Successful re-opening of Allendale SCI-FI museum thanks to special guests and Dr Who fans

Actor, Sophie Alred, who played the Doctor Who companion,‘Ace’ thrilled fans as she recreated her famous scene whereby she attacked a Dalek with her trademark baseball bat as a form of an opening ceremony.

Owner of the museum, Neil Cole said: “To celebrate the official reopening of the sci-fi museum, I asked Ace if she could re-enact her popular scene from her time on the Dr Who show between 1987-89.

“The reopening was very successful.

"A crowd of fans and museum supporters gathered at 9.30am to watch ‘Ace’ utter her immortal line – ‘Who are you calling small?! And then proceed to smash the baseball bat over the unfortunate ‘Allendalek’!”

Later on in the day, Sophie held a meet and greet at Allendale’s own Forge Studios in local artist/educator Debbi Doodle’s’ studio space.

Fans were also treated to a parade of classic Doctor Who monsters provided by Kevin Taylor and The Hyde Fundraisers which included a stunning example of Davros, the creator of the Daleks, and played by actor SP Bowling.

The actor has appeared on recent BBC Blu ray promotions.

Neil continued: “Fans were able to become stars themselves, as throughout the day, award-winning director Keith Barnfather (well known to Dr Who buffs as the founder of ‘Reeltime Pictures’) interviewed fans about the museum in preparation of his new documentary – ‘Doctor on Display - Part 1’.

The documentary is part of a new series looking at the history of the classic Doctor Who exhibitions.

Neil added: “It was a great day although I was suffering from post-viral fatigue from contracting Covid.

“I was very glad I was helped out for the day by eager family, friends and museum supporters.

“I did make an appearance to introduce Sophie, meet supporters and have an impromptu guitar battle with a Sea Devil (Hal Townsend) from Jon Pertwee’s era of the classic SF show!”