SWAG Members Day - Sunday 28th April 2019 - The Line Up

[JZ]

Enjoyed my hour and a half there today. As usual lot of tips picked up, passed on and ideas to ponder away. Plan to get a layout of my own there next year.

[2ManySpams]

Home now and unloaded the Pencarrow buildings from the car. Really good trip home and now sat down with a nice cup of tea.

 

Really enjoyed the event and glad I made a weekend of it. Great to talk to loads of folk today, not sure how Jerry got past security. Just packaged up some sheep and trees for Rob, just enough to finish off Bleat Wharf.

 

Thanks to Stu and Co for organising, the cafe crew and all others how made it such a friendly, fun event.

[Stubby47]

Now back home.

 

Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this another great day. 

 

Thanks too for all the interest in DM4MS.

[NHY 581]

Evening all. 

 

Thanks to all for the organisation of what was the nicest of days. 

 

 Everyone present contributed to a lovely day out. 

 

Bleat Wharf saw some wonderful motive power including a superbly weathered D600 Warship, Herr Rover the Deutsch Terrier, a class 33, a Prairie, Bunty and a splendid J70. 

 

It seems almost impolite to single anything out but Sandy Shores was simply wonderful. A splendid model railway in every sense and beautifully presented. Oh and the Kitcheneers whose efforts  truly sustained the event.

 

A highlight of the year without a doubt and a pleasure to be part of. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

[south_tyne]

Thanks to everyone who has posted photographs for those of us who couldn't attend, it looks like a fantastic event. Particularly like the look of those pasties...... I feel as though I have missed out! Also great to spot CK's little shunter, Buntie, in a couple of shots. Remember her from the good old days of admiring Engine Wood!

 

I hope everyone had a great day. 

 

[Phil Parker]

An excellent day with some top people. Some of whom you can see here...

 

 

 

 

 

[wiggoforgold]

Excellent day. Thanks for organising Stu. Leaned a it, met some old friends and made some new ones. Upwell Drove behaved itself, apart from a brief interlude with the lights before we opened, traced to a connector that had come undone.

We particularly liked the cake, and Sandy Shores.

a

Alex.

[Mark Forrest]

Would like to add my thanks to Stu and the team for a really enjoyable day, also thanks to all who stopped by my demo table for a chat and to Chris for chauffeuring me there and back.

[phil-b259]

Another excellent day at Taunton - brillant selection of layouts (thanks to those that let me have a play) to appreciate, great food as always and of course the chance to have a good old chinwag with various folk about all sorts of stuff.

 

While I don’t normally like to single out any one layout, I have to say Sandy Shores was uplifting to the mind (as well as being excellent modelling) - the lovely backdrop and bright lighting transported you to Poole harbour on a hot sunny day in June, waves lapping, gulls sqwaking, Purbeck on the horizon...

 

A big thank you to everyone involved in planning / executing the day and carrying the good Captin’s legacy. Roll on 2020.....

[Graham_Muz]

I’m now home in Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire having dropped @st simon home nr Reading and his dads Loughborough Road MPD back to its home. 

 

Once again thanks to all whom organised, exhibited and visited today without which this splendid event would not happen or be such the wonderful social weekend with the side benefit of some excellent railway modelling on show. 

 

Thanks also to all whom provided lovely cakes, did someone say cake... , without which I would not have anything to up sell alongside a cup of tea or coffee!

 

Thanks again one and all  

Edited April 28, 2019 by Graham_Muz

[peter220950]

Back home after a particularly tiring weekend, Exhibiting at Luton on Saturday up at 6, and only got down to Weston at 9.30 last night, up again at 7 this morning and back home at 7 tonight. Was it worth it, You bet it was, the standard of layouts that Stu organised was far better than the offerings the day before, ( my own included), and that was a commercial Exhibition.

Coupled with again catching up with some of the nicest people I know, it made the day a positive joy, and a few thanks are in order.

 

Firstly Stuart for organising the layouts and demonstrators, it's going to be difficult to top this years  selection.

 

To the layout owners and demonstrators thanks for some stunning work, it's why I  keep coming back, even though I'm a foreigner.

 

Huge thanks to the cake providers, without your help the event wouldn't work, so please pass on my thanks to those who made all the cakes, not only do they help fund the lunches for the Exhibitors and demonstrators they provide a boost to the Charitable donation that results from the event.

 

Thanks to Tim for fetching the pasties, that are also one of the underpinnings of the day.

