sherlock Holmes Through Time & and Place" in Minneapolis (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); 2014 "Gillette to Brett IV" in Bloomington (hosted by Wessex Press); 2015 SherlockCon in Seattle; 2015 "A Scintillation of Scions VIII" in Baltimore (hosted by Watson's Tin Box); 2016 "The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes" (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); in 2018 in Dayton, Ohio for the "Holmes, Doyle & Friends" conference (hosted by the Agra Treasurers). Fran has held several positions with The Stormy Petrels of B.C. including secretary, vice-president, special events coordinator and is currently president and editor of the "Petrel Flyer". She was honoured with being awarded the title of "Master Bootmaker" in 2014. She was very pleased to present a paper to a meeting of Sir Hugo's Companions in Chicago in 2017. Fran has contributed articles to Canadian Holmes magazine, the Watsonian and Chris Redmond's "About Sixty" and "Sherlock Holmes is Like...". In May, 2018 she attended the 78th annual Speckled Band of Boston dinner. She was very honoured to have been one of the first women invited.

OCTOBER MEETING

“The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane”

We find Sherlock Holmes retired to “a small farm upon the Downs, five miles from Eastbourne.”

Was he truly yearing for “that soothing life of Nature”? Did he find London gloomy?

Was Mrs. Hudson still his housekeeper?

This is only one of two cases written by Holmes himself.

Where does cyanea capillata fit into this case?

For more discussion, please join the Petrels at our next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Octover 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm chez Wood.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Peter and Audrey for their hospitality and congratulate them on 50 years of marriage!

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SEPTEMBER MEETING

“It was one Sunday evening early in September of the year 1903 that I received one of Holmes’ laconic messages: “Come at once if convenient – if inconvenient, come all the same.” – S.H.”

The story for discussion at the next regular meeting of the Stormy Petrels is “The Adventure of the Creeping Man”

Holmes says that this problem is a ‘tangled skein’ and he is looking for a loose end. For example: Why does Professor Presbury’s wolf-hound, Roy, endeavour to bite him? After all, Holmes states that “a dog reflects the family life”.

Camford – is it Cambridge or Oxford?
Why did Mrs. Bennett call her husband Jack, when his name is Trevor?
What role do langur monkeys play in this story?

For answers to these questions and more, please join the Stormy Petrels at the next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7th at 7:00 pm at the home of our Priory Schoolmaster, P. Wood.

Please contact your Consulting Detective for more details.

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“A Study in Pink”

Sherlock Holmes has a website called “The Science of Deduction”, he uses a cell phone to send text messages to Lestrade and a computer is a fixture on his desk at 221b Baker Street.

Rubbish you say? Not so!

BBC 1 began running a 3-part series entitled “Sherlock” on July 25th and I had the opportunity of seeing the first installment called “A Study in Pink”. Although loosely based on STUD, it was entirely set in current times. Watson, a veteran of the Afghan war, (and a blogger) meets Stamford in the park and from there “the game is on” as Sherlock puts it.

I was doubtful whether Holmes would be able to put his deductive skills to use in the 21st century, but he was able to pull it off amazingly! Benedict Cumerbath made an excellent Sherlock Holmes. Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson proved and invaluable companion. Amazed by Holmes and also confused at times, but loyal and brave.

The writing comes courtesy of Doctor Who writers, Steven Moffat and Mark Gratiss (who also has a role is this series).

This episode was definitely a “three-patch” problem (Holmes is trying to quit smoking) The next installment is “The Blind Banker”. I anxiously await viewing it.

Your Consulting Detective

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ANNUAL CROQUET AND BBQ

Sherlock Holmes: “This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored to to lie.” NOBL

Such is not the case with our Annual Petrel BBQ and Croquet Match.

Who will win the annual croquet match this year? Can anyone top Len? The bbq will be fired up on August 14th as Petrels gather on the patio at the home of your Consulting Detective, on the borders of Surrey. A leisurely evening of Sherlockian fellowship and food will follow.

If you would like more details or are considering joining our flock, please e-mail your Consulting Detective for more details.

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