Short Summary

David J Howe is a historian who has published over 30 titles on the subject of the television show ‘Doctor Who’. He is writer or co-writer of such titles as ‘The Handbook’, ‘The Television Companion’ and ‘The Target Book’. He was the founder of the acclaimed fanzine ‘The Frame’ and worked with Jon Pertwee on his autobiography ‘I Am The Doctor!’.

“Ever since I first saw ‘Doctor Who’ in the mid 1960’s, I was a confirmed fan,” explains David. “In addition, I have been collecting merchandise, original artwork, costumes from the show and props for most of my life.”

David is probably the owner of the largest ‘Doctor Who’ merchandise and ephemera collection in the world, with many thousands of items collected and preserved. His dream has always been to have a private museum to display the collection so that he and others can fully enjoy his lifetime’s passion.

“If you contribute to this campaign, you allow me to achieve his dream. It will also mean that all of these magnificent pieces can be shared with other people instead of being packed away in boxes and file cabinets. Which is always something I have always wanted to do.”

One of the major issues in mounting such an endeavour is where to host it. Over the years, David has made approaches to country houses and museums to see if they might be interested, but every time they have not. Therefore, realising that the only sure way of achieving this was to have his own premises in which to host it, David managed to find and buy a business unit two years ago to help make his vision a reality. THIS IS LOCATED IN RURAL LINCOLNSHIRE. (JUST OUTSIDE OF SLEAFORD).

“With the premises there and owned by me, the possibility of seeing this happen was much closer,” explains David. “The plan was always to adapt the building, and make it a suitable home for the collection.”

Unfortunately David unexpectedly suffered a major heart attack in May 2015, which meant that he was unable to work for several months, and since then work has been hard to find. So of course, with no income, work and plans on the Museum ground to a halt. At this point, the financial constraints make David’s dream seem like an impossible venture.

“Without the finances to finish this project, I may never see my collection displayed in the way I always wanted. I think this would be a terrible shame. I want people to see it. I want to share it. I also want to be able to see my lifelong ambition become a reality.”

David can’t do this alone. But you can help to make this vision a reality.

What We Need & What You Get

Unfortunately we need a lot of money!

Our contribution to the campaign:

In 2014 we bought a business unit which is around 3360 square feet. So far we have invested almost £50,000 which includes the cost of the premises, a new roof last year (£7000) and some doors and windows were replaced too. And it goes without saying that the collection of merchandise has cost David a uncaluable amount of financial commitment over the years.

What we need help with and why:

Levelling the floor: There are foot-deep pits cut into the floor of the business unit that need to be filled. As well as that the whole floor needs to be levelled. This doesn’t come cheap. The quotes we have at the moment fall around £10,000 (but we may be able to sort this for less). Who knew that concrete and flooring could be so expensive!

Insulation and Decor: the walls are currently all just single layer breeze block, and the roof is a double-layer metal sheeting. As mentioned above, we have already replaced the external roof, however, proper insulation to protect the collection will need to be added to all of the wall and ceiling space, as well as boarding out the entire space, finishing and painting. This is estimated to cost around £5000.

Electrics: Our lowest quote to put in new wiring, plug sockets and lighting as and where needed to best display and illuminate the items will be around £3500 (but we can try and scale back initially, and then add to it as further funds become available).

External Groundworks: We need a French Drain installing down one side of the building (30 metres), and drainage gullies cutting to route rainwater from the roof away from the building. Then there’s a large drainage ditch to be created down the side of the building too, and then all the soil and waste needs to be removed from the site. This is estimated at around £5000 - £8000 depending on the amount of waste to be removed.

That’s 23,500 so far! What’s the rest for??

Fixtures and fittings AND Improved security: Cabinets, bookcases and display plinths to safely display the collection … Plus some new large UPVC doors (which are £1000 each) for the front and interior of the building … the number of things needed is quite large! Again these could be scaled back and added as and when we have funds ...

If this is to be done at all, it needs to be done properly.  So we have a conservative estimate of £30,000 to get it all sorted out.

WHAT YOU GET IF YOU HELP!

Hold on to your hats because we have a whole list of fantastic perks that any ‘Doctor Who’ Fan would love to have.

Perk 1 - Donation of any amount will get you a personal shout out on Facebook and Twitter from David Howe.

Perk 2 - I WANT TO HELP. For £10 you will get a shout out on social media by both David Howe and his wife, the novelist, Sam Stone.

Perk 3 - NAME DISPLAYED IN THE MUSEUM - For £20 you will get your name displayed on a permanent official Thank You banner in the museum. As well as a shout out on social media by David and Sam.

