news archive

14-01-08

Dear Harris fans,

Wishing you all a belated happy ‘08 and thanks to all of you that have made ‘07 a good year for the Harris project.

The eighth episode progresses as well as can be expected. At the moment it’s a 1hr 26m very rough cut which will have to be boiled down to just under an hour.

I liken it to a tantalizingly rich sauce that needs to be heavily reduced before it’s ready to become a mouth-watering complement to the meat that is Sharpe.

Thanks to all H7 purchasers and as promised I have held a draw for the Wellington photo plus two runners up.

The lucky winner is: B. Wilkesmann of Berlin, Germany

1st Runner-up: K. Jarmon of Virginia, USA

2ND Runner-up: J. Evans of Manchester, UK

Lastly, there will be a launch for the ‘Sharpe’s Chefs’ at Waterstones, Piccadilly, London, 19th Jan 12:30pm. I will be there with a few of my Chosen mates signing books and whatever else you bring in.

“Comes from the Greek word Demos”

Jason ‘Harris’ Salkey

16 Oct 2007

Dear Harris fans,

The first shots in anger have been fired in the battle to bring you H8 in the greater Harris Diary war. Please forgive the mangled metaphor.

The action picks up in South eastern Turkey as we near Christmas and the final turnover of the fourth series.

In the mean time episode seven can still be had along with all other episodes. With purchase of H7 you're automatically entered to win a signed photo of Hugh Fraser [Wellington]. Winner to be drawn at the end of November.

Just before that, another Sharpe related item will be on sale: Sharpe Chefs (ordering link). A recipe book with contributions from Sean, myself and other Sharpe luminaries. All proceeds go to the National Osteoporosis Society and will be out in time for doing your Christmas shopping.

'Courtier to my lord Bacchus'

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

20th September 2007

Dear Harris fans,

I got there in the end, another episode in 'the can'; which means according to my projections there will be three more instalments, taking us up to my final minutes on Sharpe! But there's still plenty of unused footage which, you never know, could be moulded in to something interesting.

Forgive the yearly interludes between helpings of Harris but I'm trying to maintain the quality you've become accustomed to. Work on H8 has yet to begin in earnest, but once the first flush of H7's release is over I'll get stuck in.

Over the summer I managed to squeeze some festival appearances in between my trip down Sharpe memory lane: as promised, a report on my Ukraine trip later. At the final show of the year, 'Blast from the Past' I was joined by my old Chosen mucker Lyndon 'Perkins' Davies [see photos]

Remember, ordering your copy of H7 now will enter you for a chance to win a signed photo of Hugh Fraser.

"I can read sir"

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

Gripping my Baker like my life depends on it at the Kelmarsh English Heritage Festival of History - Aug 07

My teacher from Chosen Man school, Richard Moore, dressed as a highway man. In the background is his
partner in crime and a Hagman look-a-like - Kelmarsh 07

Marilyn Standfast, of the Sharpe's Appreciation Society stands fast by our table of goodies.
All your Sharpe needs and more will be met at our stall - Cliveden 07

Lyndon and I play one of the 'powers'' favorite game: Chosen Man killing- Cliveden 07

Dear Harris fans,

At long last episode seven of the diaries is ready for release and I'm feeling this instalment could be the cream of the crop. As always you'll be the judge of that!

The actual tape is at the duplicators and I'm hoping to get all of my copies delivered in days. Anyone on my database will be receiving a release notification e-mail, others can order straight away. Everyone who orders will be entered in the draw to win a signed photo of the actor playing Wellington, Hugh Fraser.

Release of H7 means I'll have copies for sale at Kelmarsh Hall [11/12 Aug] for the English Heritage Festival of History where I shall be joining the team from the Sharpe's Appreciation Society.

Looking ahead, I'll be at Cliveden [9/10 Sept] for 'Blast from the Past'. I'm trying to arrange a few blasts from Sharpe past at this event to join me at the table, confirmation of this closer to the day.

The day after Kelmarsh I shall be stepping on to a plane to Yalta via Istanbul where I'll visit the in-laws plus re-visit a few old Sharpe haunts and battle fields; a report and photos about this trip later in the year.

