TK6870 - Tales from the Front

Knights Of The Empire (KOTE) Waddington Air Show

2008-07-11T22:55:00.001+01:00

Along with my new friends at the "other" costuming group, I attended the Waddington Air show on Saturday. I had originally signed up as crew only, with the intention of taking loads and loads of photos (unique opportunity and all that), but I was asked almost at the last minute if I could do a stint in armour, and take pictures later. I agreed, and was very glad that I did due to the biblical downpours in the morning - the weather improved in the afternoon, so I got my photo taking done then - including some amazing shots of the newly restored Vulcan, and Battle of Britain Memorial flight.

Anyway, back to the action. According to news reports later, there were 125000 people there on Saturday, despite the weather. The biggest crowd I have ever trooped at. What an amazing atmosphere, and such a responsive crowd as well. To watch wide-eyed wonder move from The Red Arrows, to a fighter jet on the ground, to "oh wow, STORMTROOPERS!". How we managed to navigate from place to place was a minor miracle due to the amount of photo requests - even in the rain. At one point it was coming down so bad we took shelter in a "Duke of Edinburgh Award" display trailer along with several members of the public... and they still came along wanting photos!

A huge highlight for me was walking into one of the hangars (this was in the afternoon when I was out of armour) to be met by the opening bars of the theme from you guessed it, Star Wars! You can see this in the last parts of the YouTube video. An amazing co-incidence, but such an impact for the people listening.

Videos are here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=waddington+kote&search_type=&aq=f

Jeremy Snape Testimonial

2008-06-06T22:49:00.000+01:00

After promising to myself never to return to the NSC, I altered the deal slightly (this was not the big annual event) and went help at the "Moon Ball" event for Cricket star Jeremy Snape. No I never heard of him either, and didn't recognise anyone at all at the event. Several stormtroopers, a couple of scouts, tie pilots and bounty hunters entertained/harassed the crowd for the evening, eventually giving up due to a lack of interest at the charity auction. It was a bit different interacting with them in black tie and posh frocks, but as it was the Space Centre, they were more out of place than we were. In general it was a good night, including an off-the-cuff photo shoot on the red carpet outside, and a choreographed Jedi fight with Darth Maul. But no thanks to a broken sat nav system I arrived late, and got lost coming home :(

Meadowhall Starbucks - Sheffield Children's Hospital

2008-05-24T21:36:00.000+01:00

(to come)

Ashbourne - The Show

2007-12-06T22:26:00.001Z

This was my first troop with the Knights of the Empire (KOTE). And what a first troop that was. Scantily clad dancers, oiled-up "full monty" old geezers, a Spice Girls drag act, and us re-enacting scenes from the films. An amazing night.
Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galUzIfjCbo

Candlelighters Christmas Party - Leeds

2007-12-06T22:23:00.001Z

A shaky start to this one. After the company Xmas do the night before I woke up with a hangover-like symptoms, but no headache. Strange as I hadn't been drinking. I was supposed to be donning the brown robes for the event, but decided to downgrade myself to helper instead and took my camera. It actually ended up being 3 troopers, as poor Michelle forgot a major part of her Boushh costume :( The organisers were absolutely fantastic and couldn't do enough for us. I really enjoy troops like this as its the proper "charitable" side of what we do. And as some of the children present may not see another Christmas it was quite humbling as well. If we gave them (and their parents) an afternoon to remember then it was a job well done. Apparently we've all been invited back next year.

Tamworth Toys R Us

2007-10-12T11:21:00.001+01:00

For the first time since CE I donned the armour and went on patrol with some of the Empire's finest. This time was for the opening of Toys R Us 2 blocks from where I work in Tamworth. A pretty uneventful day, the expected trouble didn't arrive and fun was had by all. The damn DJ could have changed CDs more often though, we heard the same music over and over and over and over.... Good fun and a pleasure to be back on patrol.

Squad Transfer?

2007-09-04T19:16:00.003+01:00

Hey its all about choice right? I haven't left the 501st or the UK Garrison, I'm just expanding my options. Which is why TK6870 has joined the ranks of the 99th Imperial Garrison. They're new - they need a seasoned veteran like me to show them how its done :)

Video from Moor Green

2007-09-04T19:16:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhlPZerizDw

Moor Green Country Show

2007-08-27T23:02:00.001+01:00

For the Edward Bright appeal

photos: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/tk6870/20070826MoorGreen

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhlPZerizDw

Celebration Europe

2007-07-25T10:58:00.001+01:00

photos:

<<click here>>

Celebration Europe

2007-07-06T21:34:00.000+01:00

The big one comes to London, and my ticket arrived this morning.

TK6870 in Red4 Squadron. Can't wait

Sutton Coldfield Carnival

2007-06-30T23:25:00.001+01:00

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

2007-06-23T21:27:00.000+01:00

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

2007-06-20T18:53:00.001+01:00

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

2007-06-09T18:53:00.000+01:00

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

2007-06-05T14:03:00.000+01:00

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

2007-06-03T20:11:00.000+01:00

Test post from my new off-line system

Bluebell wood

2007-06-03T18:52:00.000+01:00

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.

