Meetings

RANSOMES SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

 MEETING 21

 24 July 2007

 In attendance:   20 members; apologies: Ray, Rob A, Richard, Marc, Eric, Jan & Sonia.

 Predictably with the coming of the school holidays, attendance at the Club was down from the numbers that we have been becoming used to.  Nevertheless, there was still plenty to talk about and lots of plastic on the table; therefore, without further ado…

 THE TABLE

 Pictures of the models can be seen at http://www.ipms-ipswich.org.uk/meetings.htm

 COMPETITION

June 2007

* - Goes forward to Grand Final

 The Grand Finalists so Far this year are:

 Avenger/Jan Maes,

Sherman/Richard Langford,

Phantom/George Robinson,

Wyvern/Tony Healey,

Sahariana/Richard Langford

HMS Abercrombie/Eric Dyke.

 Modeller of the Year – June 07

 East Anglian Model Show

There was little to update for the EAMS.  Kelvin informed us that there were 2 more traders that had confirmed their places and that tables were still being sought for a reasonable cost.  Robert F informed us that he had spoken to David Leeder, the Bury club Treasurer, and they had agreed that the funding was to be split 50/50 once again.  SBX Models had agreed to sponsor a class in the competition and we as a Club needed to find a suitable trophy for the Best Stand.  It was suggested that the Club should endeavour to get our National’s stand prepared for the EAMS in order to avoid a last minute rush again!  This was agreed and also that we should use the materials we already have to make a more permanent, re-usable stand.

 Visits and Shows

 Beltring.          Several of the members had visited the War & Peace Show at Beltring again this year.  Much to Dave’s joy all the attendees chose to share their thoughts on another trip ‘gone good.’  Apart from the mud and rain, Ian B had thoroughly enjoyed his week at the show living in his trench dressed as USMC ‘grunt’ and only venturing out to cause noise and mayhem in the arena.  Sadly, the Vietnam re-enactors had had their mayhem somewhat curtailed due to conditions underfoot and they had been banned from running lest they slip!  God forbid that anyone turn an ankle whilst simulating bullets whipping around their ears and getting out of the way of 20 gallons of petrol going, “Woof!” in a simulated napalm attack.  Who would have thought that war could be so threatening to health?  Next year the HSE are to ensure that hi-vis ‘lumi-jackets’ are to be worn together with ear defenders and full fire-retardant suits; you will not catch any Iraqi insurgents or Taliban without them!  Dom was pleased to report that Mr Policeman-Badger had not managed to catch him in the 70 minutes it took for him to get from Ipswich to Kent on his motorbike; Stu’s boys had loved the mud, but not their Dad’s other interests like standing around in the beer tent waiting to talk to a bloke who was late and sadly Kev’s daughter’s favourite part of the Show was the fun fair – however, her Dad continues to try to explain to her the nuance of the Germans losing the War and a bunch of fat old blokes dressed as Germans 6o years later also being a bunch of losers!  Next year we should go for a team push so that we can all enjoy the Show.  Another overnighter could be reasonably arranged, but only if Dom can stay awake in the pub this time.

Nice one Centurion!  Proper tanks, none of yer German rubbish.                Kev didn’t remember Chieftains being quite so yellow when they drove past his school on test from Vickers Armstrongs…

Something for everyone; Austers.                                                                Achtung !  Nazi re-enactor types.

Ian had become upset with his latest project…                                                           Really upset!

 Forthcoming Shows.

 Next month: Slide Show – Beltring!  (Dave P only).

Guild of Aviation Artists Exhibition, The Mall Gallery, London - 29 Jul 07.

IPMS Brampton, Burgess Hall, St Ives, Sunday, 30 Sep 07.

EAMS, Maidenhall Sports Centre, Ipswich, Sunday, 14 Oct 07.

IPMS Scale Model World, Telford International Centre, Telford, 9-11 Nov 07.

 AOB

 Value Models.             A new business that has been advertising in the modelling press, Value Models, had sent through a promotional offer to the Secretary for discounted on-line kits.  There were no takers – especially since Dave was in the room!

 Diaerama Magazine.   A new, but unfortunately titled publication was passed to the Secretary at Hinckley.  Named Diaerama, the magazine retails for £7.50 and covers – as the title suggests – diorama subjects.  The quality of reproduction is quite poor and for the content the price might be somewhat prohibitive for most.  We wish the best of luck to the author.

 NEXT MEETING

 The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 28 Aug 07.

 (Original Signed)

Kev Baxter

Secretary