Operation Bath Duck Update: Scout Duck 002

Firstly, regular visitors to this site will have noticed some changes to the layout, one of them being that Operation Bath Duck now has its own page. As a fair amount of time can elapse between Scout Ducks reporting back I thought it best to file them in their own individual page. By separating them from other projects, news and mitherings I hope to make it easier for casual duck related browsing.
All reports can be found under ‘ducks’ located at the top of the page.
Secondly… Scout Duck: 002 reported in from Brunel University, Uxbridge and in the care of inventor Professor Heinz Wolff! Known for his passion for science and practical jokes Professor Heinz Wolff has a tremendous gift for inventing and encouraging others to learn. He is fondly remembered in the United Kingdom for presenting shows such as The Great Egg Race, Young Scientists of the Year and Great Experiments Which Changed the World but he holds numerous other achievements! He qualified in physiology and physics in 1954. Subsequently, whilst with the medical research council, he chose to work on the interface between engineering and the biological sciences, calling himself a bioengineer, thus giving a name to the new discipline. He became head of the divisions of bioengineering at the national institute for medical research and subsequently at the clinical research centre. He was made an honorary member of the European Space Agency in 1975, for which he was chair for the Advisory committee looking at the uses of micro-gravity for scientific research. He was also scientific director and co-founder of Project Juno, the private British-Soviet joint venture that sent Helen Sharman to the Mir space station, which saw Helen Sharman become Britain's first astronaut in 1991. In 1992 he was recipient of the Edinburgh medal, awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution by a scientist to society.

He founded The Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB) in 1983 a multidisciplinary innovative research and development organisation, which is now closely aligned to the School of Engineering and Design. The Institute has developed from a renowned space research facility into an organisation with a multi-purpose Laboratory, which the Professor retains, devoted to his research projects. Over the years they have developed instruments used for biological research in the weightless environment of orbiting spacecraft and Tools for Living, i.e. the use of technology of all kinds to improve the quality of life of elderly people. In one instance the conversion of three-wheel BMW bubble car to run on electricity as a prototype for a new mode of transport for older people.
Having long admired the Professor’s work and achievements over the years I was delighted to see how Scout Duck 002 was getting on. I thank the Professor and Maura Donnelly for their time and kindness in helping with this project. It’s good to know that Scout Duck: 002 is in safe hands!

Information courtesy of the Brunel University website.
For a detailed account of the project please read 'Operation Bath Duck'
© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Wales Comic Con 2014

This Sunday I will be attending Wales Comic Con at Glyndŵr University, Wrexham standing alongside the good folk of Hellbound Media peddling comics and art.
I had a great time last year and I am very much looking forward to going again, encouraging everyone to read Slaughterhouse Farm#1 ‘hyping up’ issue #2 and selling my art. Incidentally, I will be launching my latest series of paintings ‘Patty Portraits’ original art (hand painted/drawn) in a choice of colours featuring Patty the Sasquatch.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Download your free Bellamy Eco-Postage Label!

Like many of you out there I am a regular user of eBay and Amazon and I am staggered by the amount of newly bought padded envelopes and postage packaging that accumulates over the months. Although some are made from recycled paper, I rarely see a reused envelope these days and surely it would make more sense to re-use recycled envelopes? Surely this would save us all money and the environment in the long run? I use this method all the time but I find that others are put off by my example as they think it might make seem cheap or thrifty.  So I have created a label that will hopefully make up for it by both encouraging the reusing of envelopes and postal packaging and highlighting the environmentally friendly aspect of this method, hopefully compensating for the ‘second hand’ look that the package might have. Harking back to my Science Spotlight series the label reads, “Professor David Bellamy says: “Save money and the environment by reusing old envelopes postal packaging!” and is fully endorsed by Professor David Bellamy OBE. "Britain's best known botanist" doesn’t really need an introduction with over 40 books, 80+ scientific papers on ecology and the environment along with dozens of television programmes to his name it has been a privilege working with him on this project.

Simply download the free label by clicking on the above image, print it off, add the recipient’s name and address on the right hand side and stick them to your envelopes and parcels.  For maximum green effect print the labels with environmentally friendly Soy ink on 100% recycled or FSC sourced paper/stickers! Please note these are © Arfon Jones the label may be freely printed for all except commercial purposes!

