Meetings

 RANSOMES SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

MEETING 24

 23 October 2007

 Happy second Birthday to Us!

 In attendance:   25 members with apologies from Ray C, who was watching Ipswich probably getting trounced – again; Stu C, who thinks going to Edinburgh on a course is an excuse and Rob A, who isn’t very well apparently, get well soon mate. 

 Welcome goes to John and Vic, a pair of born-again modellers – Hallelujah, who have joined us to pick up tips on how to sort out those pesky pieces of plastic.  John can help us all in the field electrical wiggly-amp gadgetry, whilst Vic’s background is slightly more specialised in that he used to tool around the skies of Hampshire as a Flight Test Observer for RAE Farnborough.  If the V-bomber prototypes, amongst others, are your thing, it would appear that Vic is your man.  Probably tales of derring-do at FL500 for 6 hours leaves the tankies a bit numb – much like Vic’s bottom it seems; although, Roly Falk aero-batting the Vulcan B1 (pun intended) and dropping bombs (inert) on Orfordness is far more like it!

 THE TABLE 

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

 COMPETITION 
September 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,
IS-3 Stalin/Dave Kellet,
1/48 Swordfish/Jan Maes
1/48 Bristol F.2B/ Jon Kelly

Modeller of the Year – September 07

East Anglian Model Show

The East Anglian Model Show (EAMS) has been and gone for another year.  Despite generally good feedback from the attendees about the new venue and the day as a whole, the encouraging comments were tempered by one comment that we should have had a competition (see below) and another that stated that we might have attracted more people if the models had been less, “War orientated”!  Amusing as the latter comment was, this feedback was completely overshadowed by the fact that the Show made a considerable loss with only 69 visitors through the door, traders were down 2 from the 6 that had confirmed and 14 of 16 (non-paying) clubs attended.  The Treasurer reported that IPMS Ipswich must bear the loss of £159, half of the total loss made; however, this figure is still provisional although it is believed to be accurate at the time of writing.

 There was much discussion about the validity of holding another show next year, bearing in mind that the Bury Club would be unlikely to want to organise it again, the fact that we could little afford to bear another loss such as this one, our Club already hosts the East Anglian Model Competition and the intention to roll the EAMS into the Stowmarket Railway Modellers’ Show in 2008.  Opinion varied as to the successful integration of the 2 facets of the modelling hobby, from railway modelling and plastic modelling being, “Chalk and cheese”, to a very positive reaction to the railway modellers.  The compromise for the Stowmarket Railway Modellers’ Show was to book a table for the 2008 Show to ‘recce’ the event with an eye to integration in Apr 2009, since it was already a bit too late to try get on board with the 2008 show, bearing in mind the lead times for the magazine advertising- a point that had been driven home in the organisation of this show. 

 The positives that were taken from the EAMS were: the Maidenhall venue was excellent (if slightly lacking in ‘walk-by’ potential) we now have a reliable source of excellent tables in RAF Mildenhall, chairs were available from Ransomes for a donation only and the caterer was terrific, if a little camp mit ihnen bratties!

By majority vote, Kelvin was willing to try again with the EAMS on 8 Oct 08, in order to de-conflict it with the Newark Show and apply the lessons learned.  The EAMC will still run with the June evening schedule; however, a concerted effort to re-brand the EAMS to avoid confusion between the 2 events will be made.

Despite everything a vote of thanks was given to Jan and Sonia for their considerable efforts and to Kelvin for having made a good fist of the Event despite having taken it on at short notice.

Visits and Shows

 Brampton IPMS.          The Brampton IPMS Show was held at Burges Hall, St Ives on Sunday, 30 Sep 07.  Bob, Steve, Rob F, Dom, Stu and Kev attended and they were impressed by the new show venue that was very ‘swish’.  Obviously, there were no tables allocated to IPMS Ipswich, despite the Secretary having returned the form; nevertheless, good egg Gary Wenko budged up with the Japanese and Turkish SIG and we enjoyed 12 foot of table space.  This was another good show in a lovely venue.

 IPMS Scale Model World 07.  Can’t WAIT!  Only 3 weeks to go to IPMS Scale Model World, Telford International Centre, Telford, 9-11 Nov 07.  The stand had its first run out at the EAMS and rather immodestly won the Best Stand competition, although the prize went to the North Essex club.  The hotel booking has been confirmed and any changes are now subject to the FULL FEE.  The final push on the Stand will be at the Secretary’s house PM, 27 Oct 07; once again beer ‘n’ bites available afterwards.

 The Club has received a poster about the Toy Soldier Show at London’s Royal National Hotel on Saturday 1 December 2007.  Any takers?

 East of England Annual Model Show - Greater Peterborough Model Club. The annual Peterborough model show will take place on Saturday 1 Mar 07.  Marc, Mike G, Ian B, Mark v O, Julien, Jan & Sonia, Kelvin, Dom, Steve B and the Secretary all indicated that they would attend.      

 AOB

 Club Talk by Les French.  The Secretary has been trying to secure a non-club night at Ransomes to enable us to host Les French.  As soon as the venue and a time has been secured that suits all parties, the Secretary has undertaken to let the Membership know.

 NEXT MEETING

 The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 27 Nov 07.

 (Original Signed)

Kev Baxter

Secretary