By Leon Azor / Cloud City Collector – for Star Wars Autograph News

Echo Base Live returned to Redditch with a Galaxy of Creatures–themed event, featuring a fantastic line-up of signers and the most diverse range of Star Wars merchandise fans could hope to find. Founded on April 9th 2016 by Adam Pemberton, Echo Base Live has become a cornerstone of the UK Star Wars collecting calendar. Hosted twice a year at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in Redditch, it continues to draw fans, collectors, and signers together for a day devoted entirely to that galaxy far, far away.

Once again, Echo Base Live proved why it remains a highlight of the Star Wars calendar — a gathering where passion, nostalgia, and community collide in the best possible way.

The Charity Dinner: An Evening with the Star Wars Creature Performers

The celebrations began the night before, with the now-traditional charity dinner organised by Wayne Totty at the Abbey Hotel & Spa.

For £60, guests were treated to a Buck’s Fizz reception, an exclusive group photo with all attending signers, a three-course meal, unlimited teas and coffees, and an evening of entertainment featuring the ever-excellent Max Repro Band and a Star Wars-themed quiz.

These dinners have become a highlight of the Echo Base Live experience — intimate, relaxed, filled with laughter and good company.

This time, I was fortunate to be seated next to the legendary creature performer Brian Herring, best known for bringing BB-8 to life in the sequel trilogy. Over dinner, Brian and I talked film — Star Wars, Superman, and Alien. I was fascinated to learn he also worked on Prometheus, one of my personal favourites.

After the meal, the Max Repros returned to the stage between quiz rounds, keeping spirits high and feet tapping. Great company, live music, and a first-class meal — the perfect launchpad for the weekend’s festivities.

Autographs from a Galaxy of Creatures

I arrived at Echo the next morning and headed straight for the autograph area — the heart of the event for me.

Paul Weston was first on my list. A veteran stunt coordinator whose career spans Star Wars, Superman, and James Bond, Paul never runs out of incredible behind-the-scenes stories. He signed a Vintage Collection figure of his character Niktō

Whilst browsing his table photos, I spotted a fantastic shot with Christopher Reeve on the set of Superman III. Paul shared how Reeve had taken him to see Rocky III at the cinema — “he was absolutely buzzing about it,” Paul laughed, recalling how they ended up re-enacting the film’s fight scene on set. Naturally, I couldn’t resist having him sign that photo too.

Next up was Paul Blake, the actor behind Greedo in the A New Hope cantina scene. Paul added his signature to a Vintage Collection figure I’d picked up on eBay for a bargain £15, then neatly inscribed my growing Cantina 10×20 display with a gold Secura paint pen.

I then met Eileen Roberts for the first time — a lovely encounter that added another autograph to the my cantina 10×20 multi-piece.

I then moved on to a particularly rare guest: Ailsa Berk, the performer who brought Amanaman to life in Return of the Jedi. Ailsa was warm, gracious, and generous with her time, explaining how the elaborate creature suit worked: “I climbed in from the back, with a small flap near the neck to see out,” she told me. “Simon Williamson operated one of the arms.” She signed an 8×10 table photo beautifully in black Deco paint — a perfect addition to the collection.

The Show Floor: A Collector’s Playground

With my autographs complete, I spent time exploring the trading area — a treasure trove of Star Wars history. Stalls were stacked with vintage and modern pieces: carded figures from the original Kenner line, loose figures, playsets, and rare modern exclusives.

There’s also a wealth of display options for the discerning collectors out there that have the wall space! I would like to give a shout out GW Acrylic who are a regular at Echo base Live and are the gold standard in display cases, they have all the bases covered in the outstanding offerings.

Another regular trader are the well established autograph providers Elite Signatures As well as selling autographs Elite were also showcasing some of their top loaders and comic book sleeves which were an absolute hit with collectors!

Community at Its Core

Echo Base Live runs twice a year, usually in April and October, and remains one of the few events dedicated solely to Star Wars collecting. Entry after 10 a.m. is free, keeping it open and accessible to all.

What makes Echo truly special isn’t just the guests — it’s the community. From collectors bringing rare treasures to trade, to fans travelling from across the UK and beyond, everyone adds to the atmosphere. Adam Pemberton and his team deserve huge credit for creating something that feels both professional and personal.

Echo Base Live along with the charity dinner successfully raised an incredible £4784.60 for BUDS disability charity which is a testament to the organisers and Stars fan community, an initiative I think the larger corporate conventions could do more of!

Events like this are the beating heart of Star Wars fandom — gatherings built on shared passion, connection, and nostalgia. Long may they continue.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of meeting the people behind your favourite characters, hunting for that missing piece of your collection, or simply spending a day surrounded by what I would call the most diverse set of Star Wars merch all under one roof then make sure you’re at the next Echo Base Live. In this galaxy, the Force isn’t just strong — it’s shared

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