Below are a collection of photos taken one week ago in Cardiff by correspondent John Williams as preparation began for the filming of "The Christmas Invasion" there, including shots of the department store being converted to Henrik's (complete with holiday angels); there are no actors present (although Billie Piper is seen from behind in one), as they are mostly shots of the production crew, but also an interesting look at the setup (with director James Hawes checking a shot angle on a tri-ladder, and the Confidential crew seen doing interviewing.) Also included below are Williams' reports from that location from last week; click on the spoiler tag for further details.

Monday 8 August

Having got word of the filming at the intersection of Wharton and Trinity Streets in Cardiff on Monday and Tuesday night this week through fellow Timelessö (Cardiff DWAS-LG) members, I successfully persuaded my wife to join me for a night of Whospotting. Arriving at around 7pm on Monday night, we found that a 30 ft Christmas tree was in the process of being decorated. Several Christmas market stalls were already in position, and both Howells and Waterstones bookstore window displays had jumped back in time to last Christmas (the sale offer dates on the display posters ended 12/04!). Oh, and you can get 3 for 2 Who novels, though itÆs unlikely that either of these elements will show up on screen.

After an hour or so of not a lot really, we decided to quench our thirst at the æis it?Æ bar next door. From our pavement table vantage point we watched more set dressing, before kindly being asked to move to allow for the arrival of a double-decker bus. Billy then arrived with Noel Clarke, and we watched several minutes of rehearsals. This comprised of them both running from something behind the market stalls. Apart from setting up the camera tracks and lighting rigs, it went quiet for a long time and we called it a night at 11pm.

Tuesday 9 August

This evening we were treated to a lot more action, as filming began at around 10.30pm. The first shot involved many extras dressed in heavy winter clothes, carrying Christmas shopping bags and presents. Before shooting, we were warned that the scene involved a series of explosions, and the police were asked to call HQ to warn them. Action had already occurred next to us in the crowd, where two less than appreciative drunken ônon-fansö had been cautioned by the police for the language they were using, which unfortunately including obscenities towards Billy.

Blocked mainly by the Christmas tree, the scene began shooting. Extras ran in terror with Rose and Mickey running through the stalls hand-in-hand, explosions going off around them. One of our less than courteous drunken neighbours shouted during the scene and was promptly marched away by the police once æcutÆ was called. Both Phil Collinson and James Hawes seemed more than happy with the result though, and the scene wasn't reshot.

We watched several more scenes being shot, most of which involved explosions from different camera angles. During one shot, an explosion went off just as Noel Clarke ran past it. He was thrown to the ground and the crew rushed over to him. Fortunately he seemed only to have sustained a ringing in his right ear, although it continued to aggravate him for some time afterwards.

As we called it a night again at 12.30, the next scene was to include 4 largely built Santas brandishing deadly brass instruments!

According to Amazon, BBC Audio will release the complete soundtrack of the classic story The Reign of Terror on February 6, 2006. "The Reign of Terror" is the final story of the first season, and will join the other serials already released on CD, with linking narration (likely provided by William Russell, who has voiced others in the series). (Thanks to Gareth Jelley)

David Tennant will participate in a web chat on the CBBC website from 5.30 to 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 August; the site is currently taking questions from readers of the BBC sites for him to answer. Tennant is expected to appear soon after he visits the "Blue Peter" set on Wednesday.

Scificollector has sent us this image of a new Doctor Who "Dalek watch" due out later in the year; the site also contains details about some of the other products coming out soon, as well as a page for the Character Options range. "As an extra incentive for Outpost Gallifrey readers," says Scificollector, "we will add a free signed Doctor Who print of either Tom Baker, Peter Davison or Sylvester McCoy worth £15 on request only for all orders over £50 placed on these Autmun/Fall launches. Stock is expected after 12 September. The request must be stated at the time of purchase, and if ordering by internet this must be stated in the Additional Comments section." You can click on the image at right to see the artwork for the new Dalek watch.

Nebulous, the sci-fi comedy series written by Graham Duff (who wrote the Big Finish audio "Faith Stealer") and produced by Baby Cow for BBC Radio 4 returns for a brand new series in Spring 2006... and special guest star Peter Davison plays Dr Diplodicus in the episode "The Deptford Wives". Says the press information from Radio 4 sent to Outpost Gallifrey: "The year is 2099 and eco scientist Professor Nebulous (Mark Gatiss) discovers that the recent spate of male deaths are all down to one thingà.Deptford Wives. Nebulous sets off to save the world's husbands by tracking down Dr Diplodicus at his bride-breeding sanctuary 'Wife-assic Park'àand comes face to face with a herd of wild Stephanies, and a two hundred and fifty foot Vanessa." More details on the exact broadcast date when we get them.