Relay for Life

2007-05-05T22:36:00.000+01:00

Well, this was a ... wierd one.
Bad organising and we weren't really utilised enough. On the other hand we were well taken care of, and well fed and watered afterwards. Strange.

We did the opening lap with everyone else, then stood around waiting for something to do.

Weekend with Dave Prowse - Newcastle - 21/22 April

2007-04-23T22:57:00.000+01:00

[School]
Saturday morning saw an early start at a local school. Well received by the crowd, mostly kids obviously. We did what we do best - mingle, harass and generally misbehave. It still amazes me what we can get away with - I told one bloke with a video camera that he wasn't allowed to film us, only take photos. He put the camera away! Debra told him later I was only joking.
One of the "stewards" (obviously kids from the school) was rude to everyone and generally being a pain. It was only afterwards that we found out he was autistic - if we'd been informed beforehad, we could have made allowances, instead of thinking he was a complete idiot. Never mind.
An interesting lunch of chips and hotdogs before being shuttled back to the hotel

[Fenwicks]

Short straws for this one - Only Darth and 4 troopers.
This was a book signing for Dave at the toy department of the local department store. We were chauffered from the hotel in a mini bus, with all the kit following along in a people carrier. Teri got the Range Rover! After a slight misunderstanding over autographs (nothing to do with us but interesting to listen to) we went through the tradesmans entrance up to a managers office in the store - more space than it sounds. There was a HUGE queue of people waiting for us/Dave and we emerged to an amazing round of applause from the crowd. Its was very hot and very crowded. Despite the interfering security guard, Teri managed to drag us away from the table to a space where the lifts were for the photos. I had to take a breather half way through it got that bad. Eventually I just stood there and posed there were too many people and too many cameras. When we'd finished, while walking back to the office to get de-kitted I scored my first casualty. Debra was about 2 steps in front of me when I suddenly felt something at knee-level. I stopped, heard a thud followed by WAAAAAAAAAAAA. A toddler (on reigns mind you) had somehow got in front of me and I never saw him/her. I don't think there was any permanent damage, but the poor kid is probaby going to be scarred for life about seeing anyone dressed in white!

[Marriot hotel - meet and greet]

The main event of the day - its was our job to greet the guests arriving for the big dinner ("Mr Dave Potter!") Ok, he actually said Porter, we've just morphed it into "Potter". Sounds better. There was a huge wedding party in one of the adjoining rooms, so that provided an alternative audience. Not many brides have had their picture taken with stormtroopers.

[Marriot hotel - auction]
After a lovely meal at the nearby pub, 4 of the troopers who never got to the toy store volunteered to help with the memorobila auction later that night with the idea of getting as much money as possible out of the bidders.Timing for this was way off, thanks to Dave's rambling speech "Then in 1976 I ....ZZZzzz......" While waiting, we decided to "entertain" basically anyone we could find. Firstly back to the wedding trying to help one little kid ask a girl to dance. That didn't work out, and the only advice the trooper could provide was "buy her another drink". Start them young hey? Then we hit the bar, the foyer and the restaurant. That was brilliant. There was a jazz band playing to entertain the diners - it was almost like something from the Fast Show "Stormtroopers have just invaded... nice" Of course one trooper took it a bit too far (I won't name names) by getting into the kitchen, but he was soon chased out.
Finally making it back for the auction, the auctioneer (who we found out was a local comedian) didn't really like what we were doing and told the troopers to shut up. We left right after that.

[Marriot hotel - meet and greet]

Sunday morning, tired bleary eyed (and in somecases hung over). This was basically the same format as the school event from Saturday. We provided an honour guard for Dave, then did the usually mingling/harassing with everyone else. A fair bit of time was spent outside, where I did my first bit of traffic duty. Loved it. Unfortunately a lot of people saw us from the outside road, came into the hotel grounds to take a picture, then buggered off again! I did a little solo work, trying to get people into the event, and I ended up running into another one of the wedding parties from the previous night. Those girls were just... naughty... Then back into the restaurant with the concierge as the chefs had requested a photo. One of the waitresses even said to me "shall I get on the floor for you" The professional photographer that had been there all weekend kindly took some group shots of us towards the end of the afternoon.
Lunch at the end was really nice, except that was the end. Weekend over. PTD all round

Post Troop Depression

2007-04-02T22:31:00.001+01:00

Why is it so hard to come "back down to earth" after a troop? I always suffer a serious case of the "Mundays" (Office Space clue) after a weekend troop. Today has been no exception. I'd finished the majority of my work by about 10am, then spent the rest of the day sorting out my photos from the weekend, staring at them, remembering what happened and generally wanting to be somewhere, anywhere else.
Not good.
My next event is in 3 weeks time. I hope I can hold out that long.

