Erith Model Railway Society Exhibition 2011
Reports written by Brian Elvidge and Peter Clay for our September 2011 Newsletter
Wednesday 4 May 2011 – Thursday 5 May 2011
The Royal Artillery Museum
Woolwich
As a result of his attendance at Adrian Ashford’s Hornby Trains Show in Welling with a tower crane, Brian Elvidge was invited to exhibit the same model at the Erith Model Railway Society’s annual exhibition at the Firepower Museum in Woolwich. He extended the invitation to SELMEC members and only Peter Clay was able to join him. The exhibition was over the weekend of 4th and 5th June.
Here are two separate (edited) reports from Brian and Peter:
Brian Elvidge’s Report
Upon arrival at Firepower, first impressions were of a well run professional exhibition. I was very quickly shown my place up on the first floor, at the head of a flight of stairs, where two tables with power were set up and the models and SELMEC publicity material laid out.
In terms of visiting members of SELMEC, it was very disappointing not to see more at the venue: Only Jim Arthur on the Saturday and Adrian Ashford on the Sunday. The stand had a few enquiries about selling and buying Meccano parts and may result in some future business for David Taylor. Expenses were fully refunded to both Peter and I in cash.
In model terms, my crane had a very good lively reception and was well received both days. The same can be said for Peter’s Meccanograph on the Sunday. On the Sunday afternoon heavy rain somewhat disrupted the loading of the model into my car. In all, a good show, with many good layouts and trade stands in an interesting venue.
Brian’s tower crane
Peter Clay’s Report
I went on the Sunday with my new Meccanograph plus a few small models of dragsters and cars. Unfortunately the batteries in the car had died. The Meccanograph was the most interesting item to me and worked well; in fact I was so pleased I have extended its capabilities and planned to take it to Skegness. It went down well with children, parents and grandparents alike — not to mention railway club members, museum staff and soldiers (we wondered if the latter minded their stint of duty at the museum?). Young admirers took my best designs — a hazard Meccanograph builders live with, but more flattering than the inevitable repetitions of “Look, William, a Spirograph!" I was too busy to get much of a look round but it is a very good venue to appear at. We certainly ‘flew the flag’ both for the hobby and the club, with many visitors taking our exhibition notices.
As those present at the June SELMEC meeting will know, I was approached by Paul Plummer of the Erith Model Railway Society about our club putting on an exhibition next year on the same (Jubilee) weekend.
Not even the heavy rain I had to walk back to the bus stop through could damp what was a successful day.