Droids @ Bristol’s Mshed SWDB25

This year’s event was another success and was again masterminded by Mr Mike Berry!

The Mshed’s availability was secured before Christmas 2024 and the invite to fellow R2-D2 Droid Builders & Droid Builders UK members went live on the Clubs internal Portal noticeboard. Within a few weeks it had reached almost 25 attendees, this would eventually top out at almost 40 members. We had a few late additions and these were welcomed, with some returning members to the event’s scene. Was good to catch back up with everyone.

Event Location Background: The Mshed Museum is located on Bristol’s floating harbour in the heart of the City. All the storage shed’s have letters for identification. They were originally part of the docks, hence the massive cranes outside and them, which were for storage purposes. After the harbour was closed and shipments were moved outside at Portbury, it was derelict for many years. The key-side has its original train tracks which would have transported goods to Temple Meads Train Station and beyond.

As with all event’s, planning is key……. Our keys weren’t available till 10am Saturday morning, the day before lol, joking aside, a BIG thanks to Chris for allowing us the use of the Shed!

So, Saturday 10am, Mike and I arrived to set everything up (Chris Williams, you were missed mate!), posters, banners, balloons, bunting and gazebo for outside. His static R2 with motion activated sounds was reaching people walking past at three meters!! This of course drew people to see what was going on, which meant stopping to chat lol. We’d finished up by 4:30pm.

Sunday morning, we [Mike & I] arrived for 7am! Opened up with Chris and then started welcoming in the soon to arrive Droid builders. There were members of the public already waiting to come in. We had to move the gazebo outside and set it up, so that Helen & Sara could get the raffle prizes etc ready and thanks also to Emma who was on car parking duty.

We had a few unfortunate last-minute cancelations, so this meant we lost a K9 and a Dalek from the line-up. ………..Johnny 5 had already suffered a Short Circuit! [so was a no show].

We totalled 24 Droids, including: Astromechs, Choppers, B2EMO, Toolbox droid, Mouse Droids & ¾ size droids, as well as static Pit Droids, 39.1%, domes and other items for the display tables.

A selection of pictures, but to see them all, checkout the Clubs YouTube Channel, link at end.

The crowds flowed in constantly all day! And the roaming droids as well as the fantastic Milton Keynes Garrison, kept them entertained both inside and out. We were honoured with a special guest, Mr Jake Lunt Davies [concept design artist], Mike was very pleased to show him his latest droid creation, (f you know you know). Big thanks to Simon ‘Kermit’ Ragoo for his awesome shows, kept the kids interested and to Lee Towersey for the Grogu auction prize. Thanks also to the usual suspects lol, yes you know who you are!

The weather was great as the Sun came out, and more passing public join in on what was happening. There was plenty to see and lots of people enjoying themselves. The event raised a substantial amount for the Clubs chosen charity Alzheimer’s Society. If you’d like to make a donation, please follow this link HERE, thankyou. All in all, another great time was had by all.

Thanks for reading and if you attended, we hope you had a great time!