"Prima facie looks bad"

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

Festival of History 11/12 August 2007
Kelmarsh Hall
Nr Kettering, Northants.
http://www.kelmarsh.com/event_details.asp?id=92

Blast from the past 8/9 September 2007
Cliveden
Taplow
Maidenhead, Bucks SL6 0JA.
http://www.eventplan.co.uk/

Meeting with old Sharpe crew: Saint [Boom Operator] /Guy Pugh [Sean's Assistant] Tanya [Make -up]
Guy and Tanya are another Sharpe marriage for the list, you'll recognise them all from the diaries

Martin Parfitt Sharpe's Appreciation Society armoury expert gives an interview for live radio
while Chris Clarke and daughter look on

7/06/07

Dear Harris fans,

I'm pleased to announce some good news for German Sharpe fans; there are plans to release the Sharpe DVD box set with German sub-titles. As part of the bonus material on the DVD package they want to use selected clips from the Harris films. I will write comments to accompany the clips, subtitled and translated into German; I'm not sure when the release date is.

Unfortunately, it means I've had to suspend work on episode seven which means I've had to alter the release date. Work is back under way and it shouldn't be long before the next instalment is finally ready.

A good time was had by all at the year's first events: The Napoleonic Festival at Cressing Temple and the 95th rifle re-enactment at Wellington Country Park. The former was well attended but rainy and at the later we were graced with the presence of Rifleman Perkins.

Next appearance will be at the Colchester Military Festival where I'll be with Chris Clarke et al on the Sharpe's Appreciation Society table. It's quite a big event, with spectacular land and air displays and just about every period in military history is represented.

From a broken down scribbler!

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

Sat/Sun June 15/16 2007
Colchester Military Festival
Abbey Field
Colchester
Essex

http://www.eventplan.co.uk

Chris Clarke, esteemed leader of the SAS tries to deflect the paparazzi my way

A pretty impressive set of rafters inside the big Barn at Cressing Temple

At Cressing Temple for the Napoleonioc Fair

Dear Harris fans,

It's festival time again and first up is an appearance at Wellington Country Park [Nr Reading], 5-7 May. Following quickly on one week later is the 14th International Napoleonic fair at Cressing Temple [Nr Braintree]. On both occasions I'll be with joining forces with the Sharpe's Appreciation Society.

http://www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.57

http://www.internationalnapoleonicfair.com

In between getting ready for these events I'll still be burrowing away with H7. I've recorded all but the last five pages of narration script and hope to have the finished article at one or both of the above events.

All the best

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

Dear Harris fans,

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported the Harris project over the past year; the release of H6 and the Indian Sharpe comeback episode really helped to boost interest.

I'm not sure what the Sharpe producers have got in mind for the future, but I'm sure we'll have another slice of the Harris pie in 2007.

The first rough cut of H7 is done and I'm just finalising the latest draft of the narration script, so it's just a few months of fine tuning and polishing away from release.

As always check this site for news of H7, but nearest guestimate says early May. In the means time there will be a 10% discount on sets of DVDs and photo sets.

Also still on offer: nice price for those wanting to replace old episodes of Harris on VHS with the new fangled DVD version.

The photos are from a 'celebration of a great story teller' at the headquarters of publisher Harper Collins. It was a wonderfully afternoon made blurry by copious amounts of Spanish wine and a trip to the pub.

All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

The wife and I with the great story teller himself

Harris with the one who didn't create me and the one that killed me off

Dear Harris fans,

The heat of a Crimean or Turkish summer never felt as debilitating as the summer we're experiencing here in London and I'm having trouble making noticeable progress in putting H7 together.
That, a few small work commitments and a certain football tournament haven't helped productivity levels either.

Never the less, work on the body of the film is underway, the script is slowly being cranked out and I'm sure we'll have Harris 7 ready for you all by early in the new year (hopefully!)

I've done a few appearances in the heat including a full Chosen Man (plus Harper) reunion at Autographica 06 held at the Radisson Edwardian hotel, Heathrow. It was very special being back together with the lads after all these years, though having Sean there would have been fantastic; we know this sort of thing isn't his scene.

Of course I have many photos of the day which along with an account of the day will very soon be posted on this site. Hello to everyone we met that day (sorry about the high price of the signed photos) and thanks to Paul of the 1st 95th Rifles re-enactors who provided a superb accompaniment.

Hello also to the good folk of Colchester and environs who came out in the furnace-like conditions to the Military festival held near Colchester garrison. Apache helicopters, Roman Legionaries and Confederate troops blended seamlessly to provide an interesting day.

My next appearances will be with the S.A.S. at the English Heritage Festival of History in Kelmarsh (12th/13th Aug) and Blast from the Past at Cliveden (Sept 9th /10th)

If you are in the area, do pop along and say hello to me and the girls from the Sharpe's Appreciation Society. I'll have great deals on Harris DVDs/Videos and lots of wonderful photographs from the Harris Collection.

All the best
'Democracy, sir!'

