Eltham Centre Display 2014
Report written by Tim Surtell for our January 2015 Newsletter
Monday 1 September 2014 – Friday 24 October 2014
The Eltham Centre
Eltham
As our 2014 Meccano Show took place at the end of October, we were able to run our promotional display at the Eltham Centre for nearly two months from the 1st September.
The upper shelf was given over to entries for our Bicycle Races and other cycling-related models, with contributions from Chris Warrell, Ralph Laughton, Brian Leach, Les Chatfield and Chris Fry.
The display cabinet
Inspired by Ivor Ellard’s massive Hornby Harbour at last year’s show, I decided to create a miniature Hornby Harbour on the middle shelf to showcase Ivor’s smaller maritime models. These included a harbour crane, yachts, a seaplane and an oil rig. To the right of this were placed Douglas Windibank’s model of a Spitfire, my ice cream cart, and an example of one of the new Evolution models, a chopper motorbike built by Chris Fry.
Part of Ivor Ellard’s Hornby Harbour diorama
It was suggested by Martin Stone, my contact at the Eltham Centre, that we update the display every so often since it would be there for a long time. The lower shelf therefore started out with one working model, Adrian’s performing musicians, along with his tug boat, Cathy Claydon’s self-propelled gun, Les Chatfield’s ‘Surrey with the Fringe on Top’, Chris Fry’s telescope and tripod, and a trio of Daleks from Chris Warrell. (These got a great reaction from Doctor Who fans on Twitter!)
Chris Warrell’s trio of Daleks
In October these models were rearranged/removed, and three new working models added: Les’s back gear lathe and Adrian’s windmill pump and barn owl. Also added were Adrian’s tractor and trailer, and Chris Warrell’s railway breakdown crane.
Models from Adrian Ashford, Les Chatfield and Chris Warrell
Models from Chris Warrell, Adrian Ashford, Les Chatfield, Cathy Claydon and Chris Fry
On Wednesday 15th October I took the Lightning Leap and some of my other models along to the Centre to spend the day promoting our show. The following Monday I was joined by Brian Leach who showed off his pinball machine (shown here with Lesley from This Is Eltham), which attracted quite a crowd.
Lesley from This Is Eltham plays Brian Leach’s pinball machine
Many thanks to everyone who loaned their models and helped in setting up and looking after the display.
You can see more photos from the display in our Facebook album.