Sutton Coldfield Carnival

We'll file this one under - WET
After a group meeting in the park cafe, we decided to go ahead with this one despite the torrential downpour. When we headed to the portacabin the rain had slowed - by the time we were ready it was bucketing down again! Kamino on a bad day.
The organisers had put together 2 gazebos for us to keep us dry, stuck a tarpaulin underneath it and covered it in hay. Probably not a good idea in hindsight, but still we did our usual job of making the best of a bad situation. The crowd was few and far between, but the MC/DJ in the next door tent helped us out with constant announcements and some welcome intro music. A break in the weather and we headed to the park entrance to try and get some punters in - under the watchful eye of 2 policemen who weren't really bothered about us stopping the traffic. The rain came back, and the main arena was about to start a dancing display so we decided to call it a day.
Highs:
- The company
- Being looked after reasonable well despite everything (great bacon and egg butties before we started)
- Darth making the one little girl cry

Lows:
- coughing and sneezing in my helmet after fighting a cold off all week. Almost lost my voice now.
- Marsha being called gay
- The weather
- Darth's cloak getting soaked

Eureka Science Fair

Again a different role for me manning the photo stand. After a few hiccups we managed to get things flowing - thank you Debra for helping me out! Using my own camera helped as well it took long enough to get started, no thanks to the librarian who gladly donated a giant piece of material to use as a back drop, then took 20 mins of persuading to let us cut it so we could fit it floor to ceiling ("Anything to help") So obviously we didn't see much of the action elsewhere.

Cotswold Wildlife Park

This troop was to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Helen House and Douglas House Children’s hospices. Due to the ongoing wrist problems, I volunteered my services as the Jedi Knight - Master Andon - rather than TK6870. Joined by Master Ryall (Kevin) we ran a "Jedi Training School" for the kids at the event, while the 4 troopers (including the Chuckle Brothers Leigh and Scott) and Darth Vader (last minute by Adrian) terrorised everyone else.

It started with a very surreal moment - after getting kitted up we walked from our changing room to the main area where we were supposed to be, and passed by the Emu enclosure. Most of them were sat down until they saw us - then one by one they stood up almost at attention! Wierd.

Cossington School Fete

For this one I decided to be the official photographer, rather then don the armor. Even so, my wrist paid for it in the end. But with 122 photos it was worth it.
We started one trooper down due to a hospital emergency, but 4 TKs and 1 TB were more than enough for these kids.... excuse me if I start cursing. We went out just before the official opening to attracted a bunch of idiots that wanted to cause problems. The usual prodding/poking etc and silly questions. Couldn’t shake the little b*****ds off. Too little sugar? Poor Chris got battered from behind by someone on a bike - no permanent damage, just shook him up and the electronics in his helmet. Luckily his "mates" grassed him up so the rest of the troopers hunted him down and gave him a good telling off. I could tell they wanted to do more, but you know we’re not allowed to do anything like that

National Space Center

My second time at the NSC. This was day 3 of a very long weekend, and the rest of the gang were looking like they’d just invaded Tatooine. Due to the Alftreton troop (and a wedding on the Sunday) this was the only day I could attend. Even so...

What a fantastic time, made even more special by my parents visiting. Bad traffic saw them arrive late, and they were quite shocked when a stormtrooper found them and hounded them into our changing room, but they soon realized it was me.

We did our usual amazing job of entertaining the crowds... putting smiles on faces... and arresting those that deserved it.

Test

Test post from my new off-line system

Bluebell wood

This started a trend of volunteering at the last minute to help someone out. Luckily, this event was only a few miles from where I had to be that afternoon anyway, so it turned out to be a no brainer. I managed to complete the frown mod to my helmet just in time (not perfect, still needs tidying up) which helped a great deal. I mean the armor is hot enough, but to have no ventilation in your helmet? The air holes were very welcome.

Unfortunately, this turned into another event where we were under utilized, and the public not really knowing (caring?) who or what we were. Never mind, it was for a good cause and we put smiles on a few faces which is all that counts in the end.