Russell Nelson from Leicester Square TV sends this in: LSQTV sat down for an intimate one on one chat with the charming and phenomenally talented John Rhys-Davies last weekend whilst he was meeting UK fans at Collectormania London.

He talks about not only the magic of Tolkien and his experience of making the films, but also about whether or not he’d be interested in returning to the franchise for the upcoming Hobbit films. Continue reading “Video: John Rhys-Davies Talks Tolkien”

A note from Vivienne Wilkes, one of the many organizers of the Middle-earth Weekend, with details of next year’s event. This will be held as usual at:

Sarehole Mill in Birmingham, England
and will be open from 11.00am until 5.00pm on
Saturday and Sunday
15th and 16th May 2010.

Vivienne is not taking an active role in the organization this year since she is instead following in the footsteps of Rosie Cotton. Rosie’s husband Sam Gamgee as, you will recall, became Mayor of Michael Delving in the years following the Hobbits’ adventures in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. By strange coincidence Viv is married to this year’s Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Of course a major difference is Michael Wilkes will be Lord Mayor for one year only whereas Sam was Mayor for many, many years. Continue reading “Middle-earth Weekend and Staffordshire Hoard”

News is on the Associated Press wire today that the founder of the pop-culture showcase, the San Diego Comic-Con, Sheldon Dorf, has died at age 76. A spokesperson for Dorf’s family, friend Greg Koudoulian, says he died at a San Diego hospital as a result of kidney failure and problems caused by diabetes. At the official Comic-Con Website there is a message from the Board of Directors, Staff and volunteers of the Comic-Con organization as they “mourn the passing of our dear friend Shel”. Continue reading “Comic-Con founder dies”

Nice little piece on one the Elf Fantasy Fair in Utrecht, only this time from the viewpoint of one of the stars who was there to sign his autograph for the fans. Luckily he had time to look around and describe the fair too! [More]

Dr Dimitra Fimi, Associate Lecturer: University of Wales Institute, Cardiff writes: Festival in the Shire: A celebration of all things Tolkien inspired! Announcing the biggest and most exciting event for Tolkien enthusiasts in 2010: Festival in the Shire is a conference, exhibition and fair celebrating themes inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, which will be held in mid-Wales, in Machynlleth’s historic Y Plas house and grounds between 13 and 15 August 2010. Continue reading “Announcing ‘Festival in the Shire’”