EVENTS

THE GATHERING II – November 2021

THE GATHERING II – World’s Largest Gathering of Full-Size Daleks!

IMPORTANT UPDATE – 20.11.2020

Following the sad news on Wednesday that the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon would remain closed permanently at the end of the current lockdown, we are now actively looking around for a new venue to stage THE GATHERING II in early November 2021. Our thanks go to the staff at the Oasis who had been so very helpful with our preparations and they also have our best wishes for the future. We will keep you posted on developments.

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

As everyone is aware we are at the beginning of the most uncertain times of our lives in recent history.

For many of us, things will be considerably changed during this time, especially those of us involved in the convention scene in whatever capacity. From the biggest organisers & celebs, to the smallest events, cosplayers and all attendees, we will all have to be sensible, considerate and adaptable.

Although many planned events have been affected, fortunately the majority seem to be being postponed & rescheduled to later in the year, rather than being cancelled.

However, this now means there are a very large number of incredibly popular and fantastic events very close together in a relatively short space of time.

It would appear now that August, September & October (and possibly November) will end up being the preferred months for the majority of the rescheduled events.

The Gathering 2 had been planned to take place 1st November 2020.  After much deliberation and discussion, we have decided to reschedule our event to November 2021.

We feel that to proceed would be not only detrimental to our cause, (raising as much as we possibly can for BBC Children In Need), but would be an immense strain on us as a group.

Obviously, we attend and exhibit at a large number of events throughout the year, which enables us to promote & raise funds partly to pay the pre-show costs involved in putting on the event.

With so many events now so close together, it would be a huge ask for us to attend these events, plus get into place all that is necessary for us to host our own.

Also it will be a difficult time for all of us financially and many people will find it a struggle to attend and be generous to so many closely held together conventions, which would certainly impact on our ticket sales and the viability of our event.

Ticket sales have currently been suspended, and all tickets purchased for the 2020 event will remain valid for the 2021 event.  An announcement of the new date will be made in due course, and ticket holders will be automatically notified.  Please be patient though as some of us are working hard in local government at present, and do not have much spare time to devote to other things.

Also please be aware that our announced guest list may change considerably, however, we will endeavour to keep as many of our originals as is possible, with some additions.

We hope you all understand this hard decision but we truly feel this is the best course of action at this time.  We wish you all well, stay safe and much unlike our alter egos at Sons of Skaro…be nice and help those around you that you can. Everything in life is easier if we do it together…we can do this.

Robert, Dean & All the Team at Sons of Skaro.

 

THE GATHERING 2019

THANK YOU to everyone who helped and supported such a fantastic day! – All the Daleks (and their owners), the volunteer helpers, the wonderfully generous celebrity guests, the traders, the staff at the Olympiad, BBC Radio Wiltshire, BBC Points West, and especially the public! 

Sadly we didn’t quite beat the world record – we achieved 87 and the record is 95.  BUT(!), the previous record was set with 44 actual Daleks and the rest were costumes.  We achieved 74 REAL FULL-SIZE DALEKS – more than there has ever been in one place before!  So, even though Guinness will not recognise it, we can claim an “unofficial” world record for the Largest Gathering of Full-Size Dalek Props with 74!  Well done everyone!

On 26th March we presented Julia’s House Children’s Hospice in Devizes with their cheque for £1,000.40 (50% of the profits from The Gathering)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 2nd April we presented Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity with their cheque for £5,000.40 (50% of the profits from The Gathering plus other fundraising over the last year).  We had previously raised and paid over another £1,506.00 in the previous two years to GOSH. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE DALEKS WILL RETURN!

Following numerous requests (including from the Daleks themselves), we will be doing it all again. 

THE GATHERING II will take place in late 2020.  Watch this space!

 

The Gathering is a Dalek/Doctor Who themed charity event, with all profits in aid of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity and Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

 

 

 

 

There will be various Who-related celebrity guests (see below), talks, Q&As, cosplay competitions, and workshops, and the Sons of Skaro raffle for a full-size Dalek will be drawn at the end of the event with the winner being phoned by one of our celebrity guests.

BUT… the centrepiece of the event will be an attempt on the Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of Daleks (currently set at 95 in 2008). So if you have a Dalek and want to join us (and haven’t already registered), please email us at sosexterminate@gmail.com or message us on Facebook and we will try to squeeze you in!