Jason 'Harris' Salkey

"In the heady pre-World Cup days, Paul Trussel imitates Peter Crouch much to Mike Mears'
amusement. I think it best not to speculate on what John Tams is saying"

"For the first time in thirteen years and two months the guys that survived
two actors playing Sharpe, together again in one room."

"We pose for a photo session. Having run out of weapons for me to hold, a harp
is thrust in to my hands with devastating results to the enemy"

"This was the reason we all gathered, signing photos and meeting the public"

Dear Harris fans,

This past few weeks has been a busy time for this former Chosen man. I was present at the tenth anniversary of the SAS as well as attending a multi- history event at Rufford Abbey.[See photos] Hello again to anyone that came out to these events As well as putting in an appearance at those events I've taken delivery of my H6 stock from the duplicators, so anyone who was waiting to order the sixth episode, you now can.

Coming up in the first weekend at June is Autographica 06, an event that will reunite all five original Chosen Men for the first time. Daragh O'Malley, work permitting, will also be joining us at the Raddisson Edwardian hotel in Heathrow. www.autographica.co.uk

The offer to anyone on my data base who wants to replace their Harris VHS tapes for DVDs is still open. Contact me by e-mail [or post] and I will arrange a very attractive price.

There have been new photos for sale added to the Harris Collection as well a few other items on the site.

Jason 'Harris' Salkey
'Defence d'entrer'

RICHARD MOORE & ME: The military advisor from Sharpe, taught me everything about being a Chosen man and
tweaked my imagination on all things Napoleonic. At a multi history event at Rufford Abbey, Notts.

HUGH FRASER & MIKE MEARS: The stars of Sharpe came out to celebrate
the tenth birthday of the Sharpe's Appreciation Society.

WELLINGTON DIRECTS FIRE: Lyndon and I get to grips with some old friends,
Mr & Mrs Baker while Hugh keeps a watchful eye.

JOHN KAVANAGH & CHRIS CLARKE: Here's the actor who played Father Curtis in 'Sword'
with Chris Clarke, chairperson of the Sharpe's Appreciation Society

3rd May 2006

Dear Harris fans,

Harris 6 is complete; I am now ready to take orders for your copy.

My trip to the Tellynation convention went well; it was a small affair as it was their first, but the attendees were nice people and the guests weren't too shabby either. (See photos).

Following quickly on the heels of Tellynation was my visit to the Napoleonic Fair and then the screening of Sharpe's Challenge. Much to my surprise Sean and Daragh were in on the guest list (See photos).

I will be attending more gigs coming up and it looks like I've talked some of the boys in to joining me at Autographica 2006, more information on that event closer to the time.

I will be joining the SAS for an event at Wellington Country Park, Reading over the Bank Holiday weekend.
http://www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/

And again on May 20-21 at 'Rufford Through the Ages' at Rufford County Park in Nottinghamshire.
http://www.eventplan.co.uk/Rufford06.htm

All the clips have been chosen for the construction of H7, next will be a lot of diary reading and narration script writing. An element that I think elevates the Harris diaries above the run of the mill behind the scenes DVD. I would say that wouldn't I?

A full H6 screen capture preview can now be seen in the gallery.

All the best
Jason 'Harris' Salkey
'Democracy, sir!'

Honoured to meet veteran of screen and voice over, Burt Kwouk at Tellynation, Swindon.

First prize in the Tom Clegg look-alike contest.
Here I am with another British TV legend, Brian Murphy.

To think my agent said the other day 'You couldn't even get arrested in this town'.
Accosted by a Dalek at Tellynation.

The Sharpe & Harris show revival at a screening for Sharpe's Challenge.

Sean with three members of the Sutherland clan. Stuart, Alejandro and Zeyneb.
Just check the end credits of Sharpe's Challenge!

24th March 2006

Dear Harris fans,

Post production of Harris 6 is almost complete; I hope to take the finished episode to the duplicators in the first week of April.

April also sees the beginning of the autograph signing season: on the first of April I will be at 'Tellynation' at the Swindon Hilton Hotel. For details go to their web site www.tellynation.com

On the very next day I'll be rejoining the SAS for their assault on the Napoleonic Fair in the Alban Centre, St Albans. And here is a link to their site all information: www.internationalnapoleonicfair.com

Hopefully, I'll see some of you at one of these two gigs; if not, there will be plenty of other opportunities later in the year.

In the meantime work has begun on H7, so there's no rest for the wicked.Enjoy the H6 preview below, a full gallery of screen captures will appear later.

All the best
Jason 'Harris' Salkey
'Democracy, sir!'

H6 SCREEN CAPTURE PREVIEW