Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!

Continue reading “TORn Message Boards Weekly Roundup – April 23, 2012”

It seems since the official The Lord of the Rings store at WBShop.com had a redesign, we’ve been getting non-stop deals for Tolkien fans. The offers continue today as we learn of a new Earth Day promotion. WBShop.com is offering 20% LOTR items including Middle-earth canvases, Arwen’s Pendant, framed film cells, etc, etc. If you were looking for an excuse to build your collection, now’s the time! [WBShop.com Earth Day Promo] [LOTR Shirts] [Official Hobbit Shirt]

Welcome to this months “Getting to know…” questions that need answering.

Julie and her daughter at Queenstown Feb 2012
Julie and her daughter at Queenstown Feb 2012 Tour

It’s based on the old Getting to know you threads that I used to post on the message boards here on TORn, so those familiar with them will know that the questions can be a little crazy and the answers even crazier.

This month we’re asking questions of Red Carpet Tours Julie James.

Continue reading “Getting to know Julie James of Red Carpet Tours”

 

The official The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit shop, WBShop.com, is at it again! They’ve just added 14 new styles to their t-shirt store and some may be a bit hard to resist! Among the highlights: The White Tree of Gondor, a Treebeard quote, a ‘lost Ring’ design and many others. Check them out! BTW – We do hope to have some new TheOneRing.net T-Shirts in the near future! [WBShop.com] [Official Hobbit Shirt]

For the fans of Tolkien who wish they could visit Middle-earth, New Zealand is, in many regards, the closest they will get.  Certainly the Lord of the Rings movies created a huge boost to New Zealand tourism; it would be fascinating to know how many readers of TORn were inspired to visit – or even to move! – down under after watching Peter Jackson’s films.

Now the New Zealand tourist board is getting ready for another influx of visitors, and businesses are being encouraged to embrace The Hobbit in order to attract tourists.   Last year, the Rugby World Cup (which happens every four years) was hosted – and won! – by New Zealand; but the tourism created by that event is as nothing compared with what The Hobbit will bring, says George Hickton, the man who led the ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ campaign.  You can read what he has to say here; if it makes you want to hurry off for an Aotearoa adventure, don’t forget your passport – and maybe a pocket-handkerchief…