 

Thanks to all the others who helped with things like the second hand stall, tidying up, getting chairs and benches out, arranging insurance etc. etc.

 

And finally, last but not least, to Graham, without whose help the kitchen would have been much more chaotic, I know he was a pain to you all with his hard selling of cake, but without that help we would have raised far less money. Graham has a clashing Exhibition commitment next year, so I'm looking for a bit of assistance, if any hard sell snake oil sellers are available you will be welcome to help next year.

 

I managed to get some photos that I will put up when I get a minute, right now I'm just about ready for bed.

 

Just to update everyone on the catering side, here are the end results of all your hard work.

 

Income from sales                                                     £336.50

Costs of pasties tea coffee, consumables etc.      £148.61

Money raised by the catering for Charity              £187.89

 

This is in addition to the fact that we provided meals for the Exhibitors and Demonstrators.

 

Once again thanks to all, Exhibitors, Demonstrators, Organisers, and Customers who made it such a special day.

[Brinkly]

I popped over to Mutton a couple of times, but it appeared to be raining: a clear contradiction of what was said on camera!   

 

 

Regards,

 

Nick

[mozzer models]

1 hour ago, peter220950 said:

Graham has a clashing Exhibition commitment next year, so I'm looking for a bit of assistance, if any hard sell snake oil sellers are available you will be welcome to help next year.

Nadine says she will help in the kitchen for 2020

[Gwiwer]

Many thanks to all concerned for giving me a very good reason to visit the Taunton area once more. 

 

The gathering at Bath Green Park, the superb meal at the Lethbridge Arms, the pasties and cakes at Staplegrove and the usual convivial company. Oh - and some lovely little layouts, displays and demonstrations too. 

 

 Not only but also happily coinciding with a 12”:1’ scale water-boiling object just down the road. 

 

What more could you want from a weekend?  

 

 

[Donw]

I obviously missed a cracking day not to mention the cake. It would have been nice to have a chat to Phil as in addition to 2mm and 7mm stuff I also have some 16mm live steamers. I have been reading Garden Rail for years.

 

Don

[SouthernRegionSteam]

Well, what can I say that hasn't been said already?
I can only sum up the day as the friendliest and most enjoyable "exhibition" I've been to. I use the term exhibition loosely, as the fact there was no obligation per se to run trains, but freedom to stop and just have a long natter meant the whole thing was more of an informal get-together with like-minded folk.

 

I've been absolutely overwhelmed with all your lovely comments about Sandy Shores; I really didn't expect it, especially given the layout isn't even finished yet! I've also had some really useful exchanges of ideas, tips, and other observations; as well as a plentiful serving of humour and fun. It's been an absolute privilege to have been invited to, and take part in the show, and I'm so glad to be able to put faces to names; including those of you who I've talked to online for probably 10 years or more! The pasties were exceptional, everyone was so lovely and accommodating, and I'm somewhat taken aback by the warm comments I received.

 

There are far too many of you to say thank you to individually (and my memory is bad at remembering names at the best of times) but I'd like to give specific shout-outs to Stu Hilton, Andy York, Phil Parker, Tim Maddocks, and Graham Muspratt for their huge parts in the days proceedings. Also many thanks to those who stopped by my layout to talk with me; it's been an awesome experience, and one I'm unlikely to forget.

 

The only downside was that I was so busy having a good ole natter that I didn't really have time to gaze longingly at the wonderful exhibits around me. I only managed to capture a few photographs of some of the layouts and displays as take-down was starting; so apologies for that! I will say though that the modelling was top-notch all round; every way you turned there was a layout with a completely different theme and modelling style. I only wish I could've spent longer admiring them all!

 

So, all in all, an incredible day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AY Mod]

Well done everyone yesterday; what a cracking day. The atmosphere was as good as ever with some excellent quality layouts, demos and trade and I'd like pass on my gratitude to everyone who came and played a part in the event. @Stubby47 did a great job as masterplanner, @peter220950 took care of the hall booking and costs and along with @Graham_Muz kept everyone fed and watered. @Culmhead did a great job of co-ordinating the bring and buy. Thanks to @Captain Kernow for making sure the comestibles met expectations and to everyone who brought some delightful cakes along.

 

Such events are not for those scurrying around big halls hoovering up latest RTR releases and ticking their I-Spy book of layouts but to relax, talk and enjoy and I'm sure everyone does.

 

Some lovely layouts as usual but I love the reaction that @SouthernRegionSteam has had from so many with his atmospheric Sandy Shores. Next time you read someone saying the future of the hobby is doomed, there's no younger participants, people only buy RTR and don't do any modelling, don't have imagination, innovation or creativity then just point them Jamie's way!

