Before I catch up on earlier matters [maybe later tonight or tomorrow] I will give a short update on the Alfold Charity Model Show from last weekend, down there at the Care Ashore HQ, Springbok Estate, Alfold, Surrey.
The weather this year was just superb, likewise the company and camaraderie. There were some 22 MBCs, including the large Moorhen MBC stand and a similar one from the Portsmouth & District MPBC too. It was good to see some new clubs joining in for the first time too. The Eastourne MBC [Martin, Ian and John] who were just across the aisle from my LBES gazebo, and they were 'royally' entertained by my antics, right across the weekend!! Thanks guys for your help, humour and guardianship of my stand in my regular 'absences' - when I remembered my key! Also Ramsgate Vikings MBC, with one gent [sorry, forgot his name] taking the 'Best Lifeboat' shield! Which brings me to the fact that we gave a small tribute to the late Tony Olliff at the awards and presentations. Tony passed away in April and his name appears on many of the cups and shields at this Show. He was a prolific model lifeboat builder to a superb standard. He had an 'impish' sense of humour and regularly wandered around the stands. He was a founder member member of the Southern Model Lifeboat Society, along with Reg Woodcock and others and was also a member of the LBES. Trevor Goacher, the CEO of Care Ashore, said when he arrived on the estate he was more than a guest - he was 'one of the Springbok Estate family, a fine accolade indeed. However, without Tony this year the bar takings were down considerably!! He will be sorely missed. Should anyone [or Club] wish to make a tribute donation in memory of Tony, please send it to Trevor Goacher [CEO] at Care Ashore - it will be gratefully received and help boost the money raised this weekend for this fine Charity, looking after the needs of Merchant Seamen, Royal Navy staff and divers too.
Oh, there were model railway layouts, some real diesel engines pumping water, a bouncy castle and other entertainments, as well as the Guides and Rangers providing good food and drinks.
Attached are a few shots of my stand. Notice the stand that was the 'brain child' of Arno [SwiftDoc] - it is great in the workshop, holds the boat securely when moving it from the workshop to the car and it travels so steadily in transit and still looks great on display - wunderbar! The beautiful little 41' 'Aldeburgh' Beach Lifeboat was scratch built by John Sanders and I acquired that from him a few years back. It's the Dungeness based lifeboat, so goes well with their Shannon, here in build!
It was good to meet so many folk that spend time reading this 'thread' - thanks.
Kim [C.C.]