WHAT A DAY!!!
This post will also be uploaded to the Droid Builders UK website, events page, so for more events attended by the Droid Builders, checkout the the link here.
It was that time of year again, the Droid Builders invaded #Bristol, for our now annual, Summer event.
This was our fourth event, our biggest attended by Builders and also by the public.
I didn’t get to take many photos myself, so photo credit to fellow builders and my Brother.
Saturday 6th July:
Saw Mike Berry & Chris Williams and myself arrive early to set up everything, well they were early…
……ready for the big day. I wasn’t THAT late 😂
Sunday 7th July:
Arriving early [7:15am] to organise things with Mike with Helen (& family) and myself. It was cloudy but dry. The outside advertising boards were put out at strategic locations to catch the most foot traffic. An area just to the side of the Museum, allowed easy access for unloading and parking had been kindly been made available for us.
Mr & Mrs Maker, arrived early doors to unload T1-FNY.
26 Club members signed up, four were 'spotters' these are helpers of droids being driven. They help keep the public in check lol whilst the operator, operates.
The area inside was arranged with the intention that the droids could be lined up, but we had that many that it was basically just cram them in wherever lol.
Here are just some of the droids, big thanks to Billy for the use of these photos.
 |
| Droid lineup |
 |
| Droids grouped together |
We had a few props table next, Chris & Helen displayed 3D printed items.
 |
| Photo credit: Kim Atkins |
Our VIP for the day, was Sarah (as TC-14, silver) & would have been Chris (as C-3P0, gold).
Of course everyone is special, but unless you have, AND wear, a Protocol Droid suit at an event, then you are a VIP!!! If you've worn any sort of armour/costume, you will be aware of how limiting it can be, wearing a Protocol Droid suit is this x100%. Apart from from having to fit yourself into one, the face [head] is an extremely tight fit with very limited vision AND it can feel very claustrophobic! Both these builders were in attendance last year at Celebration Europe 2023 as well as other Club attended events.
Event Begins:
Organising, helping to unload droids and set them up, before I knew it, it was 10am.
The public was allowed in and within minutes the whole room was packed!! It was like this for the next few hours. Then the rain came mid morning . This didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds though.
After lunch and the rain had stopped, the clouds cleared and yet again, the sun shone down on our day. The crowds increased as the droids and cosplayers from the MK Garrison were able to venture outside, which attracted more people.
There were lots of happy people, having their photos taken. Following pictures credit: Matt.
Crowds
TC-14 and Dalek getting luv from the public.
The other side of the event was Droid MOT testing. A few renewals and two new initial MOT’s.
I did R2-B00’s, built by farther and son.
And the second initial MOT, was carried out by Mr Lee Towersey. This was a club first as well.
B2-EM0
Checkout the
video of
B2-EM0 in action.
Congratulations to both builders on their droids passing and being added to the ever expanding community of Droids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next up was the lucky dip which had some amazing prizes up for grabs & raised more than the two collection buckets put together!! There was Lego sets, posters, hats, t-shirts, key-rings and lots more. Big thanks to Clare and Mark.
The crowds didn’t abate and the sunshine just attracted more. Thanks to Helen and Sara for donation bucket duties, as well as parking organisers xx
Loads of positive comments from the public and lots of questions asked about droid building.
GRAND TOTAL RAISED ON THE DAY
£684.08
Including £100 via online donations
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Big thanks to all the builders who gave up (in some cases their whole weekend) to attend the event.
Nik, Matt, Jamie, Shaun, Mark, Clare, Emma, Andrew, Doug, Phil, Chris, Lee, John, Chris W, Paul, Sarah (TC-14), Loz, Dale, Andy, Helen, Ashleigh, Chris O, Susie, Glynn, lan.
(Don’t think I forgot anyone)
final bit: this could quite possibly be our last event held at the Mshed Museum. Due to the shed area being redeveloped by the museum for a new permanent exhibit. We won’t know for sure till later in the year, but we’ll keep you informed, on here or my YouTube channel 😎👍🏽