 

 

 

[marc smith]

Just wanted to say how glad I am that accepted the kind offer of a lift from @Barry Ten accompanied by @wenlock and made the trip to this great event.
Good to catch up with so many pals, and see some fab layouts and have a good old chin-wag with many like-minded rmweb members
Again, thanks are due to @Stubby47 and everyone else, for organising the day - it's hard work, and it doesn't go un-noticed guys - huge thanks

I also wanted to say, I did my first rmweb day here, with Hendre Lane, and that was 9 years ago  ....How come I'm the only rmweb member who has aged?  
When I took Hendre along all those years back, there was a distinct lack of fellow Welsh modellers in attendance, and I'm happy to say that this balance is now being redressed
Though I'm not sure whether @NHY 581 had just the one bottle of alcohol close to hand all day... or whether he was replenishing it regularly?

I've been kindly invited by Stu, to bring my latest project along next year - and if I do get around to finishing it... I will be there, and am already looking forward to it

[Captain Kernow]

Well, I had a fab time as well, non-stop yakking to chums old and new, just brilliant.

 

Earlier, at the Bring & Buy, I was just contemplating that you have to get up very early indeed if you are going to beat Brinkly to the chocolate biscuits Mitchell 44XX kits.

 

I found it very hard indeed to find a favourite layout yesterday, the standard was so high and I thought it was one of the best selection of layouts in the 11 year history of holding that event.

 

My thanks, as ever, to Herr Sheepmeister, for granting track access, including to the partially-forgiven Terrierhundchen. 'Bleat Wharf' certainly didn't disappoint, it's even better 'in the flesh' than in the photos.

 

But - and others have also said this - I was particularly impressed by 'Sandy Shores'. It was bright, cheerful and very well observed and modelled. Well done, Jamie!

 

I'd also like to say that, despite all the ribbing and joking, Mr Chris Spam-u-Like is building something very special in 7mm and I was very impressed with the buildings he brought along. I did like the fact that he's building the layout in both 'O' gauge and 'T' gauge - this could be the start of a new trend.

 

Thanks Stu, Peter, Graham, Andy, Phil and everyone else who arranged this, once again.

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by Captain Kernow

[Mulgabill]

Many thanks to all involved for yet another really enjoyable day out.

 

Not only that but I managed to recoup some of my auction overspend, by selling virtually everything i brought.

A real bonus and I am very grateful to those who did the deals, although just a little disappointed I didn't "have to" keep

a couple of the buildings.

 

This was the icing on an exceptionally good cake of a weekend, which included the Helston show on Saturday, virtually on

the site of the prototype of my layout.So I count myself very fotunate indeed.

 

There were a number of informative conversations to be had, and a really useful, practical in the first steps in weathering.

 

So suitably inspired I am resolved to refocus on my projects, and maybe move forward with something to put forward

next year.

 

Once again many thanks to Stu and his team.

 

 

[Mick Bonwick]

Just like (apparently) everybody else, I had a wonderful day out. I'd like to have the same day over again, but as somebody else, so that I could get round and chat, laugh and marvel instead of sitting still, chatting and laughing.

 

Those responsible for the excellent organisation and victualling should be placed upon a pedestal somewhere for all to gaze at in wonderment. How do they do it all and find time to live a life as well?

 

Well done and thank you to all.

 

 

[Stubby47]

What can I add that hasn't already been said.

 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has helped with the event - despite all the compliments, it's certainly just not me (see Andy's post 5 up ).

 

Thanks also to those who brought some fabulous layouts and demos - despite my c*cking up the floor plan on the day, it all fitted and there was plenty of room.

 

Thanks also to Peter & Brian for the retail therapy stalls, both hopefully will return next year.

 

Next year's list of layouts is already in hand, and mostly full - and I think it will match this year's list in variety and quality.

 

I just need to decide whether to bring the PSMT next year...

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stubby47

[Captain Kernow]

It's an event that just keeps on giving, I've just had another pasty for my lunch today!

 

[AY Mod]

13 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said:

I've just had another pasty for my lunch today!

 

******, no wonder I couldn't bag one for lunch today!

[AY Mod]

Thanks to Aidan and Peter for sorting the charity donations.

 

£229.60 from the Bring and Buy and £187.19 from the kitchen which makes a wonderful £416.79

 

 

We've all lost friends and family to cancer so it's a small way of supporting people in need.