A gathering of model builders?

Model building tends to be a fairly solitary occupation, and with today's lack of model shops to gather in and natter, its often only the flying field at which fliers meet. Seeing what our local model railway club do, got me thinking. Model Railway Club Workshop

As many of us are retired or semi-retired, what are the thoughts on hiring a Scout hut or British Legion Hall for a few hours, one morning a week, for some of collective building, nattering and consumption of hot beverages? Clearly a facility like the one the railway modellers have takes considerable investment, however to rent a room with a few tables and chairs for a morning shouldn't be too outrageous, and it might help with the motivation to persevere when back at home.

I'm thinking of somewhere one could build an Ebenezer or Tomboy using one's own building board, tools etc, as opposed to carving a quarter scale C-17 out of a lump of foam. What do you think?

It's a good idea, however geography could be a problem, as members live quite distance apart.could work for those who live near each other.

Great idea Robin, however logistics may be a problem since our members are scattered up and down the length and breadth of the country. Even the annual fly in we used to have took some real organisation!

at Popham airfield we have a cafe and meet there so we are not in the cold not sure about the building could be tricky

I guess I was thinking beyond the members of this forum, and to aeromodellers generally. Clearly travelling for an hour or more would take the shine off such an event, although having said that, the monthly SAM35 gathering at the Old Ford pub, near Farnborough, used to attract people from far and wide (Essex in one case, as I recall).

Popham sounds like a good location. It tends to be fairly quiet in the week, although it would be down to the airfield management to decide if model building in the clubhouse is compatible with the regular users. Some years ago I used to dash down there from my contract in Basingstoke for an extended lunch break, to do an hour of circuits and bumps in a Cessna 152; brilliant fun!

Great idea Robin, but as said by others, geography may be a problem.

I live in Bedfordshire so Popham is a non starter due to the M25 being between me and the location - I'm sure you understand why!

BMFA Buckminster would be my suggestion, I wonder if Manny would be interested in setting it up......?

It's a long way from Cyprus, South Africa, or New Zealand, just for a cuppa, though! Slightly nearer for our Scottish members, but still a long drag down the country.

Robin Colbourne wrote: I guess I was thinking beyond the members of this forum, and to aeromodellers generally. Clearly travelling for an hour or more would take the shine off such an event, although having said that, the monthly SAM35 gathering at the Old Ford pub, near Farnborough, used to attract people from far and wide (Essex in one case, as I recall).

Popham sounds like a good location. It tends to be fairly quiet in the week, although it would be down to the airfield management to decide if model building in the clubhouse is compatible with the regular users. Some years ago I used to dash down there from my contract in Basingstoke for an extended lunch break, to do an hour of circuits and bumps in a Cessna 152; brilliant fun!

Robin
I used to be an Old Ford attendee back in the 80s and perhaps 70s as well - did our paths ever cross?
Mike

Mike Rolls wrote: Robin
I used to be an Old Ford attendee back in the 80s and perhaps 70s as well - did our paths ever cross?
Mike

Mike, its very likely. I occasionally flew free flight at Chobham Common, round the pole and various indoor designs at the RAE Farnborough assembly hall and taught an RC flying adult education course in Frimley. I used to go along to the Old Ford with my dad, Jim, and Michael Hayter whose Farnham Flycycle is pictured in the 'Pendulums' thread. Dare I say it, I was one of the younger attendees at the Old Ford!

I think that instead of asking everyone if its a good idea, just set it up and announce it. Those that can make it will and those that can't will read about it here! Just remember to take a lot of pictures and have fun. If it goes over well, maybe others in other parts of the country will do it as well. Just my two cents.

John Perry and I used to go together, taking it in turns to drive. Mike Kemp (who died some years back) was one of the regulars who proudly displayed a badge saying ' I beat John O'Donnell' having done just that in some contest or other. Mike Cummings, Howard Brocklebank, Adrian (surname forgotten) are other names I remember
Mike

Only 400 miles for me. Ok with that, every four years or do

I know of a couple of clubs who at times do something similar to the build workshop idea.

Mike Rolls wrote:

Robin Colbourne wrote: I guess I was thinking beyond the members of this forum, and to aeromodellers generally. Clearly travelling for an hour or more would take the shine off such an event, although having said that, the monthly SAM35 gathering at the Old Ford pub, near Farnborough, used to attract people from far and wide (Essex in one case, as I recall).

Popham sounds like a good location. It tends to be fairly quiet in the week, although it would be down to the airfield management to decide if model building in the clubhouse is compatible with the regular users. Some years ago I used to dash down there from my contract in Basingstoke for an extended lunch break, to do an hour of circuits and bumps in a Cessna 152; brilliant fun!

Robin
I used to be an Old Ford attendee back in the 80s and perhaps 70s as well - did our paths ever cross?
Mike

I went to the Old Ford meetings a couple of times, I found that all they wanted to talk about was the motor bikes they used to own in their youth, so I didn’t go again.

Bert

I went to the Old Ford meetings a couple of times, I found that all they wanted to talk about was the motor bikes they used to own in their youth, so I didn’t go again.

Bert[/quote]
That's a shame - you must have been unlucky - there was some great craic over the years

MIke