About our club and contact methods.
The Knights of the White Guardian (often called simply "The Knights," occasionally called K.O.T.W.G. OR "Kot-Wigg" and sometimes erroneously called "The White Knights of Gallifrey") was founded during the summer of 1987. Most of the members ranged between the ages of 13 and 28 and had been watching the Doctor Who television series for at least four years. The initial goals of the club were the following:
The character of the White Guardian was introduced in the Doctor Who television episode The Ribos Operation in September of 1978. The character was the creation of script editor Anthony Read and fleshed by actor Cyril Luckham. Throughout the 16th season of the program, the Doctor travels through time and space as an agent or "pawn of the White Guardian." As part of the Guardian's quest, the Doctor had to collect the six segments of the Key to Time, a powerful time talisman, before he could resume his normal adventures.
The White Guardian was a popular character in Doctor Who fan fiction in the mid-1980's and we wanted to somehow include him in the name of the club. Everyone thought "pawns of the White Guardian" sounded kind of passive so we adopted "Knights of the White Guardian" choosing a somewhat more romantic chess piece to represent ourselves.
Today the Knights consists of 35+ paying members. Amongst this group are approximately 24 "active members" in the sense that they take part in club events, newsletter production, or updating the web site. Most of the active members live in Western Massachusetts or lived there at one time. Active members range in age from 23 to 52 though most are in their mid-30's. Nine members of the active membership have been with the Knights since 1987.
The Knights continue to produce a monthly newsletter: "The Gallifreyan Gazette ... from Below the Citadel." The Gazette features news about Doctor Who and other media science fiction as well as reviews of the most recent Doctor Who novels, DVD's, videos, and audio releases. There are also movie reviews and articles pertaining to other science fiction programs that interest our contributing members. Fan fiction in the form of a continuing story has been a trademark of the Gazette from its earliest days, and is always welcome. Back to top
There is one Knights event held every month. Traditionally these are meetings/parties held at the club address. In more recent years certain members have begun hosting gaming events, DVD parties, and other activities at their own homes on a semi-regular basis. In summer months, pool parties and cookouts are popular. Festivities usually begin at 2:00PM and end in the early hours of the morning. Before the night is over at least 45 minutes of the gathering is devoted to club business. Occasionally day trips to other fun activities are also planned.
Most activities are planned within a month of their happening. However there are some annual Knights events that happen with such regularity that one can plan on them a year in advance. They are:
| New Year's Eve Party | |
| Attendance at I-Con | Early April |
| Memorial Day Weekend Party | The Sunday before Memorial Day |
| 4th of July Party | |
| Labor Day Party | The Sunday before Labor Day |
| Trip to King Richard's Faire | The Sunday of Columbus Day weekend |
| Halloween Party | The Saturday before Halloween or on Halloween if on a Friday or Saturday. |
| Attendance at United Fan Con | Early November |
| Christmas Party | The Saturday before Christmas Eve |
Since 1992 the active members have participated in weekend-long road trips (traiditonally in the spring or summer but not exclusively so). These events are announced in the newsletter and often involve a convention or a visit to a resort town. There are usually 10 to 15 Knights in attendance. Some notable trips include:
| 1992 | Who Party 10 | (Nicola Bryant) Toronto, Ontario, CANADA |
| 1993 | A Science Fiction Media Celebration | (Jon Pertwee) Boston, MA |
| 1994 | Class Act Production's Star Trek Weekend | (Avery Brooks) Fort Washington, PA |
| 1995 | Maryland Renaissance Faire | Crownsville, MD |
| 1996 | Cramer's Point | Lake George, NY |
| 1997 | Fort Geronimo Sports Lodge | Redfield, NY |
| 1998 | North East Super Con I | (Gil Gerard & Erin Grey) Kiamesha Lake, NY |
| 1999 | Montreal | Quebec, CANADA |
| 2000 | Watch Hill/Misquamicut Beach | Westerly, RI |
| 2001 | Chatham & Provincetown | Cape Cod, MA |
| 2002 | Sterling Renaissance Festival | Sterling, NY |
| 2003 | Baseball Hall of Fame | Cooperstown, NY |
| 2004 | Wells Beach, ME | July 30th - August 2nd |
| 2005 | Lake George, NY | August 2005 |
| 2006 | Gettysburg, PA and Amish country | August 19th - August 20th |
The Knights regularly attend the following conventions:
* We have produced second track programming for this convention and usually set up a club table at this show.
A group of three Knights attended every Visions' in Chicago with the exception of Visions '98.
the Knights attended and contributed to 5-Con I, vI, VII, VIII, IX, X; and North East Super Con I & II when those conventions were active.
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