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GLUED UP-ISSUE 1 2007-January.
Welcome to the first Glued Up in a long, long while. Hopefully this should
be the first in a regular series of missives to help us say in touch with
each other as not everyone can make it to each meeting night.
There are many faces that we haven't seen for some time, though this does
not take away the fact that we have a very regular core base of kit bashers
every other Tuesday. One of the nicest aspects of being a Kempston & District
member is that we all appear to be the essence of what the hobby is about-fun
and relaxation. There is none of the elitism or denigration of others efforts
that often permeates other clubs. Everyone appreciates others' creations
and those with the real skill are willing to pass on their knowledge. Much
of what gets produced is a real inspiration. It is a pleasure to be part
of this club. The more of you that we can see every other week, the more
this spirit can grow.
Meanwhile feel free to email me on mark.peacock@btconnect.com with
anything modelling related that you want in print-reviews, opinions on the
modelling scene in general or any items that you want to sell, swap or are
looking for. A hints and tips/troubleshooting column from members would be
good, right through to suggestions for club days out. Seeking out that elusive
decal to complete your latest project? Just ask-a club member may have just
what you are looking for. Which reminds me. Chris Chandler , pick up the
white courtesy phone. I want to know if the Canovac Stirling Mk IV nose that
I gave you is still virgo intacta. I need it back.
Meanwhile-read on......
MR & ME CLOSES ITS DOORS
It's always a sad day when
a hobby store closes.. A sign of the times perhaps that the mix of rising
business rates, growth in internet trading and a lack of awareness of construction
kit building as a hobby amongst the general public that has driven the nail
into many a long established store. However we still have alternatives which
I list below. Likewise if anyone comes across any new outlets that are within
an hour's car journey just let me know. In the meantime I'm sure that we
all offer our thanks to Tony, Andy and Steve for providing the excellent
facility for us and the community in general for so many years.
My suggested alternative local or reachable sources are:
Goldings , High Street Bedford
Toymaster Kingdom ,
High Street Bedford
Games Workshop , Greyfriars, Bedford
Lou Stener Model Supplies , Bedford 296966 (military specialist.
mail order, webshop, attends shows) Contact Lou Stener
T&R Models, Wellingborough 01933 273388 contact Martin
Hollebone
Models For Sale , Bozeat 01933 666999 (mail order only,
very good webshop) contact Vince Brown
PDI Model Supplies , North Furzton Milton Keynes 01908
505988 (military specialist, mail order, webshop, attends shows) contact
Phill Smith
Auto Models , Central Milton Keynes Shopping
Centre (just by M&S-mix of kits and diecast. Manager is a small scale
armour modeller)
Littlecars.com , Olney 711980 (excellent
for tools and materials. Is considering increasing his kit stock in the new
year. Good 1/43 car and Eduard inventory. Mail order, webshop, attends shows)
Contact Paul Fitzmaurice
Hobbycraft , Northampton (main
kit brands, Games Workshop and excellent again for materials)
HG Hannant , North London , 020 8205 6697 contact Carmel
Attard
James Stanton has spoken with the head man at Goldings. He seems to regard
the demise of MR & ME as a positive opportunity for him and is actively
looking to increase his kit stock after the London Toy Fair.
As MR & ME
used to form something of an informal out-of-club meeting place for us,
perhaps we ought to be looking to cultivate closer relationships with some
of these retailers with a view to negotiating some club member benefits and
model demos in store a bit further down the line. Suggestions, please.
FORTHCOMING SHOWS
Modelkraft 2007, Bletchley Leisure Centre, Milton
Keynes , Feb 4 th 10am-5pm
Fleet Air Arm Museum Model
Show, FAA Museum Yeovilton,
Feb 10 th 10am-5pm
IPMS Wakefield Huddersfield Show, Huddersfield Sports
Centre, Southgate , Huddersfield ,
Feb 11th
Modelsport 2007, Holiday Inn, Telford, March 25
th (for car modelling enthusiasts)
IPMS Scottish Nationals,
Dewars Centre, Perth ,
April 28/29 th
I am currently investigating the ModellBrno show in the Czech Republic in
June as a club weekend. Brno is cheap to get to and to stay in and the modelling
standard is superb. It is also a good place to pick up home brewed Czech
modelling products at local prices. The KPM Brno crowd are very hospitable
and potentially a good club with which to form a twinning arrangement.
CLUB DAY OUT
James Stanton initiated an idea for club days out last year, the first being
a trip to the Imperial War Museum in London on April 1st.
So with lunch boxes packed and travelcards at the ready our intrepid advance
party congregated at Bedford Station at 9.00 am to brave the rigours of First
Capital Connect. Hadleigh and Louise take up the story...
We found our train on Platform 1 and boarded it for the capital, the journey
being made quicker by discussion about what we really wanted to see. After
reaching Kings Cross we put ourselves in the hands of Bob, who has an alter
ego as a mole thanks to his years of working on London Underground. We grabbed
the tube to Elephant & Castle only having got there, to be confused by
a very large roundabout above ground. Had it been below ground it might have
confused Bob less. However, having got our bearings, a short ten minute walk
found us at the gates to the IWM.
The museum entrance sports two massive guns putting everything else we were
likely to see in perspective. On entry we saw a Sherman , Jagdpanther, FW190
A-8, P51-D and both V-1 and V-2 rockets. We then made our way downstairs
to the WW1-II displays which were very interesting. All the displays had
full explanation on the conflicts on screens showing real footage with placards,
real weapons and uniforms and memorabilia. There really is too much to take
in in one day-you could do with a whole week to take it all in.
We then entered the WW1 trench experience complete with sounds, smells and
bodies (thankfully not real)
After a good two hours we moved up to look at the upper displays and the
aircraft suspended from the ceiling. A few of us looked round the Holocaust
Experience. We all found it quite shocking at what was done in the camps.
Photos showed in graphic details what was done to Jewish inmates and how
they were disposed of.
After a long hard day we sought the tube and some well-earned food before
heading home.
Both of us thought that this was a great day out and that we should do more
events like this to keep club membership interesting and fun.
Many thanks to James for organising the day. Let's do more in the future.
And Finally...
I'm off to the Nuremburg Toy Fair first weekend in February so the next
missive will be produced after this and the Milton Keynes show. Hopefully
we provide a brief report on both.
Please feel free to submit anything for inclusion to me at any time.. Just
pick up the phone or lob me an email. Meanwhile, have fun modelling-it's
what the hobby is about.
Best wishes to all
Mark
01234 273434 (w)
Email: mark.peacock@btconnect.com
Quote Of The Month
" Bacardi, Balsa, Talcum
Powder and Clear Dope-it's the modelling media of the future.." (with apologies
to Alan W Hall)
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