Rest in Peace, Christopher Tolkien.

It is with great sadness that I have to write this - it's just come to my attention that Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R. Tolkien, has passed away, at age 95. Without him we would not have the Silmarillion, or any of the other reference works, or more recently any of his full tales of the best Middle-earth backstories. He was a protector and staunch defender of all his father's works, for some 91 years. Famously he protected it even from his father:

"I (then between four and five years old) was greatly concerned with petty consistency as the story unfolded, and that on one occasion I interrupted: ‘Last time, you said Bilbo’s front door was blue, and you said Thorin had a golden tassel on his hood, but you’ve just said that Bilbo’s front door was green, and the tassel on Thorin’s hood was silver’; at which point my father muttered ‘Damn the boy’, and then ‘strode across the room’ to his desk to make a note."

His work is at an end. We shall remember him.

The Welly-moot sends its deepest condolences to the Tolkien family.


"He was strong in life - may his spirit find its way to the halls of his father"

Next event - Picnic at Rivendell, 1st of February

Welly-moot, in association with The One Room Fan Museum, presents:

Rivendell Picnic 2020

We haven't had an event for a little while, and I think it's high time. What better way to celebrate the new decade with a Picnic at everyone's favourite LOTR location - Rivendell!

We're all getting together on February 1st, (with Feb 2 as the Plan B bad weather day). We're basically using the same plan as last year, since it worked so well.

Here's the outline:

• Meet at the Kaitoke Forks Carpark (by the swing-bridge), at 10:00am
• Adjust costumes (Hell yes! In costume through the rainforest!) (*)
• At 10:15 or so, we cross the swing-bridge, and walk the main track. It'll take about 30-45 minutes, although possibly a bit longer depending on costume.
• The end of the walk will get us to the Rivendell grassy lawn, where we unpack our picnics
• After the picnic, all join for a Welly-moot group photo by the Archway.

Plus anything else we can think of on the day, or before. We're open to ideas, so drop us a line anytime!

The final plans will be published here as the time comes closer, so check back here often. Please share on your social media as well - the more the merrier!

  - Jack


(*) Bring a Middle-earth costume of your own - or if you're stuck, Kathy will be here with The One Room Fan Museum's amazing costume collection, which you are welcome to wear on the day for a gold coin donation.

Public Announcement - The Roxy is showing the LOTR trilogy on Sept 21,21, 22

Just to let everyone know - the LOTR trilogy is once again being shown by Miramar's The Roxy cinema. They'll be shown one movie at a time, and they're "only" the theatrical cuts rather than the extended versions, but to make up for that, they'll be projected in glorious 35mm film format. They do sell out quickly, so book in as fast as possible.

Get your tickets here: https://www.roxycinema.co.nz/the-lord-of-the-rings

  - Jack

Come join us for the Tolkien movie this Monday (June 3rd)

A reminder that on Queen's Birthday (yes, the day after tomorrow!), we're meeting at 2:00pm in the lunch area of the Penthouse Cinema on Ohiro Road (Brooklyn), to enjoy a little lunch and conversation before the 3:15pm session of the Tolkien bio-pic. The movie is getting favourable reviews.

Everyone is welcome, but can you please let me know approximate numbers so I can prepare the good folk at the Penthouse for our group. They are holding a lunch-table for us, or more than one if we have the numbers.

There are also still a small number of seats held for us there - give them a call. Their phone number is (04) 802 5086,when booking remember to tell them you're part of the Welly-moot group and they'll seat us all in the same block of seats.

https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/movie/tolkien/
 

Also a quick reminder that Kathy from The One Room Fan Museum has costumes available, but get in touch with her soon.

http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/contact/
https://www.facebook.com/theoneroomfanmuseum/


Hope to see a lots of you there!

  - Jack

Tolkien Movie Detail - Group event on Queen's Birthday (June 3rd) at 3:15 PM

We finally have details of session times, and although earlier than expected, Queen's Birthday (June 3rd) seems to be the best date. We hope it suits you all as well!

Cinema Session

We've set up a group booking at the Penthouse Cinema, for the 3:15pm session. The booking is for up to 20 people, so just give them a call. Their phone number is (04) 802 5086,when booking remember to tell them you're part of the group and they'll seat us all in the same block of seats.


https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/movie/tolkien/


 NB - the Penthouse Cinema is located at 205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn.

Lunch Booking

We also want to get together beforehand to sit down for a spot of lunch, or just cup of coffee, so we're kicking off the event at 2:00pm in the Penthouse Cafe. Can you all drop me a quick message by Friday evening if you intend to be there for that so I can arrange a reserved table for us there as well, on my usual jack@welly-moot.com or just leave me a comment somewhere (Facebook works equally well).

https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/cafe/

Costs

Tickets are $16 for adults, $13.50 for Students and Senior Citizens, and $11 for children (keep in mind it's rated "M" for violence, which I'm guessing is for the WWI content). Lunch/coffee is at own expense.

Costumes

The Penthouse staff were delighted when I mentioned our group's penchant for middle-earth costumes, so if anyone felt so inclined, please wear'em if you got'em! And if you don't, please talk to Kathy from The One Room LOTR Fan Museum in Newtown, who is more than happy to help you out!

http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/contact/
https://www.facebook.com/theoneroomfanmuseum/

The gorgeous French film poster

Update: Tolkien Movie at the Lighthouse

I got a timely reminder from longtime Welly-mooter Wayne, who is currently in Leeds, UK. He sent me this photo:

This has prompted me back into action about watching the movie here as a group. It looks like the Lighthouse Cinema (Cuba Street) will be showing it from the 6th of June onwards. We can't book seats yet until earlier in that same week apparently, so if everyone is happy to wait until then, we'll just pick a session and I'll blog the details here later.

Alternatively, we could book an entire session for our selves - their smaller screen only has 35 seats, and costs $484 to hire for a session - that way we can accommodate anyone else who wants to turn up. The problem with this is that Welly-moot doesn't have a bank account, and I don't fancy running the risk of a heft loss if we don't fill the seats, so we'd have to get enough people to commit, beforehand.

As always, my email is jack@welly-moot.com, let me know your thoughts there or on Facebook.

  - Jack

Update - Upcoming Tolkien biopic movie

Hi all,

We're still waiting to hear which cinemas (if any!) are going to be showing the new Tolkien movie - if anyone has any information on that, please let me know? It's supposed to be released on the 6th of June, but that's all I can find out about it.

https://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/tolkien/


It looks like we do have enough people interested to make this into a Welly-moot event, assuming it will actually show somewhere close by, but please do let me know if you're also keen to join us.

My email is jack@welly-moot.com, or leave me a message anywhere you find me.

Meanwhile, enjoy this Stephen Colbert interview of Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins, the stars of 'Tolkien'. (Thanks to Aaron for the link!)

Enjoy your week!

  - Jack