Events

28th February – 3rd March 2013 – Sci-Fi Weekender, Hafan y mor Holiday Park, Pwllheli with the Galactic Knights.

This is the first time we have attended this event. For the whole weekend the holiday park is taken over by sci-fi fans, traders and entertainers. We attended the event with the Galactic Knights costuming group and had a great time. It was good to meet up with old friends and make some new ones.

Thursday we were allocated caravans with all the necessary amenities and were shown to our changing area. All the gang arrived and there was time for a bit of socializing.

Friday morning, after a very cold night in the caravan we set off to get in to costume and rehearse for the flash mob. Jude was costuming as Darth Maul which meant shaving his head and applying the make-up. We used the stencils and airbrush again which seems to speed up the process and he modeled his new 9mm FX hand painted contact lenses which were a lot more comfortable. He managed to wear them all day with out any problems. Between rehearsal we got to meet the crowds and then later on prepared for the flash mob. A descending presence of Jedi & Sith. Jude was joined on stage by our friend Dave Walsh as Obi-Wan who he battled with his newly converted saber (thanks to JQ sabers).

Saturday Jude chose to troop for the first time in his Imperial Officer costume. We applied a rather nasty scar around the eye and cheek area which made the character a little more menacing. This went perfectly with his snarl. Wearing this costume also meant we got to see a little more of the event. In the evening the Galactic Knights escorted Robert Rankin to the stage and the audience sang happy birthday as they are celebrating 4 years together.

20th October 2012 – 27th January 2013 – Exhibition of Hollywood costumes at the V & A Museum, London.

In late November we spent a weekend in London for my Birthday. This was our annual costume fabric shop, we visited all the local haunts and some new in the quest for those perfect fabrics. It was sheer bliss, except for having to carry all the fabric, most of which we ended up mailing back to ourselves. Also whilst in London we booked to see the fantastic exhibition of Hollywood Costumes at the V & A Museum. Be warned you need to book this event in advance as most weekend tickets are sold out. We visited on Monday morning at it was packed. We slowly shuffled from one costume to the next. There is a massive amount of costumes to see, from Marilyn Monroe to Superman, starting way back when to the present day. We were especially pleased to see Darth Vader, Han Solo, Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman, Spiderman and Catwoman. We also got to see the Matrix, Sweeney Todd, Indiana Jones, Fight club just to name a few. For the glamorous ladies there are lots of frocks, Gone with the wind, Wizard of Oz, Dracula right through all the historical costumes such as Gladiator, Elizabeth I to Saturday Night Fever and The Blues Brothers. This exhibition is well worth a visit. Allow plenty time to see everything and wear some comfortable footwear. No photography or sketching allowed.

Hollywood Costume exhibition

Invasion Belfast V - Saturday 6th October – Sunday 7th October at the W5 Odyssey, Belfast.

Celebrating their 5th Anniversary at the W5 arena – Belfast, the Emerald Garrison pulled out all the stops and put on another fantastic event. We joined old friends and new to troop the two day event. Visitors where overwhelmed by the life-size sets and abundance of costumed characters. This year there was the Throne room, Yoda’s place, Ewok village to name a few plus the the Jedi Academy, a new Sith Academy and the new Galactic Attack where young Clone Troopers search around the maze taking on any droids that cross their path. The guests this year where Jeremy Bulloch, Jerome Blake, Anthony Forrest, Tim Rose and Will Sliney. An enjoyable weekend had by all.

Jude and myself set sail on Friday arriving in Belfast just in time for drinks at Rocky’s Bar. Everyone made us feel really welcome, it was great to be back.

Saturday we woke early at the Premier Inn Titanic Quarter, had breakfast and then made the short walk across the car park to the W5 Arena. This year there were two large rooms packed with costumers. We got to put lots of names to faces and see the amazing variety of costumes. I kitted up in the PAUL Boushh costume (I know I said I would pack it away but the upgrade isn’t quite ready and therefore the old reliable came back out) and Jude costumed as Anakin (not his favourite costume but Anakin is very popular in Belfast). It was a long hot day in costume but made worth the while by all the kind comments we received and the look on the kids and adults faces as they queued for photographs. Saturday evening after the troop we all met up at Chiquito’s for supper.

Sunday after breakfast we took an early tour of the event and managed to get a few photographs. After a few costume fittings we got into costume and hit the photo stands. Sunday had to be the highlight of the event for me, after six years costuming I finally got to troop along side Chewbacca, hooray! In his chains I led him to the photo stand where we we joined by Tarfful. OMG! It was amazing. It has to be the hottest ever place to troop, stood between two walking carpets, absolutely superb costumes, we stood in awe. The day was finished with a drink back at Rocky’s Bar and the night sail home.

Jude and myself would like to thank all our friends in the Emerald Garrison for such a warm welcome, allowing us to be part of the team and for putting an excellent weekends entertainment. We hope to see you all next year.

Star Wars Celebration VI – 23rd -26th August 2012

We hope everyone enjoyed celebration VI, sorry we couldn’t be there, we were gutted we missed it. We are already looking forward to Celebration Europe – Germany 2013.

Here are some photo’s of some of our costumes that attend CVI

Michael and Jules – Plo Koon and Savage Opress, awarded third and second place. Photo courtesy of Jessica L Odell

July 22nd 2012 -at R S Propmaster’s open day

Following on from MCM Manchester everyone met up again at the R S studio at Stockport. We arrived casually late to be met at the door by a crowd of people gazing over the original Storm trooper armour. Brian and Lyndsay attended alongside lots of UKG members and R S Facebook followers, it was good to meet them all and talk costume. The guys at R S had put on a nice spread and allowed a everyone a good rummage around the studio. The photography went on until late afternoon and then everyone parted for the journeys home. Thanks to Rob and Simon for a great day.

The original armour on the mannequin for the first time.

July 21st 2012 - at MCM Manchester Expo

We had a fantastic time at Manchester Central exhibiting with the RPF and TDH guys. It was great to meet old friends and new and good to meet members from overseas. Simon and the R S Propmaster guys had really pulled out all the stops to get us a generous size stand in a prime location. There were some amazing costumes to be seen throughout the day and the queue to get into the event amazed us all. There is definitely a need for more Manchester events.

Members from all costuming groups got together, there was a large turnout from UKG and RL, unfortunately we were on the stand all day and didn’t get many photo opportunities. Hopefully next time.

On the stand alongside the vast display of helmets, models and robots we displayed our PAUL Boushh costume. Manchester Central was were it all began for this costume. Back in 2007 we took the costume along to the Collectormania convention for a trail fitting. I had my photo taken with Suzi Jedi of the Rebel Legion and you can still see all my blonde hair poking out the bottom of the helmet. It was at this event that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were promoting Hot Fuzz, I just happend to be stood about foot away. Who would of thought that four years later they would be contacting me for that particular costume. I thought it only right to take it back to Manchester for this convention and complete the cycle.

For this convention we pulled out all the stops to get our new prototype Boba Fett under suit ready. We wanted to take it along for the other members to see and gives us their feedback. To see more on this visit our work in progress page.

After the event quite a few of us continued the party at Nando’s. We had a great time relaxing, talking about the event and seeing how hot we could take the Peri Peri.

We look forward to MCM Expo Manchester 2013.