IMAGINE a party lasting for a whole weekend, attended by personalities from shows like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica or Lost.

Thanks to a group of cult television fans from Dorset, that's exactly what happens every year at a hotel venue in Boscombe.

The SF Ball, now in its 14th year, invites the stars from cult television shows to perform on stage and mingle with fans during the three-day extravaganza being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Carrington House Hotel.

It is one of the few events where devotees are able to chat to their TV favourites on a one-to-one basis at the famous Friday night cocktail party.

This year, lucky gold ticket holders will have the opportunity to make small talk with Star Trek legends Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura in the original series, LeVar Burton, who played blind engineer Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Buck Rogers actors Gill Gerard and Erin Gray.

But what's involved in organising an event which includes cabaret acts, looking after famous people, stage performances, quizzes, a themed ball and a three-course dinner?

Organising the SF Ball is a mammoth task involving at least 80 people headed up by Anne Lindup, managing director of SFB Events, which presents it.

The event was first staged 15 years ago by a group of university friends who had formed a society for fans of cult TV.

It was so successful that they continued to stage it every year.

A non-profit-making event, it raises money primarily for the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital.

Previous guests have included Patrick Stewart of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dwight Schultz - better known as Howlin' Mad Murdoch from the "A" Team - Elisabeth Sladen (Dr Who assistant Sarah Jane Smith) and original Star Trek legends George Takei and Walter Koenig.

Anne said: "I've got stars lined up for next year's ball already.

"It is not just me but 20 managers and a crew of 60. Each department has a different role.

"We've got the technical department which does all the production and the stage crew. It's like organising the Oscars and it's a major entertainment event.

"We all have integrated roles. We have to organise things like the dealers' rooms, sort out all the table plans and menus and the cabaret.

"It's become a way of life. We discuss things over the internet and have regular meetings with the managers."

When the celebrities arrive in Dorset, the SF Ball team takes them on a tour of the local area.

Anne said: "They find it delightful. They like the history and the scenery.

"We usually take them to the Harbour Heights, on the ferry to Sandbanks, Corfe Castle and lunch at Langton Matravers."

Another attraction for the stars is meeting the English fans who generally tend to be more interested in "the craft of the actor" than how to become famous, like some US fans, adds Anne.

Boournemouth's SF Ball is a more relaxed experience than many large cult TV events which involve celebrities "having to sit and sign all day", she adds.

"Here they get involved in the whole weekend rather than just sit at a desk all day signing pictures so for them it's really interesting.

"They get to talk to the fans in depth and answer people's questions on stage," she added.

People can buy day tickets or for the full weekend. Family tickets are also available.

  • Anyone booking tickets who mentions having read this article in the Daily Echo will be entitled to a half-price day ticket. For more info visit the link below.