Shire Oak Academy. A new dawn.
A new dawn a new venue Shire Oak Academy Walsall Wood.
After last years show it was decided to look for a new venue. And so the show team spent many hours finding an ideal venue and this was it.
I myself have been a recent convert to Sutton Coldfield Model Makers Society. And having said that it has been a great breath of fresh air from the days of being spoken at rather than spoken to. So with that I have got really stuck in to prove my worth.
The show for me started on the Saturday, which was set up day. I arrived with my wife at 0900 and met Mark Knight and Andy Lawson. I teamed up with Andy and we started mapping out the main hall, which was a vast gym. The area was divided into Four blocks and an outer area. In the main this hall was used for Traders with a few clubs placed in for good measure, including the host club Sutton Coldfield.
Three other rooms were also used. One downstairs and Two upstairs which included the competition room.
Over the next Four hours and with the set up crew, many many tables were shifted from classrooms in to the main hall and rooms. At around 1p.m a couple of traders arrived to set up including M.A.N Models and Avid reader. It was all hands to the pumps and stock was in for set up.
Set up day ended mid afternoon and I must say was a great swift team effort. And I would say I am very proud of everyone who took part. You are all a credit to the Society.
I left the day tired but happy.
Show day now and it was up with the Larks, or in our case Long tailed Tits. After a shower and breakfast, it was off again up the Chester Road to Shire Oak arriving at 07.30. The club members soon got into work mode helping many of the traders with their wares for set up.
My own day was to comprise of helping M.A.N Models set up/trade. Then help Andy Lawson as the Taliman. Then Judge the competition with Andy Lawson. It was to prove manic to say the least, but very satisfying.
As the day progressed everyone looked happy with ladies and gents buying and discussing the world and its merits and pitfalls. Traders were busy selling their wares. At MAN Models we had the new Takom Whippet and the Trumpeter TOS which were a delight to see. At this juncture I have to report, we had a theft at MAN Models. I do wonder what mind set these people or person has. I assure who ever it was the worm will turn. And when it does rest assured you will see the full force of the law. Enough said on this matter.
Soon it was results time in the competition and show end. But for Sutton members it was break down. This took around Three hours and I must say was a very slick operation. Well done everyone, i bow to your team efforts.
Some of us in fact Eleven had then decided to go to the Buffet Island restaurant for a feed. And by God I needed it. Aching back and feet were soothed by the nice Chilli chicken and mushrooms mmm mmm. The conversation flowed and Jimmy Two plates came out to play. By Nine Thirty it was time to go home and bed.
As I close the narrative I would like to say thank you to every one, club and traders a like. And to Peter Bowyer of MAN and Paul Fitzmaurice of Little Cars for their generosity in donating stock for the Tombola.
It is now time for the show as always enjoy and I will be back next year hopefully at the same venue.
Just for the record, here are the first place results and the trophies:
Class 1 - Aircraft 1/72nd + smaller: Bill Mohan (IPMS Birmingham) - Westland Scout AH.1
Class 2 - Aircraft 1/71st + larger: John Gerring (Stoker on Trent) - BAe Hawk T1
Class 3 - Military vehicles 1/72 + smaller: John Ham - Japanese type 74 tank...
Class 4 - Military vehicles 1/71st + larger: Neil Crayton (Staffs. Moorlands) - Crusader III AA
Class 5 - Civilian transport: Bob Steele (UMS) - 1969 Hemi Charger
Class 6 - Figures/Busts: Craig Spencer - Saint George
Class 7 - Diorama: Daryl Gamble - Lockheed P-38 repairs
Class 8 - Marine: Shaun Bowater - HMS Nelson
Class 9 - Science Fiction/Fantasy: Martin Abraham - R2D2
Class 10 - Open: Karen Cope - Tyrannosaurus Rex
Class 11 - Junior: Matt Goulden - Aston Martin DB9R
Best of Show was Craig Spencer's figure ' Saint George'; best Junior and winner of the George Canning Shield was Matt Goulden's Aston Martin DB9; and the Best Club Stand trophy was awarded to Stoke on Trent
After last years show it was decided to look for a new venue. And so the show team spent many hours finding an ideal venue and this was it.
