Dave Spencer

Had a great weekend with Lydgate at the show. It ran extremely well and got a lot of positive feedback;. Interestingly, female observers seemed more likely to appreciate the colours, textures, and cameos that I'd painstakingly put together, I'm pleased to say that I have a buyer - my good friend Ian who helped operate on Sunday has agreed to take it, so it's the end of an era now. He already has my previous layout - Penrhos - bought a few years ago. Thanks to all who showed an interest in Lydgate ...... next on display in the Welsh borders area, I think. Now time to get cracking on a new project ....... another Forest of Dean-based layout but much smaller than Lydgate!

Thanks Nick for those positive sentiments posted a few days ago and all your invaluable help with my layout. And thanks to you too, Rob. Yes, it will be a big wrench to part with Lydgate but for me there's no point in keeping a layout if you can't put it up to operate at your leisure from time to time. And as you say it does run well so I've set myself a high standard for anything else I construct! All crated up now and ready for the Calne show. Should be a short piece about it being for sale in the new MR (out today) so hopefully I'll see the ad later.......

My 4mm scenic layout 'Lydgate' will be making its final appearance under my ownership at Calne. It's based on a drift mine and cable works in the Forest of Dean and is set in the 50s/60s. It'll have a big FOR SALE sign on it because (sadly) I no longer have space to house it. It's spent the last 6 months in a self storage unit but that's no good for me! This layout was the main feature in Model Rail August 2015 and won 'best in show ' at Andover a year later. It's only been to 6 exhibitions in total so has loads of life left in it. It needs an operating space of 18 x 6 feet. Come along and see it in action ...... and hopefully offer me a price that does justice to the workmanship! Dave Spencer

I'm looking for a skilled and enthusiastic modeller to take on my 4mm layout Lydgate. Sadly, I no longer have the workshop that used to house it, and can't find another at an affordable price. Needs an operating area of c. 18 x 6 feet. Lydgate appeared in Model Rail in August 2015. It has attended 6 shows and won 'best layout' at one of them. It will make its final appearance in my ownership at Calne, Wiltshire, on Jan 20-21st. Price and other details. from Dave Spencer 07585 150581. Attached photos by Chris Nevard