19th MARCH: REMEMBERING PATRICK McGOOHAN

NEW BOOK FROM DAVID BARRIE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Could this be the ultimate book written about The Prisoner?

David Barrie publishes new book with a foreword by Catherine McGoohan to be launched at PortmeiriCon 2026

Six of One are delighted to announce that the compelling new book from society co-founder David Barrie is available for pre-order.

What’s it all About is a thoughtful and

provocative work that invites readers to look

at The Prisoner and its messages with

renewed curiosity and vigour.

There have been many Prisoner publications

over the years but few have confronted the

‘big’ questions, let alone attempted to

provide answers. In development for over 5

years and based on decades of research and

reflection, this book is a tour de force and

one you will not want to miss.

At around 600 pages, this is a dense volume and includes the obvious 17 chapters plus additions, with a foreword from Catherine McGoohan and contributions from Robin Llywelyn of Portmeirion and essays by Norma West, (the observer, 'Dance of the Dead'), and Roger Parkes, (writer, 'A Change of Mind').

There have been many books written on the topic of The Prisoner. Whether discussing individual episodes, the concepts behind the series or discussing the creator and star of the show, Patrick McGoohan. The publication of What’s It All About? The Prisoner: Question Everything written by David Barrie, may be the first to encompass all those areas and more.

David has been intrigued by the programme since first seeing its filming in Portmeirion. Members will be well aware of the deep love of the programme that David has along with his extensive knowledge and insight of everything ‘Prisoner’ related.

What’s it All About? The Prisoner: Question Everything takes a deep dive into every episode discussing the themes, commenting on the script and looking beyond the scenes of the programme.

Is this the ultimate book on the subject? A bold claim to make for a topic that has had so much written about it since its first airing. If anyone is best placed to write the definitive book, it is David Barrie. Fascinated from the first episode, the question he often hears is, ‘What is it all about?’ Like the show’s main protagonist, he has spent many years searching for the answers.

This book represents a lifetime of investigating, questioning and seeking out those involved in the series from writers to actors and directors; he has genuinely questioned everything; from the messages in the story through to the personality of the man behind it all, Patrick McGoohan.

Over the years, David has interviewed many who have been involved with the programme; actors, writers, directors and many others involved in the programme, all offering their experiences and anecdotes of their time on the show. He also considers bigger themes that were part of the zeitgeist at the time of the programme airing, questioning, discussing and not afraid to tackle the big subjects.

Patrick McGoohan had an overriding mantra, ‘question everything,’ and that is exactly what David Barrie has done in this book, encouraging readers to do the same with his Points2Ponder at the end of each episode chapter.

Take a journey through every episode with input from those involved with the programme and David’s astute insight and deliberation taking the reader far beyond the series.

If you have ever been intrigued by the programme, wondered who Number 6 is, or are fascinated by how much social commentary can be presented in a television drama, this book is for you, complete with many black and white and colour photographs providing the reader with chances to see behind the scenes.

Is it the definitive book on The Prisoner? Read it and make up your own mind.

FBS Publishing are delighted that David Barrie will be launching his book at this year’s PortmeiriCon, giving attendees the opportunity to hear him speak about the book. Buy a copy in advance of the official publication date and get it signed in the day. There will be a small number of books available on the day however, to secure a copy, please pre order by 06^th April.

Members not able to attend will also be able to order a copy in advance direct from the publisher.

Convention attendees wishing to pre order and secure their copy on the day can place an order here: Order for collection at the Convention

Anyone else who would like to order a copy for dispatch the week after the convention can order here: Order for delivery from May

Visit FBS Publishing www.fbs-publishing.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

For further information from FBS Publishing please contact us.

Contact: Theresa Cutts: theresa@fbs-publishing.co.uk

Website: www.fbs-publishing.co.uk

Please note that there will be a very limited number of copies available for purchase at the Convention, but we advise people to reserve their copy as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

This is a landmark event for Six of One and the team are looking forward to welcoming everyone to yet another super Convention.

REMEMBERING LEO MCKERN

PORTMEIRICON 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT - OUTDOOR EVENTS SCHEDULE

GERMAN GROUP ANNOUNCEMENT

PORTMEIRICON GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - BRIAN GORMAN

SIX OF ONE - HELP ME SET UP A NEW SOCIETY ARCHIVE

and fragile, and not likely to be able to be replaced should they become damaged or lost. Our task is to create a working archive with a known and regulated content and accountability for the items within it. It is a big job and it will take a while, but we can make a start on it now.

I anticipate we will have a large range of types of material and formats, including, but not restricted to: articles, letters, audio and visual recordings, as well as some physical items such as costumes, or props. Once I know what we have, I will create a plan for our archive, and this is where you come in. Can you help me to find our resources? Our first job is to create an inventory of materials, and for this I’ll need your help. Do you have any materials including physical items, audio visual recordings that were bought, created, recorded on behalf of or donated to Six of One? This includes any materials or interviews created or recorded on behalf of the society. This would exclude any items that you bought personally, or anything that was gifted to you personally, unless you’d like to donate these.

I am starting this archive from scratch. Historically, six of one have not had a base to store or display any materials and before we start to actively seek a location, we need to know what we have. If there were any items that were previously donated that you may know of or have access to, please let me know.

To start creating the inventory of what we have, please send over to me the details of the item/s you have and are willing to donate: what it is, the format (is it paper, digital, DVD, video, photo etc) the date the content was created, it’s condition, and the size. If you do have something rare, we’d need to be able to trace its provenance – where did it come from? We’ll also need to think about copyright too.

Once I have an idea about what items there are, we can draw up a plan together about how to ensure fair access whilst also ensuring that these items are kept safe, for now and the future!

Details of how to contact me will be published in Issue 11, the summer edition of Degree Absolute, published in June 2026.

Thank you very much – and Be Seeing You!

PORTMEIRICON 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT SUNDAY NIGHT WRAP PARTY

CONVENTION 2026 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

UPDATED PATRICK MCGOOHAN RESOURCE SITE

PORTMEIRICON 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT - ROBIN LLEWELYN

As part of the celebrations for 100 Years of Portmeirion, the managing director of Portmeirion and Sir Clough's grandson Robin Llewelyn will join us to discuss the history and highlights of the past century of Portmeirion, the impact of The Prisoner on the village and a look ahead to some of the many events planned to celebrate Portmeirion's centenary.

The convention is now fully subscribed and tickets are no longer available, however all outdoor events are open to all day visitors to Portmeirion.