I myself have been a recent convert to Sutton Coldfield Model Makers Society. And having said that it has been a great breath of fresh air from the days of being spoken at rather than spoken to. So with that I have got really stuck in to prove my worth.
The show for me started on the Saturday, which was set up day. I arrived with my wife at 0900 and met Mark Knight and Andy Lawson. I teamed up with Andy and we started mapping out the main hall, which was a vast gym. The area was divided into Four blocks and an outer area. In the main this hall was used for Traders with a few clubs placed in for good measure, including the host club Sutton Coldfield.
Three other rooms were also used. One downstairs and Two upstairs which included the competition room.
Over the next Four hours and with the set up crew, many many tables were shifted from classrooms in to the main hall and rooms. At around 1p.m a couple of traders arrived to set up including M.A.N Models and Avid reader. It was all hands to the pumps and stock was in for set up.
Set up day ended mid afternoon and I must say was a great swift team effort. And I would say I am very proud of everyone who took part. You are all a credit to the Society.
I left the day tired but happy.
Show day now and it was up with the Larks, or in our case Long tailed Tits. After a shower and breakfast, it was off again up the Chester Road to Shire Oak arriving at 07.30. The club members soon got into work mode helping many of the traders with their wares for set up.
My own day was to comprise of helping M.A.N Models set up/trade. Then help Andy Lawson as the Taliman. Then Judge the competition with Andy Lawson. It was to prove manic to say the least, but very satisfying.
As the day progressed everyone looked happy with ladies and gents buying and discussing the world and its merits and pitfalls. Traders were busy selling their wares. At MAN Models we had the new Takom Whippet and the Trumpeter TOS which were a delight to see. At this juncture I have to report, we had a theft at MAN Models. I do wonder what mind set these people or person has. I assure who ever it was the worm will turn. And when it does rest assured you will see the full force of the law. Enough said on this matter.
Soon it was results time in the competition and show end. But for Sutton members it was break down. This took around Three hours and I must say was a very slick operation. Well done everyone, i bow to your team efforts.
Some of us in fact Eleven had then decided to go to the Buffet Island restaurant for a feed. And by God I needed it. Aching back and feet were soothed by the nice Chilli chicken and mushrooms mmm mmm. The conversation flowed and Jimmy Two plates came out to play. By Nine Thirty it was time to go home and bed.
As I close the narrative I would like to say thank you to every one, club and traders a like. And to Peter Bowyer of MAN and Paul Fitzmaurice of Little Cars for their generosity in donating stock for the Tombola.
It is now time for the show as always enjoy and I will be back next year hopefully at the same venue.
Just for the record, here are the first place results and the trophies:
Class 1 - Aircraft 1/72nd + smaller: Bill Mohan (IPMS Birmingham) - Westland Scout AH.1
Class 2 - Aircraft 1/71st + larger: John Gerring (Stoker on Trent) - BAe Hawk T1
Class 3 - Military vehicles 1/72 + smaller: John Ham - Japanese type 74 tank...
Class 4 - Military vehicles 1/71st + larger: Neil Crayton (Staffs. Moorlands) - Crusader III AA
Class 5 - Civilian transport: Bob Steele (UMS) - 1969 Hemi Charger
Class 6 - Figures/Busts: Craig Spencer - Saint George
Class 7 - Diorama: Daryl Gamble - Lockheed P-38 repairs
Class 8 - Marine: Shaun Bowater - HMS Nelson
Class 9 - Science Fiction/Fantasy: Martin Abraham - R2D2
Class 10 - Open: Karen Cope - Tyrannosaurus Rex
Class 11 - Junior: Matt Goulden - Aston Martin DB9R
Best of Show was Craig Spencer's figure ' Saint George'; best Junior and winner of the George Canning Shield was Matt Goulden's Aston Martin DB9; and the Best Club Stand trophy was awarded to Stoke on Trent