Not Jeremy

I am very happy to report that the reprint is now in stock, and all pre-orders that I had received have now gone out. It is already selling well, James at Bill Hudson books will have his copies by now, and this morning I delivered stock to Harry Wainwright at his brilliant Oldfield Park bookshop on the west side of Bath.

You're right, that is a ridiculous percentage, it's more likely nearer to 95%.....

For those considering looking in, here are the details of the venue. Meadway Hall Simon

James new book continues to sell well, with many copies going abroad, to Germany and the States especially. More locally, I was really pleased that Dan at Magalleria in Bath agreed to take some copies. Magalleria is the most brilliant magazine shop, full of things you never thought existed, I can highly recommend a browse either virtually or in the shop. Magalleria I think Dan may need a re-stock, this was all I could find on my last visit on Saturday. I just love what's on the shelves around James' book!!

I will be there with a display of oddities, some of which will move and make noises. I might even bring some of the old "Stench Electric" stock along, oh dear.... Mostly I shall be remembering Howard and enjoying the company of others who knew him, not least the fabulous Barrie Baker!

The late Iain Rice, who was a significant contributor to “Model Railways”, told a great story about how “men in suits” arrived at an editorial meeting one day to explain that the “party was over” and that the magazine needed to stop bothering about irrelevant details and get back to, err, model railways. “Model Railway Journal” was to a great extent born out of the dog’s breakfast that followed at MR/YMR. Dave Lowery was a later attempt to return some credibility to the whole thing, which he did, but too little and too late I guess(?) A great modeller and still active I think, he very generously helped Iain and I with pictures for the Cameos book. Sadly, “men in suits” have been improving things ever since, God bless ‘em….

We can knock this daft speculation on the head, public liability insurance for model railway shows is absolutely not expensive. There is a great scheme especially for model railway exhibitions, set up by the late John Dennison, it is available from Magnet Insurance Services. Simon

Well sort of, but not really those are three disparate and slightly depressing rumps, bearing no relation (OK Great Cockrow does a bit) to what has been a significant and worthwhile organisation. As, to be fair, alluded to on the current website. As I said, all very sad.

Yes, and then IA got rid of itself. All very sad. I suspect old man IA has been gently rotating in his grave ever since he was put into it.....

I sadly, and for my own reasons, couldn't make the 2023 Warley NEC show, but have previously attended over a good number of years, latterly with the Wild Swan books stand. I loved going to Warley, in whatever capacity, it was so spectacularly and terrfyingly large, and was always an ambitious celebration and exposition of a great hobby. I am, and will remain, in awe of everything that the Warley club have achieved with the NEC show. So very good on so many levels as many have eloquently expressed in this thread. Apart from all of the layouts, meeting so many friends and names in the hobby, the fantastic trade support and the opportunity to see manufacturers and their new products, what I really loved about it all was the excitement and pleasure it gave to so many people, seeing the enjoyment on the faces of so many people gathered in one place was just epic. It gave you a great feeling of being part of a fantastic hobby, and the insane size of it was definitely part of this appeal, to me at least. I'm sure whatever comes next will be great, but thirty years of success at the NEC is one hell of an achievement, and so I want to add my thanks and great appreciation to everyone at the Warley club for giving us all so much enjoyment over so many years. Got to be worth a few OBEs, at least! Simon

Passing Ais Gill with Captain Kernow recording proceedings..... And in the same sort of era, the new running in board at Midford. Dave at left (brilliant friend, creator of the running in board and much more), Jasper Cox, now big in military surplus, and Brian Clarke, of "Saltford Models" fame. Happy days, apart from the day job(!)

That was Dave the ace figure painter, my friend Dennis still sees him at shows. Moles sort of bought him out of the premises I think, but are just now closing or closed themselves. Mind you, back in the day Moles above pavement level was mostly "The Porter", where I think I purchased my first under age drink. "Underage", what a distant concept that is....

And Monks at the bottom of Broad Street...

Yes, it became Eric Snooks, when the aforementioned owner (of Bath Pram and Toy Shop) took a large retail unit in the shiny new Southgate development and moved his business there. It was temporarily domiciled in what was the Plummer Roddis block while building work went on, I think. Our very own Captain Kernow started his kitbuilding career making up models for display in the new shop, as I recall. The shop subsequently contracted a bit then split into two, the modelling branch of which shut down not long afterwards, with the "main shop" moving to large-ish premises by the side of Marks & Spencer. Eric Snook (an enterprising fellow and one time mayor of Bath) eventually died, after which "Mr Basil" moved the shop into a sad little place in one of the corridors, where it petered out into oblivion relatively recently. No model shops left in Bath now, and Wild Swans are no longer seen in Southgate. We have, of late, had quite a lot of Wild Geese round these parts though!

Sadly, a reprint would not, I think, be an economic proposition. But if you drop me an email I may be able to help you with a copy of vol 2, new but without a dustjacket. It may take me a few days to get back to you but I will. Vol 1 remains in stock. Simon

I think the Avon through Bath is actually pretty well managed, with water being controlled and allowed to flood on to water meadows either side of the City. I just walked back from town and the river level is looking very "normal". I think the relevant powers/authority are doing an effective job round here, with the express purpose of not letting Bath flood as it used to when your picture was taken.

Ho hum, as cheerful as ever. Not everything is done by means of law and compulsion you know. For starters the Okehampton route would not have been put back on to the National rail network at all, if your narrow and depressing view of everything was as pervasive and all encompassing as you would have us believe And if "they" won't put the footbridge roof back, then let's start a campaign or fund to get it replaced! I will most certainly contribute to what would be a very worthwhile project. It will cost peanuts relative to much that is achieved in the world of preservation and I bet the various organisations involved would be highly supportive. You will probably now come up with some mind numbingly negative response to this shockingly positive suggestion, or perhaps not - perhaps you have something positive to contribute? I do hope so, this is what we are aiming for - hardly a new Jerusalem!

It does go round in "normal circumstances" and it is connected to a big circular section of the dance floor that it gently rotates. Or it used to, I am pretty certain, although thinking about it it all sounds very unlikely. It is a bit of a "rum" establishment one way and another,

No, hardback only. Apart from anything else, it has too many pages to work as a soft back, and I also want it to stand uniform with John's earlier books on auto trailers and steam rail motors. The index is nearly completed and it will be sent to printers very shortly. Simon

It was pretty impressive, I didn't go into town but the Toll bridge was closed to traffic. Batheaston lake looked pretty. But the old mill looked less inviting than usual...

Happy to report that everything is safely above water, and copious red wine with neighbours has massively improved the outlook - churrs!!

I have just been advised by the printers that delivery should take place on January 19th. Books will be sent out as soon as stock arrives. Thank you for your patience!

This is all jaw droppingly good Matt, and I don't think "kitbashing" really does justice to what you have achieved, just terrific. I really look forward to seeing it "in the plastic" in July. Please don't lose momentum, get distracted or skip it in the meantime(!) Simon