10 Greatest Star Trek Convention Moments

When asked for memories of her first Star Trek convention at the opening ceremony of Destination Star Trek London 2012, Kate Mulgrew replied, "I don’t remember my first, but I remember my favourite, and it was here in England […] in Blackpool". That was the Voyager: The Return convention in July 2001 at the Norbreck Castle Hotel. This writer should know as the 13-year-old version of him was there amongst the more than 3,000 other fans.

Star Trek: Voyager was coming to an end that year — Endgame hadn't yet aired in the UK — and a lot of the cast was in Blackpool to celebrate the homecoming. Mulgrew notably offered a free autograph to everyone attending (this writer still has his), and on the Sunday, Patrick Stewart made a surprise appearance.

Robert Picardo gave a hilarious opening stand-up routine, joking about the oddities of British naming practices. Black… Pool… ?! Why not "Scum Puddle" instead? Planning on "bangers and mash for lunch," he didn't know what was for dinner, but was sure he'd be having "a spotted dick with cream" for dessert.

Another highlight came during the auctions for Mulgrew's Alzheimer's charity. The actress offered up an annotated and signed script of Hunters, which sold for a whopping £5,500! Later, Keegan de Lancie auctioned a pair of his dad's underwear, marked "To boldly go" on the front, signed and sealed "John de Lancie (shat) sat here" on the back. "They're clean, but they have been worn," Keegan added, before putting the pants over his head to prove it.