Perk 4 - FREE VISIT ONCE A YEAR (For 5 years). For £40 you get the chance to have a pre-arranged visit to the private museum once a year for 5 years. (Less than £10 per year!!) Your name will also be on the Thank You banner and you will get your well-deserved thank yous on social media by David and Sam. (Note that travel to and the Museum, and any overnight accommodation is NOT included.)

Perk 5 - LOVE THE TARGET BOOK. £50. (50 sheets only) Get a signed full colour proof sheet from the new hardback print run of David’s popular title, THE TARGET BOOK, ready for framing. (A rare and valuable piece for any serious collector – and you can choose which page you want! First come; first served on this.)

Perk 6 - (And this one is good!) SPONSORS’ OPEN DAY! £150. Be among the first to see the museum in its finished glory, provisionally (subject to works being completed) planned for Summer 2018. There are only 80 of these perks so buy now if you want to be there. This entitles you to one free entrance ticket to the official open day. With one free autograph from David J Howe and planned Guest of Honour Frazer Hines (who played Jamie McCrimmon in the Classic era of the show). Also attending - Doctor Who Writer Richard Dinnick!! But that’s not all ... There will be a buffet dinner. There will be free entry for you once a year for the next 4 years. There will be the shout outs on social media and you will get your name on the permanent Thank You banner which will be displayed in the museum. (Note that travel to and from the Museum, and any overnight accommodation is NOT included.)

Perk 7 -  Now for another extra. (For 12 people only). £130. HAVE DINNER WITH DAVID J HOWE AND SAM STONE IN THEIR HOME. This will be 3 dinner parties of 4 people, joining David and Sam for dinner. Sam loves to cook and will be making a selection of her and David’s favourite foods. Allergies can be catered for: just let us know! There will be dinner, wine and conversation from 6pm-10.30pm. As well as the shout out, a photo with David, Sam or both, and your name listed on the Thank You banner in the Museum. (Note that travel to and from David’s place, and any overnight accommodation is NOT included.)

Perk 8 - SPECIAL SPONSORS’ OPEN DAY EXTRA BUNDLE - £200. For just 20 people we are offering a special sponsors’ day extra bundle. This includes some great goodies. As above you will be one of the lucky people who attend the museum on its first official open day. You’ll be entitled to your autograph from David and Frazer. You’ll be given wine (or beer if you prefer) with your buffet, and you will have the opportunity to pose with David and Frazer for a picture. The digital version will be emailed to you and a copy will be placed on our special Honorary Sponsor’s Board in the museum along with your name. But that’s not all. You will be the very first to enter the museum an hour before everyone else!! (Note that travel to and from the Museum, and any overnight accommodation is NOT included.)

NOT GOT ENOUGH YET??

Perk 9 - DINNER FOR TWO WITH FRAZER HINES (for 4 couples only). A private dinner with Frazer will be organised at the home of David and Sam. Wine, food, and candlelight. A photograph with Frazer to commemorate the day. Your picture and name will be on the Honorary Sponsor’s Board, you’ll get social media shout outs and a free visit to the museum - your own private viewing - before dinner! This would make a perfect Valentine’s or anniversary gift for you and your loved one. (Note that travel to and from David’s place, and any overnight accommodation is NOT included.)

Perk 10: There are 2 of these perks only up for grabs - £500 - Lunch for two with Chase Masterson in los Angeles during Gallifrey Convention - Maximum of $50 per head for food and wine. (Travel and Accommodation and Gallifrey convention pass NOT included).

Perk 11 - Richard Dinnick Signed Goodies Bundle. Richard Dinnick is offering signed goodies in support of the campaign. For £125 for (6 only). You will receive 'Underwater War' - 11th Doctor Book. 'The Wanderer' - 1st Dr Audio, 'The Rings of Ikiria' - 3rd Dr Audio - some surprise and secret forthcoming books and comics: Including an original comic script and an A4 Poster of 'Underwater War'. ALL SIGNED by RICHARD DINNICK. NOT TO BE MISSED! Price includes shipping anywhere in the world.

PERK 12 and 13 are Sponsors' Open Day perks - but for Friends and Family and Couples. We are trying to make this affordable and accessible for all.

ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL PERKS ADDED SINCE THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN:

London Live Magazine Sep 1990 x 11 (£15)

Midweek Magazine 17th Nov 1997 x 6 (£15)

BBC Books Video Audio Flier x 20 (£15)

Midweek Magazine 16 Dec 1996 with Paul McGann Cover x 4 (£30)

BBC Brochure form around 1987 x 6 (£30)

BBC 30th Anniversary Brochure x 3 (£30)

Private Viewing for 4 with lunch at David and Sam's, Special Sponsor Open Day package for all, and lifetime once a year free visit x 4 available (£1000)

LI WHO PERKS - Selections of t-shirts, autographs, prints, guest badges and more donated to use from the generous dealers and guests at the Long Island Who 4 Convention. Perks are various prices to suit your budget. Details are in the Perk List.

