After
months of organising by the committee and it's attendants,
and thanks to them all especially Dave Swift, we all met at
Adlington on what turned out to be a glorious, if a little
chilly, day weatherise. We bravely put on display our latest
efforts for viewing by the critical eyes of our modelling
compatriots and to enjoy a further dose of retail therapy
to the delight of the many retailers we had present. On talking
to them they all seemed to have a had a profitable day and
once again enjoyed the friendly atmosphere we seem to be able
to furnish year on year. Not only did we proffer up a friendly
atmosphere but we also provided catering, if not to a cordon
bleu level, certainly to a level that filled the tum of the
modelling fraternity in a most satisfying manner - well done
to Ray Ashworth for organising that part and I'm sure quite
unwittingly, providing some very nice 'eye candy'! I mustn't
overlook the staunch support of Dave's wife Maureen and Mike
O'Brien's wife Iris for manning the hot water cistern throughout
the day to keep the tea and coffee flowing for the workers
- and some not so hard workers. |
Our
theme this year was 'The Desert' and the table put aside for
the display was creaking with the weight of efforts, both
serious and not so serious. There were some delightful models
on display spread right across the modelling spectrum and
this only made the job of the judges, Neil Robinson from Model
Alliance etc. and his cohorts, all the more difficult. Neil
confided in me that the decision was made all the harder as
my 25pdr. effort (that's a model, not a motion.) was in contention,
but as he knew it was mine, it still wouldn't have been good
enough to win. We had asked him to pick out one winner (being
tight we only wanted to give one prize!) but he insisted that
the level of modelling was so good that he would pick out
two winners from a short list of 6 and very generously donated
an extra prize. We had been favoured by Mark at Transport
Models of Preston earlier in the day, who had very kindly
donated two very large kits, one military and one aviation,
so we decided to utilise one of these as the main prize. How
the Gods of 'good fortune' must have been smiling on us that
day as the winner, an LRDG Chevrolet truck by a modeller who's
name has disappeared into the ether, was not interested in
aeroplanes and didn't drink and was therefore very happy to
accept the Kubelwagen donated by Mark - phew what a relief!
The other prize, not second place, was won by our 'modelling
God' Mike O'Brien with a 1/48th scale Hurricane based on Malta
- very well done Mike, it's a lovely model!
Our theme for 2006 will be 'Animals' and already a fierce
debate is in play. Can a Hornet, Owl or any other insect,
bird or even fish be seen as appropriate subjects for the
theme next year? Having deliberated and agonised with myself
for all of 2 minutes, since I want to strive to complete a
He.219 'Uhu' (the German for owl for you great unwashed.)
and even possibly a Hornisse SP gun, I, 'with the power invested
in me as your Chairman' and obergruppenfuhrer, have ruled
that all the foregoing are perfectly acceptable subjects for
our theme in 2006 - so there! If in doubt, if it's got a human
animal inside it, it qualifies!!!
|
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We
were also able to benefit the Tsunami Fund and the British
Heart Foundation and I think most, if not all the members
thoroughly enjoyed themselves, many taking the chance to stock
up with the latest desire of their hearts. We will be doing
it again in 2006 and look forward to the continuing support
from the club members, especially on the Saturday before to
help set up, together with the traders, all of whom have confirmed
they want to return |