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK ON THE BANNER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

DALEKS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT – COSTUMES – IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Guinness World Records have quite strict rules in order for a Dalek costume to be counted as part of the record attempt.  They are:
  • All costumes must clearly resemble an actual Dalek.
  • Dalek costumes must, at a minimum, adhere to the following requirements:
  1. the base of the costume must be a decahedron; panels rising from the base to the middle must have a minimum of four hemispherical protrusions;
  2. the costume must contain an eyestalk mounted on the dome at the head of the costume;
  3. the costume must contain a gun mount and telescopic manipulator, or recognisable representations thereof.
If your costume matches all these then you may be included in the world record attempt.  If not, then we are afraid you won’t be able to take part.  However, please do come along anyway and take part in all the fun, including the Dalek cosplay competition!  See you there!  Exterminate!
If you’re in Dalek costume (which fits the criteria above) and wish to be included in the count for the World Record, make sure you have your event ticket and are there for 9.15am to be allowed in early to join the count.  Only those in Dalek costume will be able to join the Daleks for the World Record attempt at 9.30am. 

Event opens at 10.00am.

The Venue

The Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham, Wiltshire, is set in beautiful Monkton Park, just a short walk from the town centre. There is free parking adjacent at Sadlers Mead and more (chargeable) just across the road at Chippenham railway station, and nearby at Emery Gate shopping centre. Chippenham is easily accessible by train, and by road from the M4.

Programme:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yours Hosts for the day are:     

 

 

 

 

 

 

DALEK COSPLAY COMPETITION

There will be a DALEK COSPLAY COMPETITION too!  Great prizes! 

Changing rooms and lockers (bring your own small padlock) available next to the Main Hall.

COSPLAY COMPETITION:  

Come along in your best Who-related cosplay! 

Take part in the FUN COSPLAY COMPETITION!  Great prizes! 

Changing rooms and lockers (bring your own small padlock) available next to the Main Hall.

 

 

PHOTOSHOOTS WITH CAVE STUDIOS:

Get your professional photos taken at The Gathering by Cave Studios.

Choice of backgrounds – Tardis exterior or interior.

9×6” Print – £10, 6×4” Print – £7, Magnet/Keyring – £7. Buy on the day.

Discounts for Cosplayers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Event Times 10.00am – 5.00pm

  • Online Ticket prices: 0 -5 Free, 5 – 12 £4.00, 13- Adult £8.00, Family (2 Adults 2 Children) £20.00 (ONLINE TICKET SALES END AT 7.00PM 8TH MARCH)

  • On The Door Ticket Prices: 0 – 5 Free, 5 – 12 £5.00, 13 – Adult £10.00, Family £25.00 (CASH ONLY)

RETROPLAY: Sunday 9th Sept 2018

RetroPlay is back for a second year and this time we’re raising money and awareness for local charity, Kids Out.. We are made up of two local businesses The Retro Centre & Digi-Steve Photography, who are working together to put on this local event to raise essential funds for Kids Out and at the same time for the local communities to have an amazing day of fun!

On the 9th September 2018, our main event, RetroPlay – Movie, Gaming & Comic Festival will be returning to Leighton Buzzard. This spectacular Movie / TV, Gaming and Comic Book themed family fun day will immerse visitors in a world of silver screen fantasy. Interact with an incredible collection of iconic replica vehicles, meet and greet your favourite Superheroes and legendary movie characters, and even a T-Rex!! On the day we will have a range of attractions for all the family, TV and Film props as well as Stalls selling all kinds of Toys, Collectibles, comics and more. There will be Competitions, Special Guests and a Retro Gaming area with a range of retro consoles and games….

Last year we welcomed close to 1000 visitors and raised over £1000 for Autism Bedfordshire. Let’s do it all over again!

Covcon – Coventry Comic Con Saturday 15th September 2018

Covcon is back for a second year after a successful first show in 2017.

This time organisers have double the space and double the fun taking place on Saturday 15 September at The Sports Connexion in Ryton.

Organisers say: “We will have new activity zones for 2018 – Comic, Interactive, Gaming and Cosplay Zones as well as the usual array of TV/Film guests, traders and fun displays.

