Peter Parfitt and Norm Abrams.
Many thanks Chris for all of your support both here and through YouTube.
I need to say something about all of this...
When I created this thread I was toying with the idea of arranging a FOG get together here in the UK. Not an informal bash in the back garden (Ron - I admire you and your wife for the efforts that you have made doing just that) but something a little more elaborate. I needed a sponsor (or funding) and I also wanted to get a celebrity to attract FOGgers to the event.
I am a great fan of Norm Abram and would so love to meet him. I thought that he would be the "must have" guy to invite to the party. When I was new to the FOG I got a lot of help from the work of Paul Marcel and so he, with Norm, were my "dream team" for the FOG event. I have exchanged emails with Paul from time to time and he has always been very helpful and I count him as a (distant) friend.
I did not get the help that I sought for the big UK FOG bash and if anyone that I asked for help now steps in to remedy matters then great but if not then I will chalk it down to experience and me putting too much faith in companies rather than people. I have no intention of embarrassing anyone who was involved so don't ask about this detail.
So, this thread was all about drumming up some interest which I then though would lead to a big announcement that Norm or Paul (or both) would be here in the UK. Bang goes my chance of meeting either of them but if either of you guys read this - thank you for everything and you are my woodworking heroes.
Thanks everyone.
Peter