2003 Archive 
At the end of January, a large toy fair was held in London. The UK representative for TV Century 21 went along to get the scoop on the latest merchandising coming our way soon.
The venue was a brand new conference centre in London's dockland. My first, and most important visit, was to the stand of Vivid Imaginations where I was made VERY welcome! I was given a press kit on CD ROM, and the Thunderbirds 2001 range information.
I took my own pictures of the prototypes of the new Thunderbirds 1 and 2, and damn good they look too!
Vivid also tell me that stock will be in the shops in the near future. The figures retail at around £13.00 each. Currently Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains and The Hood. (see related press release)
Other points of note
The Mousepad Company have produced an excellent range of, well mousepads, and other computer and mobile phone accessories. A colour flyer is on its way to you, meanwhile you could create a link to their website at www.mousepad.dircon.co.uk
Halsall have a range of beach and garden products which I think are quite quirky and fun. Again, a colour leaflet is on route, and again you can create a link to their website at www.time4toys.com.
Cards Inc put out the following press release, dated January 23rd.
Cards Inc are pleased to announce the agreement to release the Thunderbirds Trading Cards set that has been agreed through Carlton Licensing. We will be releasing the set through main retail sources and will contain a random assortment of the following cards:
72 card set
Foil Chase Cards
Random Autograph Cards of the Voice Actors from the hit shows
For further information please call:
Darren Epstein,
Cards Inc Ltd,
Tel: 01923 200 130
Fax: 01923 200 134
You can visit their website and create a link at www.cardsinc.com
Dekkertoys
Dekkertoys have a wide range of Thunderbirds product ranging from a Thunderbird 2 torch, to rucksacks, to costumes (for adults as well as children) and much more. Their website is at www.cesar-group.com
Jigsaws
As well as the existing 1000 piece jigsaw from Gibson Games, a company called Ravensburger are producing a children's range of jigsaws. Details are still to be confirmed, however will probably included shaped photographic images of the Thunderbirds craft, and the homepage image from Thunderbirdsonline.
Lavender Castle
One interesting point note, Carrington Productions (who made Lavender Castle) have now become part of Entertainment Rights plc. At the licensing fair last autumn they were heavily promoting Lavender Castle. However in the Spring 2001 edition of The Licensing Source Book Lavender Castle is nowhere to be seen. I wonder what's going on in that regard?