Neil Cole'S Adventures In Science Fiction: Museum Of Sci-Fi

Late evening greetings!!!! Just wanted to be SUPER clear about opening times over the Easter hols! I've temporarily added this image (with the times on) to the top of the page. Basically- normal hours (our 'all year round' open days & times) plus we will also be open an extra day (Thursday 18th) leading up to Easter Weekend! And yes...we are open all Easter weekend! Lisa and I need some family time mid-week....life has been hectic!!! Look forward to meeting and seeing loads of you over Easter!!!😊😊😊😊

I've received quite a few enquiries about Easter opening: we are open right across the the Easter weekend....normal hours (Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday!)- pop in for a slice of Easter Sci-Fi!😊

And at 8.00 am....the Allendalek cheers on participants of the 'Allendale Challenge' as they pass the museum....thank you Roger Dilley for last-minute Dalek vocal duties!!!!!

....and so....this morning....it's 7.30....

Lisa here 💜 It's a beautiful sunny day in the Dalek Garden today! 🌸 Hello spring! 🌷 Do pop in to visit the museum over the Easter holidays. The Allendalek is looking forward to meeting you! 😊

Just finished putting glass back in the vault....new Dredd panel in and working!!!😊😊😊😊

A (very!) short little film...celebrating Northumberland's own 'Aquaman' (in a waistcoat).... Jethro Vernon...who has just breathed life back into the surviving 'Peach Trees' elevator panel from one of my all-time favourite movies 'Dredd'! Will be in the museum in time for Easter! Jethro's love and support of the museum just cannot be overstated. Jethro was a pupil in my class....and now helps me with the electronic components in the museum's props...just wonderful. Feel free to subscribe to the museum's YOUTUBE channel....every little helps!!!😃 https://youtu.be/_wNm9WFpkCI

Hello everyone! I would be extremely grateful for all LIKES and SHARES of this posts to continue spreading the word about our fab little museum!
Easter is soon upon us…a great time to visit the museum! There are some fascinating new items now in the museum awaiting visitors, including our oldest exhibit: an original ‘Flash Gordon’ helmet dating back to 1940! Other new pieces include a ‘Predator’ foot, ‘Alien’ Egg and beautiful for Starfleet Officer ‘Madeline’ from ‘Star... Trek’! ‘Doctor Who’ has not been ignored either…the museum now boasts a fully restored and complete ‘Cheetah Person’ from ‘Survival’! All these on top of the museum’s extensive collection of original props and costumes from film and television science-fiction! Visitor note: Allendale is a lovely village to visit- free toilets and car parking is available all within metres of the museum in the market place…with great cafe's and pubs….not even a minute from the museum entrance!
I will be posting soon an update on all the ‘Allendalek’ latest news….the plot thickens!!!! All best wishes to all our museum supporters near and far- Neil😊❤️
See More

Hello everyone- apologies for radio-silence- been busy catching up with museum exhibits, teaching duties and spending some time with my family....during the curious but quite welcome (I think!) lull in planning activity. I needed to give everyone an update…so here goes… First of all- you will notice that this post is adorned with some amusing (and wondrous) photos of some classic ‘Doctor Who’ personalities…(and a ‘new series’ villain!). I needed to seriously thank John Hogg...
Continue Reading

After so many 'Planning Dept' posts (!!!) it's time for a break...and something actually science-fiction(!!!!). Here is a short (2 mins) film showing the process involved in getting the museum's latest exhibit ready for display! It's really nice to bring a little more 'Star Trek' to 'The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi'....and I just love this piece. It's involved a considerable amount of work- cutting & combining foam head castings, trimming and affixing sections of silicone skin,... sculpting eye's...metallic paint matching, etc....but I do hope you like the end result. 'Star Trek' is one of SF's all-time greats and steadily we intend to feature it more in the museum. I won't say anymore here....just click on the link! All LIKES and SHARES and SUBSCRIBES to the museum YOUTUBE channel really help spread the word about our little SF museum!!!! https://youtu.be/r2N2xK5FSYw
See More

Lisa here: 💜 Just a big thank you to Glynn Galley for raising the issue of the unpleasant atmosphere of the Planning meeting at our local Parish Council meeting.
The meeting was indeed a negative and unpleasant experience, despite us trying to demonstrate that we wanted to cooperate and rectify issues and apologising for oversights made.
... I do appreciate the Planning Department and Enforcement Department have a job to do. I totally understand that, and realise that in our naivety (having not built a sci-fi museum before and certainly not in a listed building!!) we made the odd unintentional mistake which they have address as part of their work, however there are different ways to carry out those jobs and a big part of this is attitude and manner.
Neil is a teacher of some 25 years experience and I am a cognitive behavioural therapist and occupational therapist with 20 years in the field. Both of us have "jobs" to do but attitude and manner plays a massive part in both.
I really don't want to inflame the situation further, but also don't think being treated with an attitude of respect and with courtesy is too much to ask for either.
I note that the statement from the County Council unfortunately does not acknowledge the attitude of their representatives present.
However on a more pleasant note, we do acknowledge that communications with the Enforcement Department in the past week have been a more positive experience and we do appreciate that very much.
https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/…/1749 5555.councils-plann…/
See More

Lisa again: Had to share this, it made me giggle! See if you can spot it! 😄💜
Thank you Shepherd's Solid Fuels!