Entertainer Store Ipswich

2007-03-31T22:27:00.000+01:00

One day after dental surgery, 320 miles and over 5 hours on the road. But it was worth it.

From the start the staff at the Entertainer looked after us incredibly well. Plenty of food and refreshments, and all the expenses "paperwork" dealt with before we left. Thanks Rebecca brilliant job.
The public for the most part were very receptive, and it was amazing to see very young kids who knew their stuff about Star Wars.
Of course there were the usual class of ***** who spoilt it, more so in the afternoon. Including one ***** who tried punching me, missing by about an inch, and 2 others who after having their photo taken started throwing sweets at us. (expleteves deleted)

Highs
- Laughing & Smiling kids
- Crying kids (14 in total - a new record)
- Haribo boy in all his guises (about 4 of the staff put the suit on. hmmm... moist)

- being looked after by the Entertainer staff
- The grandma who insisted on having her picture taken

- Playing statues inside the shop. I didn't know three young girls could scream so loud.

Lows
- The ***** who tried spoiling things
- The long haired, strangely dressed nutters with wierd eye makeup (and that's just the boys) who wanted me to hug them.
- The drive there and back
- The wind down that street... brutal

And of course thanks to the "old hands" Don and Jan for making it work. I definitely learned a few things.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/tk6870

Nottingham Market Square

2007-03-24T20:48:00.000Z

My first official troop of the year... and what a night! The event was part of the celebrations for the opening of the new Market Square in Nottingham. After various drop outs and car problems, we ended up with 6 troopers, Vader, Padme and a rather scary looking Tusken Raider.

We were part of the "pre-show" entertainment, doing our usual mingling and photo work - in front of a few thousand people behind barricades. Rain and cold didn't matter (only to the spotters) I was having too much fun. Lots of smiling faces, lots of photos, new and old friends and a job well done.

Famous at last

2007-03-22T19:35:00.000Z

Maybe all the problems on Red nose day were worth it

Red Nose Day disasters

2007-03-20T20:45:00.000Z

Mistake #1
Armour mods that didn't work - replacing the elastic straps that hold my thighs up with normal webbing straps.

Mistake #2
Organising an impromptu visit to the local Sainsburys supermarket (on the same block as my office) to "help them out", then realising that the store manager told no one that I was coming, and neglected to tell me himself that he wouldn't be there until later that afternoon

Mistake #3
Planning on making a grand entrance to the offices of the local newspaper, then embarrisingly asking the receptionists for help to fix my leg piece that kept falling off (see #1)

Mistake #4
Standing in the Sainsburys staff canteen waiting for my "escort", then aplogising profusely that I couldn't continue as, once again, my leg fell off

Mistake #5
Thinking that anyone in my building actually bothered about Red nose day

Next year I'll book the day off.

Plus points -

some interesting pictures

"arresting" the receptionists at the local paper, and having my picture taken. Fingers crossed it gets published. The photographer was really nice, calling me "Mr Stormtrooper". Then as I was leaving I got "May the Force be with you", to which I replied "that's Rebel talk sir". Perfect
My RomFX - first time out in public - loved it.

Bad points -
all the fixes I have to do before next weeks event in Nottingham
The scar on my leg from the badly-behavied thigh piece

Great Ormond Street Hospital Christmas Party

2006-12-14T19:39:00.000Z

As this was in London, I decided not to take my armour and went instead as a Jedi. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I don't have pictures of this event. Anyway, this was one of the "meaningful" troops - helping those less fortunate. It choked me up a few times seeing the kids and what they were going through, but all in all it was a very memorable and meaningful troop.

It didn't hurt

2006-11-24T05:19:00.000Z

£75 and 90 minutes later, I now permamently belong to the empire

Children in Need

2006-11-17T18:40:00.000Z

Not an official troop, but as it was a charity event at work, I decided to don the armour and scare my colleagues. Boy did it work. I came in first for the fancy dress competition, and was subsequently banned from entering next year, then proceeded to bring some Imperial order to the rest of the company. Even without a voice amp I still got my point across.

Music Zone - Huyton (Merseyside)

2006-11-11T20:48:00.000Z

This was a strange one. Flying solo, on my birthday as well. It was supposed to be for a store opening, but the staff didn't know what to do with me, didn't provide any of what they were supposed to, and the public were just odd.

The first mission

2006-11-04T20:39:00.000Z

National Space Center - Leicester

Training over, it was time for my first outing with the rest of the Garrison.
(more to come)

Who am I?

2006-11-02T22:13:00.000Z

Allow myself to intruduce ... myself.
I am Stormtrooper TK6870 assigned to the UK Garrison of the 501st Legion, under Lord Vader himself.

This blog will be a field report of events, troops and missions with my fellow stormtroopers.

The obligatory first post

2006-11-01T21:05:00.000Z

Trooper TK6870 reporting for duty