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December 2006

Up For The Challenge!

December will be a memorable month for Bolton IPMS for lots of reasons. Our December Club meeting was eagerly awaited as it was to be a modeling competition with our neighbors Warrington IPMS where we would be ‘jousting’ for the ‘Copper Bobbie’, another of the Clubs memorable trophies that we contest for. The ‘War of the Roses’ had already been won, so how would we fare against local competition?

For a long time there has been a courteous rivalry between our Clubs, but never before had we gone head to head for the honour of being hailed as the pinnacle of scale modeling excellence in the North West. I’m sure many of you have seen just how good Warrington modelers are at the many and various shows throughout the years; in fact I began to feel we were dealing with professionals as they all wore their very fetching ‘Warrington Road Show’ polo shirts on the night, John Nolan wearing his ‘El Supremo’ blush orange version to stand out that little bit more, boldly declaring their route to the top in 2006. Undismayed, Bolton IPMS members gave a hale and hearty welcome to our visitors whilst the competition tables were set out, all the time keeping a weather eye on what was being put up for acclaim. We’d arranged four classes – Aircraft, Armour, Vehicles and Miscellaneous – as we wanted to give everyone a good chance. We’d even gone so far, to ensure impartiality, as to bring in the professionals by way of two wholly independent judges – Mark from the excellent Transport Models in Preston and the editor of this esteemed magazine, our very own Spencer Pollard. Never before in the field of scale modeling had two unsuspecting victims been handed such a ‘poison chalice’ as the judging task they had bravely – some would say foolishly – agreed to take on. On the tables there were upwards of 50 models which it was generally agreed where of the highest quality, some said even rivaling, nay exceeding, the standards of this years ScaleModelWorld competitions. Excellence abounded and the judge’s task wasn’t made any easier by the fact that Bolton IPMS could only reach to four bottles of wine for prizes, so it was clear there would be many who would go home disappointed.

Models out on the tables a deathly hush ensued and judging commenced. Whilst Mark and Spencer set about their ‘onerous task’, refreshments were served to keep the baying crowd of modelers occupied – have you noticed that you only need to give a modeler something to do with his hands and he’s happy? Bolton IPMS specializes in providing some of the best ‘pie and peas’ around and this night was no exception – I personally know of one modeler, who shall remain nameless, who had no less than three helpings! Good luck to him, it was there to be eaten and enjoyed!

The results were in and, cowards that they are, Spencer and Mark had decided that to reduce their chances of being lynched they’d award second and third places and even commendeds! Spencer put it in context when he said that the overall quality was so high across the board, and there were so many deserving models, that the judges task was extremely difficult, but unfortunately there can only be one winner in each class So here are the main prize winners:-

Aircraft – 1st. prize went to Mike O’Brien of Bolton IPMS with his truly excellent 1/48th. Scale Panther

Armour – 1st. prize to Simon Halden of Warrington IPMS with his delightful 1/35th. scale M.51 Super Sherman.

Vehicles – 1st. prize to Ray Ashworth of Bolton IPMS with his 1/43rd. scale multi-media kit of a Lola T.70 CanAm car.

Miscellaneous – 1st. prize to Adrian Hopwood of Bolton IPMS with his stunning1/6th. scale resin figure of ‘Astrouth the Demon’.

Truly some of the best models to be seen and each deserving of the ‘vintage’ wines lovingly awarded - which is more than can be said of the thank you gifts for the judges! Has anyone ever heard of a sherry called Garveys?? – thanks Pat!!

We mustn’t forget those mentioned in dispatches by our judges for their superb efforts. Simon again from Warrington with a really great Fleet Air Arm Avenger, Dave Foxall with a 1/32nd. Strike Eagle and our Derek Barton with his tremendous diorama of a Sherman on a bridge - very well done guys!

Prizes having been awarded it only remained for me to thank everyone for their participation, the judges for their sterling efforts and Dave Swift for taking on the bulk of the organization of the evening. I think everyone who attended really enjoyed the evening and the spirit in which it was conducted. We’ve re-forged our liaison with Warrington who, even though they didn’t manage to win ‘Copper Bobbie’ by competition and somehow managed to knock his block off – well done Dave! – seemed to enjoy the proceedings - so much so that a re-match has been arranged for 2007.

Bolton IPMS is a thriving Club with 30+ active members. The Club won the day with 3 class wins to 1 and took the glittering prize – even though he currently doesn’t have a head, however he should be restored by the time of our show on 21st. January,2007 – but more than anything we enjoyed the night and the company of like minded modelers – isn’t this what our hobby is supposed to be about? Long may it be so!

Anyone else out there think they’re ‘hard enough’ to contest Bolton IPMS and sample our hospitality and pie and peas?

Stephen D. Summerfield.
Proud Chairman (if not a little smug!) of Bolton IPMS.