The Sci Fi weekend saw the National Space Centre invaded by an array of characters, movie props, costumes, vehicles, star signings and the Alien Encounter.
The event also had several other groups in attendance adding to the UK Garrison to make a very special weekend, members of the Alien Legacy, Hyde Fundraisers, Exewing, UKCM and the staff from NSC. Star signings during the weekend included Al Matthews (Sgt Apone from Aliens), Colin Baker (Dr Who), Terry Malloy (Davros from Dr Who), John Leeson (voice of K9 from Dr Who), as well as Terry English who designed some of the costume pieces for Aliens (but also made the amazing armour for the film Excaliber), Terry also had some props on display which included a helmet from Alien 3, some marine armour as well as some lovely fantasy armour. A couple of lucky girls (Teri & Kris) got to wear some of the armour and proudly paraded around the space centre! Another great attraction was Harry Harris's Aliens prop collection; wow loads of really cool stuff including pretty much all of the main characters costumes as well as an alien! There were lots of the other props and costumes from film and television which included Serenity, Starship
s, Constantine, Riddick and Doctor Who among others. To compliment the Dr Who stand there were Darleks, Cybermen, Davros and K9 in attendance and other weird and wonderful characters! Another really interesting attraction was a make up session with Prosthetic Make Up Artist and Animatronic Model Designer Karl Derrick (The Hills have eyes, Gladiator) who made some of the UK Garrison members into the terrifying Borg from Star Trek Next Generation. This was a fascinating demonstration of special effects make up using prosthetics and costume to transform someone into a half human half-machine character. As usual the Garrison photo stand was up and running and doing very well and raising over £700! Well done to all involved! As well as the usual merchandise stalls there was a Delorian car on show similar to the one used in Back to the Future. There was many characters walking around the event to add to the sci fi atmosphere which included Colonial Marines, Predator, Dame Darko from Riddick, Darth Vader and Stormtrooper, Selene from Underworld, Robocop.
In my opinion the main attraction of the event had to be the Alien Encounter, billed as " A truly terrifying walk through experience at the Weyland Yutani Biological Research Facility based at the National Space Centre." Victims oops sorry, visitors were taken into the facility to watch a presentation film of the safety procedures and the rules and regulations of being allowed in this classified facility. Once they had done this they were escorted into main control lab where they were met by Professor Carabas and his team who were working at consoles with an impressive bank of screens with Weyland Yutani programmes and footage being played. The Professor talked the visitors through the experiments and research that they were working on which included alien eggs and using test volunteers!! Halfway through this the alarms suddenly go off and panic sets in as a group of marine’s rush in and explain it's not a drill and there has been a containment breach in quarantine. With the need of getting the visitors out quickly the marines have to escort them out safely so order the visitors to stick to them closely and not to touch anything! Leaving the scientists to fend for themselves the marines move out and into a dimly lit corridor with a very scary atmosphere! With the Sarge leading the group forward and a marine covering the back of the group the visitors are huddled in the middle. All of a sudden the main control lab where they had just come from eminated horrifying screams as the scientists are killed off. As Sarge tells the group to stay away from the alien egg in the corridor he moves up to activate the airlock, as he does so a scarily familiar sound can be heard. All of a sudden an alien appears in front of them, with the effect of a strobe light giving a very scary feeling the group fall back with the marines giving surpressing fire. As they back up another alien appears from behind the group coming from the main control lab. With the group trapped the sarge manages to push back the first alien so the group can escape into the airlock and into the next section. Unfortunately the marine who was covering the rear of the group was KIA. With very nervous marines waiting in the next section the group are ushered in whilst the sarge checks the room is cleared and safe, whilst they take a breather a marine picks up movement on the motion tracker. Trying to lock down the signal panic starts to set in as confusion and fear build up with the signal reading being only a few metres away. All of a sudden the power goes down leaving the room in almost complete darkness, with the signal getting closer and closer the marines suddenly look up at the ceiling expecting an alien to drop through. With everyone looking at the ceiling 2 aliens appear from behind one of the consoles and charge toward the group, with the marines taken by surprise, they manage to hold off the aliens so sarge can lead the group out to the corridor. As they try to break out, the door jams and the sarge orders the group to retreat, as the group turns around they are faced with 2 aliens walking towards them. Blocking the escape route with only one marine in-between them and the aliens, the sarge try’s the door again and manages to free it. With the group fleeing to safety another marine bites the dust saving the group!
