WHEN Cornerstone’s caretaker Alf Walsh decided to build a TARDIS for the centre’s ‘Intergalactic Day’ he surfed the internet for accurate blueprints and then built a full-size copy out of chipboard.
The home-made Doctor Who time machine is the star attraction at a space-based literacy day at the Langworthy Cornerstone, aimed at improving English.
Alf, 49, of Philip Street, Eccles, said: "When I heard they were having this Intergalactic Day, I decided to see what I could do to help.
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"I have never built anything like this before so I just looked it up on the internet and got the general dimensions of the TARDIS and started to build it with my mate George Blagden, using chipboard.
"It took about 10 hours and we had to construct it outside because it was too big for my house, and George then helped me transport it to the Cornerstone in his van.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen to it after Saturday. I hope it will stay at the Cornerstone - it certainly won’t be coming back home - my wife thinks I’m mad enough for building it in the first place!
"And anyway, I was not that much of a Dr Who fan as a child. It was alright at first but I quickly transferred my loyalties to Star Wars."
The Langworthy Cornerstone is staging its Intergalactic Day as part of the BBC’s Raw City initiative, designed to encourage literacy skills across the UK.
The machine will stand in the hall and will have a letter box in it that children can post their sci-fi short story competition entries.
Every time they do so, the flashing light on the top is activated and suitable Dr Who-style noises, such as the TARDIS taking off and the Daleks ‘Exterminate’ command will be heard.
The short story competition is just one of many attractions featured during the day.
Others include a visit by Dr Who scriptwriter Steve Cole, who will be conducting a writing seminar and judging the winning entries in the story competition.
Fans of the show, which used to star Eccles-based actor Christopher Eccleston, will be given instructions on how to construct their own Dalek, there will be alien fancy dress competitions, ‘alien’ food, and treasure hunts.
For further details regarding the Saturday, January 20 event ring the Cornerstone on: 0161 212 4400.
Ailsa Cranna
The home-made Doctor Who time machine is the star attraction at a space-based literacy day at the Langworthy Cornerstone, aimed at improving English.
Alf, 49, of Philip Street, Eccles, said: "When I heard they were having this Intergalactic Day, I decided to see what I could do to help.
Advertisement
P.incontentad, P.incontentad H5 { display: none }
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"I have never built anything like this before so I just looked it up on the internet and got the general dimensions of the TARDIS and started to build it with my mate George Blagden, using chipboard.
"It took about 10 hours and we had to construct it outside because it was too big for my house, and George then helped me transport it to the Cornerstone in his van.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen to it after Saturday. I hope it will stay at the Cornerstone - it certainly won’t be coming back home - my wife thinks I’m mad enough for building it in the first place!
"And anyway, I was not that much of a Dr Who fan as a child. It was alright at first but I quickly transferred my loyalties to Star Wars."
The Langworthy Cornerstone is staging its Intergalactic Day as part of the BBC’s Raw City initiative, designed to encourage literacy skills across the UK.
The machine will stand in the hall and will have a letter box in it that children can post their sci-fi short story competition entries.
Every time they do so, the flashing light on the top is activated and suitable Dr Who-style noises, such as the TARDIS taking off and the Daleks ‘Exterminate’ command will be heard.
The short story competition is just one of many attractions featured during the day.
Others include a visit by Dr Who scriptwriter Steve Cole, who will be conducting a writing seminar and judging the winning entries in the story competition.
Fans of the show, which used to star Eccles-based actor Christopher Eccleston, will be given instructions on how to construct their own Dalek, there will be alien fancy dress competitions, ‘alien’ food, and treasure hunts.
For further details regarding the Saturday, January 20 event ring the Cornerstone on: 0161 212 4400.
Ailsa Cranna
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