During the run up to Destination Star Trek London 2014, our Facebook group The Good Ship USS Riker’s Beard set out to make THE best after show party in the galaxy. If you have read my previous posts, you should know what I’m talking about (click here and here).
After a lot of hard work, mainly on the part of Captain James Dillon, the sets were completed on time, delivered to a local hotel across from the ExCel centre and assembled.
The sets included a bank of Enterprise-D bridge monitors and consoles, which was set up in the main seating area of the Ibis Styles (Custom House) Hotel.
We also had a transporter pad and wall display, a transporter console and the centre piece, a USS Enterprise-D captain’s chair.
Once the group members had their fill of the convention, and a quick visit to the official party, they all descended on the hotel for wild antics, in-depth Trek conversation and a Khaaaaannnn shout-out along side Admiral Kirk during a showing of The Wrath Of Khan.
News of our sets spread among the convention goers, attracting the attention of the con organisers Media10 and Showmasters, where a number of their crew could be seen checking us out and reporting back – Our Mission Was Complete.
Other people that heard about our little party, celebrity guests of the convention no less, came to have a gander and partake in our festivities. First up was Larry Nemecek, Star Trek guru, who participated on stage in a number of talks, and none other than a real Starfleet Captain…Forrester from Star Trek: Enterprise sat in the captain’s chair.
To make all this happen, group members purchased a small pin badge and lanyard in the Riker’s Beard colours, that contributed to the cost of the set build. A Star Trek themed raffle was also held, where hundreds of Trekkie memorabilia was on offer.
The highlight was a once in a life-time chance to own the Riker’s Beard transporter console, signed by Enterprise-D transporter chief himself, Miles O’Brien, actor Colm Meaney, who attended DST3 and was happy to sign the console (although he declined to “use” it saying “I’ve had my fill”)
All surplus money raised was donated to our three nominated charities which are:
Action for M.E.
The Royal British Legion
Refuge
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED: £766.09
The sets were in place for the entire weekend and were enjoyed by hundreds of people, group members or not, even the locals got involved as did the hotel, who put on Star Trek related menu’s and alcoholic drinks, including Romulan Ale.
So what’s next for the Riker’s Beard sets? We hope to add as much as we can to our collection, possibly a whole Enterprise-D bridge set, full transporter room, and whatever else our imaginations, artistic ability and of course, budget allows.
To make this happen we need members, we need these members to make periodic donations to get the job done, and we need to organise ourselves to appear at the smaller conventions that happen around the UK.
You are welcome to join our crew on Facebook by clicking here, the more members we have, the more we can achieve.
If you are on Facebook, and if you can find us, maybe you can hire, the USS Riker’s Beard.
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