IT WAS the return of the Jedi on Saturday as the ever-popular Star Wars-themed Echo Base Live event arrived at the Kingfisher Centre for its latest fly-in visit.
Cosplayers ranging from Jedi Ahsoka Tano and Sith Lord Darth Vader to Mandalorian Bo Katan roamed the shopping centre, looking at the tables packed full of collectables.
The sweeping dunes of Tatooine came to Redditch in a stunning recreation of Jabba the Hutt’s throne room, complete with a model of the intergalactic gangster along with his minion Salacious Crumb.
Guests from a Galaxy Far Far Away joined in the force-filled fun, signing autographs for fees.
Among them were Paul Brooke, who played the Rancor keeper in Return of the Jedi, and Toby Philpott, who was one of the puppeteers operating Jabba the Hutt in the same film.
The night before, a star guest dinner was held at the Abbey Hotel for fans of the space opera to share a meal and a chat with those who helped to make the classic saga possible.
A member of the event admin team chooses a charity important to them each year – this time a record £4,279 was raised for Lichfield charity Friends 2 Friends, which supports adults with learning disabilities, other vulnerable adults and their carers.
Since the Echo Base collecting group first introduced fund-raising in 2015 it has generated more than £100,000 for good causes.
And the team behind the event has confirmed Echo Base Live will be returning to Redditch in 2024.