The reaction from the groups of public leaving the Alien Encounter spoke volumes, some where laughing very nervously, some were crying, some hyperventilated and some where shaking! With people getting the reactions from the groups as they came out, the comments ranged from "very entertaining" to "I have never been so scared in my life". With all the hard work, blood sweat and tears that was put into this experience it paid off big time by just seeing the reaction from the public and the guys who where playing the roles. With it being such a success I won't be surprised to see this event being repeated in the not too distant future! Me personally I had the time of my life, I started the weekend as Ripley walking around the space centre, but my costume not being complete I didn't wear it too much. I was talking to the actor Al Matthews for a while who was really nice, and he asked me for my photo, which was very cool! Unfortunately no photo's of me in this kit but when it is complete I will post a couple of photos up on the gallery. The rest of the weekend I was extremely lucky to have the chance to be one of the aliens in the Alien Encounter! Wow what an ace costume I was given for the weekend, I would like to thank the 2 lads who lent me their costume, it fitted me like it was made for me, apart from the head band in the alien head which was really tight! I spent most of the weekend jumping out on very scared public, which was just such fun! I think one lady ended up falling on her bum after I appeared from behind her and scared the bejesus out of her! Everyone who was involved with the AE was just amazing. From the drama queens (in the main control labs) who were in the running for an Oscar for their dying scenes, Gary as the professor (who lived the role not played it), all the marines (who were very convincing), but special mention to Alex for his screams as he was killed by the aliens and Tony for his Hudsonisms as he was killed in the corridor. Richard and Giles for your fantastic tech behind the scenes work, who never saw the light of day! My alien buddies who were in kit for hours on end in hot restricting hardly any vision costumes, and everyone who made this happen, Malika, Geordie, John and anyone else I'm not aware of that worked on it all. Everyone take a bow!
Jo as Alien in top image, Thanks to Kris for group shot and Andy "Battie" Smith for Aliens image
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There is no other way to start this report other than to say this was probably the hottest day of the year so far! A day for shorts and T-shirts not being encased in armour, Jedi robes or any costume that covers you from head to toe! But being the troopers we are the UK Garrison we were true heroes on the day, not disappointing the children and families that this special day was in aid of.Make A Wish Foundation is a very worth while cause, making wishes come true for very sick and terminally ill children, this special Star Wars day was to treat the children and families and the public with a family fun day.
There were the usual stalls and attractions with raffles and tombola to help raise funds for the charity as well as a market in the centre of Oakham. Set up inside the hall (the last surviving part of Oakham castle) among the fabulous collection of horse shoes was the Garrison photo stand, all involved with this including Steve (SL888) as Darth Vader did a sterling job as he was on the stand virtually all day.
The photo stand took £170 during the event, which was donated, to MAWF. Apart from the usual Imperial presence of Vader, Stormtroopers, Tie Fighter Pilot and Biker Scouts, there were also Jedi's, Padme and Obi Wan. Other film characters to compliment the event included Batman, White Power Ranger, Stargate Dr Morley, Matrix Agents and Trinity and the infamous Ghostbusters! With an array of characters like that no wonder the children were full of smiles and laughter all day, I don't think the Garrison members have signed so many autographs at one event!
Some of the highlights of the day had to be posing for photos with the children and seeing the smiles on their faces especially one young lad in a wheelchair being surrounded by Stormtroopers for a photo! I think it made his day!! Another was the cheerleading routine with the addition of the Ghostbusters to a very strange rendition of the Ghostbusters tune. It just show's that the Ghostbusters need to stick to busting ghosts! It certainly was a very funny sight to see Kudo’s to you guys for being such sports! Good to see the Matrix guys keeping a watchful eye on everyone and keeping all in order! I think there was a certain Power Ranger who managed to sneak onto the bouncy castle too, must have been practising his jump kicks! Another fun moment was the Stormtroopers calling the Jedi's out and creating a stand off between the 2 sides. At the end of the day the best way of wrapping up the event was the handing over of a cheque to Amanda from MAWF for £1500 which was donated from the Garrison funds having been raised from past events.