“This year’s nominated charity is The Big Cat Sanctuary (www.thebigcatsanctuary.org) and we will be hoping to raise lots of money to support this fantastic charity.”

There will be something for everybody at Covcon and we are aiming to make this a great family day out!

For more information about Covcon 2018 or to buy your tickets please visit: www.coventrycomiccon.uk

To assist with getting to the venue we organisers are also providing coaches from Coventry Railway Station for just £4 return journey.

These great value tickets can be bought from the website.

Car parking is free at the venue.

30th September 2018 – WILTSHIRE COMICON & GAMING FESTIVAL – Chippenham

Wiltshire will be at Olympiad Leisure Centre

Monkton Pk, SN15 3PA Chippenham, Wiltshire

Sunday 30th September at 10:00am –16:00pm

 

  • Michael Henbury guest signer
  • Charlie Akin guest signer
  • Martin Ballantyne signer
  • Zara Phythian guest signer
  • Robert Cavanah guest signer
  • Clem So guest signer
  • Daniel Egham guest signer
  • Cheryl Rowland guest signer
  • Scott Stevenson guest signer
  • Steve Tanner comic book signer
  • Sally Mortemore
  • Clive Russell
  • Jurassic jeep
  • Dalek Invasion
  • Mad Max car
  • Dino 4 hire
  • Kingston exotics
  • Gaming zone with table top gaming
  • Retro gaming
  • The Walking Dead bike
  • Daleks
  • Barricade Transformer and car
  • Lightning McQueen
  • Saber combat academy

7th October 2018 – GLOUCESTER COMIC CON – Gloucester

Gloucester Comic Con will return this month with a line-up of famous guests.

Held at Oxtalls Sports Park, Gloucester, GL2 9DW from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Guests include 8th Doctor, Paul McGann, and 6th Doctor, Colin Baker.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1886362418295415/

“It might be back to school time, but here at Gloucester Comic-Con we’re not quite ready to leave the summer holidays behind so we’re having one last hurrah for all members of the family with our weekend extravaganza on Sunday 7th of October.

“We’ve got super celebrity guests, interactive games and stage show, the UK’s finest traders, a fantastic cosplay competition, prop displays and YouTube gaming so there will be plenty to keep you all entertained for the day.

“We aim to please all members of the family, both young and old, so what better way for you and the family to spend your weekend than with us here in Gloucester Comic-Con, where we promise to deliver a day out you’ll never forget.”

20th-21st October 2018 – SOMERSET COMICON & GAMING FESTIVAL – Taunton

This is the first Somerset comicon and gaming festival in 2018 which offers both the comic convention experience with the gaming festival vibe.

Held in Taunton at Wellsprings leisure centre, we have a huge space with great parking facilities and cafe.

The hall will have gaming zones with interactive stands, where you can try table top games, enjoy the odd battle or try retro games and consoles remembering your first games you got as a kid.

There will becosplayers who spend months creating costumes and props including transformers and star wars characters. Prop displays and photo opportunities like the ex museum full size Tardis that you can pose with for photos.

Then theres the stage where we’ll have a cosplay competition in the afternoon and of course lots of great artists and exhibitors selling everything from comics to props.

10th November 2018 – WORTHING WORMHOLE COMICON – Worthing

On November 11th a Wormhole is going to open in Worthing!

The wormhole will connect The Assembly Hall and St Paul’s Worthing. During this time you may experience changes to the space time continuum. You may see Orcs and superheroes on the streets of Worthing. Storm Troopers may march down Montague Street. The Millennium Falcon may be seen above the pier. Seagulls may be in danger! Expect to see Daleks materialising in local cafes and above all expect the unexpected!

DAYTIME EVENT – 10am to 5pm at the Assembly Hall featuring:

Signings, Kid & adult workshops, Science talks, Live performances from local schools/groups & entertainers, Film props & exhibitions, Classic sci-fi, fantasy & fan films plus Cosplay with competitions

EVENING EVENT – 7pm to midnight at St Paul’s featuring:

The night event is a costumed party with amazing entertainment for the mass of people from across the galaxy who will all be dressed to impress.

2nd December 2018 – STARS OF TIME – Weston-super-Mare

The Film and Comic Con returns to the Tropicana on 2 December