© Arfon Jones 2013-2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

RIP Kate O’Mara (1939 – 2014)

I grew up in the 1980’s and my parents watched both Dynasty and Howards' Way so naturally I knew who Kate O’Mara was. But when you consider that The Vampire Lovers and The Horror of Frankenstein are on my list of all time favourite Hammer movies and that I adored the Rani in Doctor Who, you will understand how saddened I was to hear of Kate O’Mara’s passing yesterday. Having been a fan of her for years I had the privilege of meeting her once at a convention in 2004. In what would prove to be an extremely rare moment I found myself to be the only one in her line and so able to have a nice chat with her without being ushered on. She was an amazing lady, genuine and friendly and she posed for a photo and signed an autograph for my daughter, “how old is she?” she asked. I told her that she was three, “so she won’t have a clue who I am then?” she said, “Oh she will” I said, “count on it!” she laughed and thanked me. That would be the last time I saw her, but I made good on my promise, my daughter knows who the Rani is and as soon as she’s a little older I will let her see the above mentioned Hammer movies too!

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Bangor Museum & Art Gallery’s 2014 Open Art Exhibition

Just back from the official opening of Bangor’s Museum & Art Gallery’s 19th annual open art exhibition. This year I decided to take the plunge and submit some entries and I am delighted to say that both were accepted.  Both the Womble and Fingermouse are now on display amongst works of other local artists from the 8th of March to the 21st of April. Each year they offer artists living and working in the area the opportunity to showcase their work to the public. As a former Bangor student of art, I have visited the Museum & Art Gallery a few times over the years so I’m pleased to have this opportunity to display something within its walls before its relocation to Bishop’s Palace (The Town Hall that Beth and I were married in last year). So pop along to the 2014 open art exhibition and check out the work housed inside, and be sure to vote for your favourite in the ‘people’s choice award’ awarded when the exhibition ends in April.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

New Book! The Dr. Who Fannual

Who merchandise is everywhere these days, capable of filling a Tardis several times over but we see very little relating to Peter Cushing’s version seen in the movies released in 1965 and 1966. During that time World Distributors Ltd started publishing Doctor Who annuals based on the television series producing them from the height of Dalek mania through to the 1980s (with the exception of 1972) but they never produced one devoted to the Cushing movies… Well now fans finally have the opportunity to add one to their collections with this beautifully designed ‘fannual’ which lovingly recreates the classic World Distributors look and is packed with stories and strips relating to Dr. Who! As the blurb indicates, it’s a “fanzine featuring an elderly gentleman who can travel through time and space in his own invention with his family and friends.” Written and illustrated by fans of the movies and is an absolute delight, I tip my hat to all responsible in its production as they did an excellent job.
Now you may have gathered that I too provided content for this book, and you would be right. Three of them in fact. Naturally, I’m always delighted to see my work published and this book is no exception, but I’m doubly pleased as it’s not only a Doctor Who related project (finally!) a Peter Cushing project but it also provided me the opportunity and pleasure of illustrating one of my wife’s stories! ‘Susan and the King’ a short story that has Susan and Dr. Who meeting Charles II during the English Civil War! Find this tale and many others contained within its 168 pages. Guaranteed to compliment any Doctor Who annual collection! They are available either in colour or black and white, hardcover or paperback! Order here.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

RIP Harold Ramis/ Egon Spengler (1944 – 2014)

Nineteen years into my life something special happened to me, a mundane moment for others perhaps but for me it made me smile. For a fair chunk of those nineteen years I had many a hurtful name thrown at me, and having a unique name excluded me from having a nickname. But at this particular moment in my lifetime someone actually called me “Egon” and I accepted this comparison as a compliment. They were unaware that Egon Spengler had long been a childhood hero of mine. If Ray Stantz was the heart of the Ghostbusters Egon was the brain and when Ghostbusters was released I wanted to be Egon, he was always my favourite and when we ran around the schoolyard-busting ghosts I did so as Spengler, providing escapism from those hurtful words previously mentioned. So I was saddened to hear that Harold Ramis, the man who was Egon Spengler had passed away aged only 69 of “autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis” a condition itself which sounded like something Egon would have come up with.
Ghostbusters throughout the world will mourn his passing, this one included.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.