LI Who 4 - Perk 1 x 1 (£60) (SOLD OUT)

LI Who 4 - Perk 2 x 1 (£35)

LI Who 4 - Perk 3 x 1 (£65)

LI Who 4 - Perk 4 x 1 (£50)

LI Who 4 - Perk 5 x 1 (£45)

LI Who 4 - Perk 6 x 1 (£40)

LI Who 4 - Perk 7 x 1 (£100)

LI Who 4 - Perk 8 x 1 (£45)

Huge thanks to the following people who generously gave these perks: FRAZER HINES, DAPHNE ASHBROOK, JEREMY RADICK, PAUL SALAMOFF, JOHN PEEL, ROBERT HACK , PIXEL WHO (Ly and Nathan), THE COLORFUL GEEK, GTM CREATIONS, JORDANDENE, GEEK BOY PRESS, PATRICK - THE MADAM NOSTRADAMUS, MARFDAZEGEEK.

BE KILLED BY SAM STONE IN HER NEXT NOVEL - This Perk gives you the chance to become a character in Sam Stone's next novel, and to be killed horribly therein ...  It includes a signed copy of the final book as and when it is published. Sam will also include a signed photograph.

There are 5 of these available. (£50 each)

PDF CATALOGUE OF THE MUSEUM - This Perk cannot be delivered until after everything is sorted out, but as part of the process of sorting out and 'stocking' the Museum, David will be creating a catalogue of all the items, including photographs. This is therefore a copy of that PDF Catalogue. This will be emailed to you when completed.

Because this was not added at the start, from the point we made this live, everyone who bought a perk or donated over £20 will also receive this as part of their package. You don't need to do anything as we have your details!

This is Unlimited. (£20)

If we reach £20,000 of budget then new and exciting stretch goals will be added. Keep looking!

The Impact

I am sure you already realise how important this private museum could be to help showcase a huge chunk of ‘Doctor Who’ history, something that has never been done before. There have been displays of merchandise at some of the official ‘Doctor Who’ exhibitions, but nothing on this scale, and nothing permanent, which can grow as the years pass.

We hope to allow others to make use of the museum space for product launches, and to hold limited-attendance open days with guests … Once it’s all up and running, we hope it will become somewhere which can be visited (with prior arrangement) and which forms an important part in the documentation and preservation of the show’s unique history and cultural impact. It is certainly a place where the merchandise history will be well represented – for the very first time.

Risks & Challenges

The only risk here is that if we don’t reach our goal then the project could be delayed. That’s why we need your help to make this work.

We promise to make regular updates during the campaign as well as during the construction work as it happens.

At this time we don’t know when this work will be complete, but our aim is to have the museum up and running within one year of the end of the campaign. Which we feel is realistic if we achieve all of the budget. (Aiming for Summer 2018 for the Sponsor's open day)

As the campaign progresses, and we know how much money is in we will be making arrangements with the builders to begin as soon as possible. We will then have a clear view of when this will be ready.

What happens if you don’t get enough money?

Firstly, there are some things we could do without which aren't absolutely essential and so we can stretch the budget to get us there in the event that we don’t get all of the money, however, we want this to be as good as it possibly can be. For example we may have to forego the TARDIS entrance, and the new UPVC doors. Money may not stretch to making the reception area as nice as we would like it be – but the museum aspect would have priority.

We are also in talks with a private sponsor who is willing to consider helping if we make most of the target. So – it’s important to raise as much as possible to make this happen! And if we do make the target, they may invest to put in some extra surprises.

If the worst happens and far too little is raised we will refund everyone and we will take the hit on the indiegogo fees. (Obviously we don’t want this scenario to happen, so please do your best to help where you can!!). Any physical perks already fulfilled would NOT be subject to this refund.

AS A FOOTNOTE TO THIS - We are currently looking into other ways we can raise the money ourselves to ensure that the museum DOES happen and that all of your faith and confidence in the campaign is rewarded.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help – so help us by sharing the campaign on pages and forums where you think like-minded people reside who might be able and interested.

So …

• Help us get the word out and make some noise about the campaign. This will only make it more likely for us to reach our goals.
• Use the Indiegogo share tools to make this easier.
• Even giving £1 could help. If 30,000 people did that then we would get this money together easily.