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A typical club night
These are a few random thoughts about what makes our club tick. It is
basically a diary of a typical evening, with a few points from other members to
help it along.
I am sure most other clubs follow a similar format but I was asked to put
down some notes to make an article for the IPMS newsletter (as a change from the
ramblings of the various committees I suppose) which might generate some
feedback from the membership.
Although we are the Milton Keynes Model Club we actually meet, once a month,
at Cranfield University, which is about 7 miles outside Milton Keynes. I'm not
sure of the reasons for meeting there but it is convenient for most of the
members (well they wouldn't come if it wasn't would they? There have been
suggestions that we move to a more central location but there are two big
attractions where we are (it is in Cranfield University's Social Club so drinks,
food and the room are at reduced prices) so I guess we will be staying put for a
while.
I got to the meeting room about 7.30. Only one other member was present but
by the time I had sorted out the bits I had brought, the place was filling up.
It is usually a round of greeting your friends and talking about what you are up
to, a quick trip to the bar for a cheap pint.
Most members bring along something they have been working on, gather round
the tables and discuss the models, how they did this or that or why they used
this particular scheme, etc. Some may be finished but many are in various states
of construction.
One of the things we like is to see a model progress over the months and we
all discuss techniques of how a member might do things. Whether or not the
member uses any of this advice is immaterial. It is the discussion which often
opens up new avenues for us all, the freedom and ability to talk to people about
their models and find out what they did. If you ask a question, it tends to
prompt people to talk about the model. They become more comfortable and feel
part of the club. They realise that others are interested in what they do -
irrespective of subject.
A new member turned up this week. When the secretary first speaks to any
prospective member on the phone he asks them to bring along an example of
their work Anyway this week there was a table full of models and this guy walks
in and puts down two 1/48 aircraft. Everyone was amazed, here were two
competition winners if ever there was. The guy was very depreciative of his own
skills but if these are an example of his work then look out Nationals.
The membership falls into two camps, the aircraft modellers and everyone
else. However, we find that it is the mix of skills that encourages everyone to
have a go at making something out of their normal range. I primarily make
armour, but in the past couple of years I have made aircraft, cars & ships.
For our display at the 1999 nationals we deliberately chose the theme of
"The movies" to encourage members to make something out of their
normal sphere. In the end there was only one aircraft in our display (the
Wallace & Grommit plane, so perhaps that doesn't count). We weren't
successful in winning the trophy for best stand as Telford chose the same theme
and the judges thought their display better. But it did prove that displays
don't have to be row after row of aeroplanes.
Usually around 8.30 the secretary makes any announcements that
outline what has been happening, what might happen in future meetings and, if
there is one, introducing any guest speakers and welcoming any new members. A
while ago we talked about a planned trip to the Tank Museum in conjunction with
the local MAFVA branch and the possibility of getting a trip organized to look
at the Jaguar Racing complex.
Occasionally, we have a guest speaker come and give us a talk on something or
other. One month we were fortunate enough to have Nick and Sue Allen (IPMS
Publicity & Membership Committee Members) come down from Derby to see what
we do and have a natter. I think Nick was pleased with the way we do things and
has promised to come along again. Considering that involves a 1 ½ hour drive
each way, it shows real dedication. Mind you, many of our members have between a
½ to 1 hour journey as they come from all over the 4 counties of Beds, Bucks,
Herts & Northants which we consider to be our catchment area.
A while ago Spencer Pollard, editor of Military in Scale came down from
Telford to talk about how difficult it is to strike a happy balance with
creating a magazine each month. A lively debate ensued and he finally got away
at about 11:00 p.m. He came back again on another visit where we got into a
rather unproductive discussion on how to attract juniors to the hobby.
On another evening we had a talk by the members of an aircraft recovery
group. This fascinating evening covered some of the aspects of aircraft recovery
and stressed that it is not just about digging up bits of crashed plane, but
that it is treated in the same way as an archaeological dig, with detailed
records of what is found. Some months later they returned to talk about the
leaders long career making wooden replica aircraft for museums and travel agents
displays.
Occasionally, we pick on a subject a theme for a club competition. Recent
themes have been "animals" which allowed anything that had an animal
or bird name. A wide variety of aircraft, tanks were entered along with a
display of 1:1 birds and a Jaguar car. Another theme was "Black and
White", any subject as long as it was painted in a black or white scheme.
One highly popular theme was to bring along your worst ever model, intended to
show the newer members that not everyone makes a stunning model every time.
I also showed off something that I came across recently. For some time I have
been using emery boards as I find them better than small files in many cases. In
our local chemist I came across some extra long boards that had 4 different
surfaces on a single board. Speaking to the girl behind the counter it
transpires that these are nail buffing boards designed to put a gloss finish on
your nails. I bought one to try it and was amazed on the effect on plastic.
Talking to a rep some time later, he told me that they are Micromesh and they do
boards in all sorts of grades. Added to this they retail at £1.00 each.
Well, that is enough of my ramblings for now. What do you get up to on club
nights? Get out your pen, or computer, jot down some notes and tell all of us
what makes your club special.
Derek Barrett
Last updated 28 April 2007
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