It was a really great troop and was rounded off nicely with a trip to the pub for a get together before everyone went home, thanks to all involved with this troop and my fellow last standers in the pub!
Photos kindly supplied by Garrison members Tony, Kris and Julia
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( 3 / 118 )This appearance by the UK Garrison at the Entertainer Store was in aid of a Star Wars Theme day. The store had it's members of staff dressed in costume with special instore discounts and promotions on lots of Star Wars items. With this being a small event in UK Garrison terms, the day saw a special appearance by Darth Vader and 2 Stormtroopers.
Members in attendance for this event was Mark SL1671, Richard TK 4721 and myself. From the moment we stepped onto the shop floor we were pretty much mobbed the whole time by children and adults a like (big kids and little kids!).For us it was a long day as we were in kit for 5hrs with a couple of short breaks. I think if we had a quid for every photo that was taken of us we would have raised a couple of hundred quid! At one point I think we brought that end of the Bull Ring to a stand still with people gathering around for photo's and wanting to meet us! The whole event went down a storm with the crowds and the store, many a child was frightened this day!
Well I must say it was good to get back in the armour even though it was a very warm day! Well done to Richard for his first troop, you did a sterling job! Mark, what can I say an excellent Vader and a pleasure to troop with you. Look forward to the next one!
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As I was only able to attend the second day (Sunday) of the event, I can only report for the Sunday days of events.
The ever so popular Film and TV Memorabilia exhibition came to Birmingham for its first of two visits this year.
With it's usual array of star signings from film, tv and sport and large selection of stalls, the UK Garrison were there in force.
The star signings ranged from the likes of Red Dwarf, characters from James Bond films, Narnia, Star Wars, Star Trek, Police Academy to name but a few. But the star
signings that seemed to be the main attraction judging from the crowds were from the film "Flash Gordon" with the likes of Sam Jones, Melody Anderson and of course the larger than life Brian Blessed! The Garrison members were there in all their finery with a great collection of movie characters too. The movie characters ranged from Men in Black, Predator, Aliens and Kill Bill. One costume that is worthy of a mention was Terri's Boushh costume form Return of the Jedi, it was amazing, well done Terri.
One nice moment on Sunday was the presentation to the Star Wars actor Jerome Blake, a big supporter of the Garrison, he was presented with his own UK Garrison jacket and an amazing Darth Vader costume that was donated by the Garrison members. Jerome was diagnosed with cancer recently but has continued to work tirelessly for charity.Overall the event was well supported by the crowds and as usual the Garrison was well received by all.
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( 3 / 162 )The UK Garrison visited the childrens wards bearing gifts on a belated Christmas visit with an array of popular colourful movie characters. As the hospital was unable to accommodate the Garrison's visit over the busy Christmas period, a later date was arranged when things were a little quieter. Due to the number of Garrison members in attendance, it was decided 2 groups would be practical so not to crowd the wards. In one group you had the Star Wars troop consisting of Darth Vader, Boba Fett, several Stormtroopers, a Jedi and Padme. In the second group you had the intrepid Ghostbusters and Batman with Andy's fantastic C3PO being wheeled around in an NHS roll cage! Due to the incredible restrictive nature of his costume, the only way Andy could have got around all the wards was with a little help from the NHS!!
The age of the children ranged from very young babies to teenagers. Many of the children had their families with them when we visited and they appreciated us as much as the children. The one thing that a lot of people forget is that the families need support as much as the family member who is ill. It can be a very stressful time for all involved when someone is seriously ill and the carers are sometimes overlooked in it all, so it was really a double pleasure to put smiles on everyones faces. A few younger children were a little frightened when the stormtroopers appeared but were soon reassured that things were ok when the Garrison members removed their helmets to show there were smiling faces behind the scary helmets (in most cases!)
One of the Garrison members managed to get his company to donate a portable television and another donation of a playstation 2 for the childrens wards which was very much appreciated and will certainly be put to good use by the children.
The look on the sick childrens faces was lovely to see, it was obvious some were very ill and in great discomfort, but they still managed to smile and forget their illness for just a short moment whilst the characters chatted and joked with the children. Sometimes it's the smaller more intimate events such as these that are some of the most enjoyable and rewarding. Look forward to the next one.
Photo kindly supplied by UK Garrison events page
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