The BBC Kids advance online schedule shows a promotion for Doctor Who in the lineup effective Monday 29 August. On weeknights, Doctor Who will now air twice - Midnight and 5AM EDT, replacing the previous 2AM EDT only broadcast. 2 episodes per day as before. First story in the new time periods - Snakedance. On weekends, Doctor Who will continue being shown in complete stories one time at 2AM EDT. With this change, the weeknight showings will be easier for Canadian viewers to tune in and watch. Not easy, but the best it has been since at least 2003. For the various Canadian time zones: Newfoundland: Weeknights 1:30AM and 6:30AM (2 episodes), Weekends 3:30AM (complete stories). Atlantic (ADT or AST): Weeknights 1AM and 6AM (2 episodes), Weekends 3AM (complete stories). Eastern (EDT or EST): Weeknights Midnight and 5AM (2 episodes), Weekends 2AM (complete stories). Central (CDT or CST): Weeknights 11PM and 4AM (2 episodes), Weekends 1AM (complete stories). Mountain (MDT or MST): Weeknights 10PM and 3AM (2 episodes), Weekends Midnight (complete stories). Pacific (PDT or PST): Weeknights 9PM and 2AM (2 episodes), Weekends 11PM (complete stories). (Thanks to Benjamin Elliott / This Week in Doctor Who)

Saturday's edition of The Herald featured a profile of John Barrowman (Captain Jack), including an interview and his comments about his life and career, his partner and ideas on marriage and adoption. "Growing up in Illinois, I used to get bullied a lot for being Scottish. Other kids would shout things like, 'You wear a dress,' and they thought we lived in mud huts. Most of all, though, they made fun of the accent. And no-one likes to get picked on or bullied for being different, especially not at eight years old. So I thought, 'Screw you. I'm going to beat you at your own game.' I just wanted to blend in, and that's why I taught myself how to speak with an American accent." He says "I will be coming back... But no date has been set. That's the official answer." You can read the full article at the website.

Newsquest Media reports that Christopher Eccleston "has found something to keep him busy after leaving Dr Who - trying to save Manchester's historic Victoria Baths. The television star from Little Hulton visited the baths to pledge his support for the campaign to restore them. The Edwardian building was voted as the country's favourite on BBC2's Restoration programme in 2003, and was awarded ú3.5 million to do the necessary repair work. But campaigners Friends of Victoria Baths say an extra ú16.5 million is needed." The Manchester Evening News quotes him as saying, "I've dealt with bouts of unemployment for 20 years. My ambition now is simply to swim in Victoria Baths. Coming in here today, I can smell the chlorine and hear the voices. The worst thing that could happen would be for the baths to be converted for private use. I learned to swim at Walkden Baths, where my mum was the aerotone and sauna attendant for around 20 years. This reminds me, to some extent, of those years. My hope is that working class kids from the area will soon be able to swim here again." He added: "All my success has been down to my upbringing in Salford and Manchester. My background, the values I was taught and the formative experiences I had at places like this."

Reviews of Billie Piper's film Spirit Trap (mostly negative, unfortunately), appear at The Telegraph, The Mirror,Sky Movies, Barking and Dagenham Recorder, and in print in the Sun, Leicester Mercury, and the Express ("Amateurish and slow-moving, this is highly unlikely to give anyone sleepless nights") among other papers.

The official Doctor Who website appeals to school children: "Can your reading group review the new books? Does your school have a reading group? If so, we're looking for three groups across the country to give us their comments on the new Doctor Who books that are coming out early next month. Each group chosen will receive five advance copies of one of the three new adventures of the Doctor and Rose. The books are released on September 8, so we'd need comments from each school in by September 10 - we appreciate this is fairly near the start of term, so bear this in mind before applying. Please bear in mind that the stories are suitable for readers over eight."

Other press items: A review of the final episode, "The Parting of the Ways, in the Sydney Morning Herald; and anarticle about an Aussie radio parody of Doctor Who which was popular in the late 70s-early 80s.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Paul Hayes, Elaine Shanks, Peter Weaver)

Due out September 29, Doctor Who: The Interactive Electronic Board Game has been announced at the BBC Shop. "You are the Doctor, travelling through space collecting vital repair components to fix the Tardis, but beware your archenemy the Daleks are out to exterminate you!" says the limited information. The game requires 2 to 6 players (3 x AAA batteries required not included) and is designed for ages 7 and up. Click on the thumbnail for a larger graphic.

Issue 360 of Doctor Who Magazine is not only due... in fact, it's out (at least to subscribers). Here's the release info about this edition (with thanks to Clay Hickman and Tom Spilsbury).

Find out more about the new-look Tenth Doctor - including some exclusive images not seen anywhere else - in the latest issue of the official Doctor Who Magazine!

In this month's edition, executive producer Russell T Davies chats about new Doctor Who, David Tennant, in the second part of our exclusive interview: "David worked very closely with our new costume designer, Louise Page, on the Tenth Doctor's look. We've been talking loose ties, scruffy jackets and sneakers for months now. It's good to see them at last! It's a little bit punk, a bit scruffy, a bit student-y, even a bit schoolboy-ish, and yet with the smartness of a suit thrown in. Oh, and I can't tell you the days and days and days of work that went into getting the right pinstripe!"

Meanwhile, Rose's mum - alias Camille Coduri - chats about Jackie's close encounters; production designer Ed Thomas talks about his designs for the Doctor's universe; and there's a quick chat with Elisabeth Sladen about her imminent return as Sarah Jane Smith!

On top of this, Gallifrey Guardian reports all the latest news from the Doctor Who set - including exclusive casting news, and more info on November's DVD box set - and an old favourite returns to DWM's pages after many years away!

Plus there's the second part of the new comic strip adventure The Cruel Sea written by Dalek author Robert Shearman; the results of the 2004 DWM survey; reviews of Boom Town, Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways - and all the usual features.

DWM 360 goes on sale on Thursday 18 August, priced ú3.99.