Museum of Classic Science Fiction

Fancy an eclectic day out? Then visit Allendale where you might bump into a Dalek and Dr Who's Tardis. In this quintessential English market town with winsome stone houses, you can imagine being in an episode of Doctor Who where you've just stepped out of the Tardis as the Doctor's assistant.

It is pleasing to come out into the Pennines area of outstanding beauty and have something different to experience. The Museum of Classic Science Fiction presents a creative interlude and Robbie the Robot is there to greet you at the door. He comes from a 1956 American film Forbidden Planet and went on to feature in other movies. Watch out though for the Dalek which can exterminate any errant homo sapiens at whim.

Neil Cole the creator and curator is just what you would expect from a sci-fi aficionado. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by Dr Who, Marvel and sci-fi. His day job was as an art teacher where he learned skills in modelling and renovating props and costumes. His enthusiasm is infectious and he greets you warmly into his den of antiquity, there is life inside, but not as we know it!

If you were a time lord you would need to know that 'science fiction is based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets.' (Thank you Wikipedia).

The museum is in the basement of a three-story Georgian 'townhouse' that Neil acquired in 2015. It had been neglected for possibly 100 years. If it wasn't for the Dalek and Robbie the Robot you wouldn't expect this to be a museum.

For the renovation here is what is stated on the website:

'Work commenced in April 2015 restoring the near derelict, 300-hundred-year-old cellar of the Grade II listed Osborne House in Allendale. This was a monumental task with crumbling walls and ceilings, dampened mortar, and flooding. Ultimately it took nearly three years for Neil (with some support from family and friends!) to complete restoration of the stonework which included repairing a vaulted room and smashed fireplace. Neil spent many, many, long dark nights after a day's teaching, angle grinding out mortar and repointing.'

There was a grand opening in 2018 and all went well until a few weeks later the council deemed the hut that the homemade Dalek lived in was out of keeping with the look of Allendale. Neil argued the Dalek was instrumental to the museum's success. The council took issue. Quite a juxtaposed position as Daleks are considered to be Xenophobic. From an internet report, it stated:

'Overnight, fans raised more than double the money needed to pay the citation fees, with enough left over to hire a planning expert. A petition to save the AllenDalek (See what they did there?!) collected more than 3,000 online and physical signatures.'

Community spirit didn't stop there, they created their own Daleks with hemispherical protrusions (Dalek-bumps) in all shapes and size, and the area showed great support for the museum. Here are some stills from an article that went out at the time Alfie Joey visits Neil Cole's 'Museum of Classic Sci-Fi

A compromise was eventually sought and the Dalek remained firmly on guard outside the museum but Neil with his sonic screwdriver dismantled the shed and gave it to a playgroup. This Dalek was made by Neil who said:

"There were only about 12 Daleks made and they are sold for thousands of pounds." Even this one has to be chained up.

Neil is also proud to have mainly genuine props. As word got around items have been donated that can be considered priceless or one of a kind, and better than going to private collections. You can expect costumes, props, artwork, and details of these pieces. Mr Cole Has meticulously researched and renovated each piece.

There cannot be anyone who has not seen one of some of these creations on film or television.

Just to mention Allendale Town could well be suited to time travellers especially as there is an annual event on New Year's Eve called the Baal/Tar Bar Festival where 45 local men dress up as 'guisers' in robes befitting a pantomime and carry a barrel upon their head, which is has lighted embers inside. Collectively they gather around a pile of wood and throw their burning embers onto it chanting “Be damned to he who throws last”. This tradition goes back to 1858.

Please check opening times either through the Museum of Classic Science Fiction website/Facebook or by phoning, as Neil may have to close due to weather or he may be able to open for you outside normal hours.

If you need the toilets, there are some inside The Forge Studios, an art center, and a tea room in the Market Place.

To complete your day why not explore the area as there are lead mining remains and pleasant river walks especially the Blackett Level.