Lisa here: 💜 Apologies for a few days radio silence... Busy day-job few days and vile virus (Neil is the latest to succumb to it!) However just wanted to share some of the beautiful experiences of kindness and support we have received recently. Our wonderful friend Cat Moore auctioned one of her stunning Lino Prints below, in aid of the Dalek Shed situation. Do check her work out, she has an amazing talent and we are immensely grateful for her generous donation! 💜 https://www.facebook.com/catmooreprintmak er/

Good evening everyone….
Before I return to the classroom in the morning, still somewhat drained from all the Allendalek ups and downs, I just wanted to briefly reflect on what a turbulent yet incredible few days it’s been. So much love and support for the museum…thank you. Somehow, just to try and relax my frazzled brain….over the last two weeks I managed to complete the ‘Cheetah Person’ display. I’ve had the head kicking around for a couple of months looking longingly at m...e (he’s been perched on a table in our bedroom….and when lying down I could catch him out the corner of my eye)….
Anyway….on Friday evening, with sculpting, painting and hair gluing complete, I was able to place the head onto the rest of the original costume. Moments like this are what I did the museum for in the first place…to see the creatures I loved so much on screen stand before me!!!! Every time I complete a new display or restoration, I feel like I’m adding more value to the museum- to the visitor. Despite the small size of the museum, I want it to be packed and a worthwhile experience.
Here’s a few pics and it’s plaque- a strangely awkward sculpting process (I’ve never really drawn of sculpted a cat before!). So….another completed monster to visit at the museum! Now working on a Star trek prosthetic…putting pieces of an alien all onto a life-cast….
Meanwhile…things are a foot with the Allendalek (and now larger museum) campaign….I will keep everyone updated as soon as I have the next concrete steps forward to report. One thing is for sure…without the kindness and donations of the museum community….I wouldn’t be writing this right now!!! I know the next few weeks will continue to be testing….but my inner strength is resolved….thanks to you!
Dalek Hugs, love and all positive thoughts - Neil
See More

Hello everyone! THANK YOU!!!!!!
The last two or three days have been a genuine emotional roller-coaster for both Lisa and myself. In the middle of the week, I was beginning to feel that we were heading to a ‘closure’ situation…as requests and fault-finding from the NCC planning department began to build and their fees mounted.
And then….the community of Allendale (together with members of the broader Museum Support group) produced a crowd-funder - OVER NIGHT- to help us comb...
Continue Reading

Just uploaded Amy Lea's film from earlier this week to the museum YOUTUBE channel! If you get the time....please subscribe....quite an interesting history of the museum project building up now....! https://youtu.be/ffQy6lX8KC8

We havent done to much on Twitter, but we are trying to get support for our cause on Twitter too!! Please support us by following us @classicscifimu1 and retweeting some of our posts!! THANK YOU!!! (I will follow you all back) https://twitter.com/classicscifimu1

Life has just begun to calm down at museum H.Q! Over the next few days I will be steadily compiling the footage and photos from this most special weekend. At this point I have to mention John Levene. The following clip John insisted I filmed on Sunday morning. I now realise that this is just typical of this most incredibly giving and warm gentleman. Over the weekend John made a lot of people truly smile. He gave 100% the entire time. I became breathless just trying to keep up...! This weekend marked a a personal milestone for myself and my family- I could not have asked for a more giving and kind person to share this with. Matt Doe told me that John would 'amplify' the event through his sheer will. Never has a truer word been said. Thank you John- I will never forget this weekend. More thank-yous to follow over the next few days....the museum is well and truly open!!!! https://youtu.be/oLQIRm1iWoI
See More

looking good ......................................... ...................................

What an amazing feat! Congratulations to Neil, and his family for making this happen!

This museum looks amazing Neil has put in an incredible amount of work into this venture, and I look forward to being able to visit it

This look exciting indeed!

This is an amazing Sci-Fi museum! We visited today and were all so impressed- couldn’t believe we could see all these original items! We hope this museum is allowed to continue attracting visitors to Allendale where we also had a tasty lunch, bought presents and warmed up in front of the lovely fire in a pub!

Saw this on Amazing Interiors TV program and think its amazing. I do hope that others will visit and check out his wonderful collection. Congratulations on making your dream come true.

Meeting an actual dalek... about as terrifying as that sounds!

Love sci-fi and Neil is CRAZY with it! SALUTE to you bro!

Looks great, hope all goes well with the opening

It looks absolutely awesome I can't wait to see this definitely it's going to blow peoples minds definitely

I am always happy to support someone following their passions. Wishing you the best of luck on this amazing adventure.

Fabulous Sci Fi Museum Congratulations!

Can't wait.. what a great effort.. gonna be fantastic I'm sure.. �

After having a look around the site and seeing the potential of its transformation I can say with confidence this will be an amazing project.

Absolutely can't wait to see all the blood sweat and tears finished , this is a fantastic thing to follow , and enjoy looking forward to our visit I. The next year or so �

Absolutely brilliant very happy little boy . Very well done Neil , your art work is wonderful .

A fantastical adventure through space, time and sci-fi. I loved it as I love anything Sci-Fi related.