Allendale Play & Skate Park was visited by a fleet of Daleks who traversed the skating ramps and served pints for The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi’s ‘Day of the Triffid’ sci-fi event.
Museum creator and curator Neil Cole had invited an enviable array of celebrities from the world of television’s Doctor Who to meet and greet fans in Allendale village hall.
The event was celebrating both the television show - that recently celebrated its 60th birthday – and the museum itself and its showcase of classic era props, costumes and production material.
Fans travelled from as far as Tasmania to attend.
Guests who attended the event included Doctor Who director Graeme Harper and legendary production manager Margot Hayhoe and fan favourite companion Sophie Aldred ‘Ace’.
Independent film maker Keith Barnfather attended the day along with script writer Adrian Rigelsford, director Roger Stevens and new series monster makers Philip Robinson and Hal Townsend – the latter whom spent much time in full ‘Silurian’ costume.
The audience was also treated to Doctor Who’s very own incarnation of ‘The Muppets’ – ‘Avenue Who'.
"The day was great but the nail biting moment was the unveiling of a surviving, screen used model Triffid - from the BBC's 1981 adaptation of John Wyndham's iconic novel 'The Day of the Triffids'," Neil said.
"In addition to working on Doctor Who for two decades, Margot Hayhoe had also been the production manager on 'Day of the Triffids' and had donated the model to the museum - on the condition that I restored the miniature to its former glory!
"Thankfully, months of painstaking research, sculpting and painting paid off when Margot expressed her delight at the finished result."
At the end of the day there was a screening of the latest Reeltime Pictures’ documentary ‘Doctor on Display’ – which detailed the development of Allendale’s remarkable sci-fi museum – was followed by fascinating Q&A panels.
Neil also unveiled a new plaque outside the museum which was dedicated to the work of creative specialists who have help shape the world of ‘Doctor Who’.
He said: "Following the massively positive feedback, there will be another event to follow in the new year."
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