NORTH WEST MECCANO GUILD
Clicking on many of the pictures enlarges them and provides extra information. The models are usually attributed to the builder.
The Guild is always interested in preventing good Meccano going to waste. If you
have any Meccano to re-
Click “Exhibitions” for a calendar of our events. Or “Event Details” for information about individual ones.
Click “North West” for information about Meccano on display and Meccano related locations in the North West of England.
Events April to July 2013
25th., 26, & 27th. May Smallwood Vintage Rally.
This was a new venue arranged by Colin Reid (who was also in charge of the other model displays). Being near Sandbach, it attracted a large number of heavy commercial vehicles plus a fair number of vintage cars as well as stationary engines and tractors. 4 members exhibited a variety of models, many interactive. Even though the weather was good and the model marquee some distance from the centre of activity, we had a lot of interested visitors. A large number of Plastic Meccano models were constructed, mostly, but not entirely by the younger visitors.
Hoylake 20th. & 21st. April.
Dave Birnie coordinated our contribution to an exhibition in Hoylake Community Centre to raise funds for the Merchant Navy Memorial in Liverpool Cathedral. 6 Members were able to attend with a wide selection of interesting and well built models. John Sinton, not a member also contributed to the display. Also on show were genuine Hornby Railway layouts, both O and OO gauge.
8th. April
We have just heard of the death of Jim Mortimer. Jim will be remembered for the beautifully made and interesting models, mostly in yellow, which he brought to Guild Meetings. Deteriorating health in recent years has meant that he has not been able to come for a few years. His wife, Margaret, was also regular attendee to our meetings.
23rd. April.
Only 4 people connected with NWMG were able to attend Jim’s funeral. The service, the traditional Prayer Book version, was held the delightful little 16th. Century Church of St. James,Altham, with a fair number of Jim’s friends and relations present. Jim’s varied career included service as a Naval Gunner on merchant ships in the Malta Convoys. Margaret is now confined to a wheelchair but is well set up with all the necessary equipment at her daughter Susan’s house. She had a pleasant afternoon talking to friends and relations.
The photograph shows Jim with one of his most impressive models -
Margaret can be seen in the background.
It was supplied by the Sheffield Meccano Guild of which Jim was an active member until a few years ago.
15th. & 16th. June, Vintage Machinery and Craft Fair, Oswestry.
This is an event organised by the Clwyd Veteran and Vintage Society at the Oswestry Showground . The showground was, originally, a Royal Artillery Basic Training Camp and the rather dilapidated Gymnasium was used for the the models. The spacious venue allowed a huge display of Mamod Steam Models to be set up to which was added some Meccano models, mostly of steam prototypes. 5 members were present and occupied a long line of tables along one side (which meant that we did not get any good photographs). As well as the aeroplanes, Ian displayed a number of Army Multikit models. Neville brought his Union Pacific Locomotive and Dick the Kangaroo Crane. Veronica assisted with the construction of a large number of innovative Plastic Meccano Models. We had an excellent steward, who not only displayed model vehicles (not Meccano unfortunately) but also worked on new ones.
Some of these photographs were provided by members of the Guild including Chris. Harris and David Birnie.
6th. April. Giant Meccano Bridge
Grand Opening of the Giant Meccano Bridge at Little Lever near Bolton took place with a large attendance of the general public as well as a number of Guild members. More information should become available on www.mbbcs.org.uk and a report, with pictures, by Mike Walker can be found on nzmeccano.com (his User Gallery)
7th April. Ellenroad Steam Museum
A small exhibition was held at Ellenroad Steam Museum 13th. & 14th. April. As usual there was much interest from the large number of visitors. It may have been the first public steaming of the Whitelees Beam Engine following its reconstruction. It is not quite finished but most of it was resplendent in a close match to Meccano dark red & green. It ran beautifully.
13th. & 14th. April. British Commericial Vehicle Museum
Our major exhibition at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum was not well attended
on Saturday, perhaps because it was not properly advertised. However, we were very
busy for most of Sunday. Of particular interest were Ian Corlett’s not quite complete
Fork-
The exhibition was featured in the Lancashire Evening Post, the following Saturday, with a spread of 7 photographs.
5th. To 7th. July. Skegex.
Some members went to this, perhaps the world’s biggest Meccano Exhibition, held in Embassy Halls, Skegness, Lincolnshire.
20th. & 21st. July. Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, Masham, HG4 4NX.
Some members exhibited in the model tent there, hoping to bring back the cup won for the model by Mark Rolston last year, which he duly did. A large number of traction engines and steam rollers attended as well as vintage vehicles of all sorts. There was also be a good selection of useful stalls.
Some of the Guild Members
who went to Skegness
