North West Model Shipwrights Society

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Saturday, 20th April, 2024

Today has been the end of an era for me.    I joined the North West Model Shipwrights Society about 32 years ago, although I made my first visit there as a guest 42 years ago when I was still at sea.

As the years rolled by, interest in model shipbuilding went into a sharp decline, and was mainly confined to kits in the end.

At the Society meeting today, that was also the annual general meeting, the society was renamed North West Model Society, the term “shipwrights” being dropped.   There were only nine members present, two aircraft models and one tugboat model.   The meetings will continue, but will cover all types of model – not just ships.    We meet once a month in Grimsargh, Lancashire.   But I guess this is the beginning of the end.
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“Life at best is but an enigma, and like children pursuing a “Will O’ The Wisp,”so do we all pursue the illusive beacon light of a brighter and happier to-morrow – always hoping, never attaining, though striving ever until, wearied of the vain pursuit, at last we fall by the wayside and are forgotten.”

Charles Clark Munn (1847 – 1917)

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

This announcement seems to have been a bit of a  “damp squib!”     I guess model shipbuilding is pretty low on the agenda of younger folk these days.    All “washed up” and about time we accepted it and did something else!   

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

All “washed up” and about time we accepted it and did something else!

I don’t wish to do something else and I don’t belong to a club so it doesn’t affect me.

The move to making model shows more inclusive of different subjects has been going for a while now and makes a lot of sense given that model making generally is in decline and has been for many years as the younger generations choose other ways to spend their time.

The recent Midhurst Show I reported on for the magazine has been going for for years as a showcase for boats, trains and other types of modelling and the variety of subjects keeps it viable. Like many model boaters I also enjoy seeing other types of modelmaking and craft work.

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I will still continue with the society for the time being, but at the moment, not much going on.   On Saturday, nine members present.   Model aircraft diorama and a tug boat.    I haven’t taken any models for some time now, because as I have said on many occasions, they seldom raise as much as a casual glance.    I cannot build any more, although I would like to, because glue fumes now affect my breathing rather badly, and I have very little energy left due to other medical treatments.   I can’t see as well either, so now it is down to maritime drawing that I can do quite easily.     I am also looking towards steampunk modelling out of metal.

There is still a great demand for the models from collectors,    but I never really liked the constant pressure to produce more.    

I will not be joining any more societies and seldom went to model shows, because the subjects rarely appealed to me. 

 

 

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

 

Hi Bob,

Things move on in all walks of life it’s just the way it is, I love model making in all forms and has been almost a way of life in my 68 years so far, It’s just what I do as enjoyment, I could have bought a Ferrari with the money I have spent on modelling in the last 60 years 🙂 but it has been money well spent  🙂

All the best

Ray

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Hi Ray,

It has been the other way round with me – I haven’t spent much on it at all, as most of my simple tools I have had for years and materials are generally available very cheap on Ebay. 

I have built and sold over 280 models over the last 32 years, but writing about it has been the highest income, but since Conway Maritime quit the model shipbuilding field, that has become much reduced, although my e-books and downloads continue to sell, and I will soon be concentrating on them, but I have worn myself out with models,  and am quite relieved that it is all over.    I am now 80 years old – and feeling it very much –   

Bob

 

 

 

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

I’m one of the lucky folk who has nearly a full set of Model Shipwright’s with so much of your work featured , treasure indeed 🙂

Kind Regards

Ray

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Hi Ray,

They were good years, editor John Bowen’s and my own interest in the field were identical and although we never met, we worked closely via the internet or on the telephone to work out the articles.   I think that Conway ended Model Shipwright when John died, still working, at the age of 99.

Bob

 

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

My youngest son Felix Rowe worked for Conway for a short period before going freelance.  He now works very closely with the TV series The Time Team.  As a result of his Conway time I am the proud owner of one of the Model Shipwright Editions.  Shame he didn’t stay on longer!!

Tim

[Len Morris 2Participant @lenmorris2]

Hi Bob,

I live within 20 minutes of Grimsargh.  It would help to know the date of their next meeting, the time, and the street address.  They might find they have some more boat minded people attending.

Len. 🙂 

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Hi Len,

Hi Len,The meetings are in the Caton room, attached to the side of St Michael’s Parish Church Grimsargh Preston Road PR2 2SD

May meeting 18th – Doors open at 1000

June Meeting 15th             ditto

Plenty of free parking – disabled access.   Toilet facilities.   Tea and coffee making facilities

Wives of partners welcome, and accompanied children.

We have a group on Facebook if you are a member of Facebook.

Bob

PS – Link – if it works – https://www.facebook.com/NWMSUK

[Len Morris 2Participant @lenmorris2]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for that.  It’s on mi calendar and in mi satnav.  I’ll bring mi Puffer along to provide some light entertainment.

Len.   

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Look forward to seeing you and the puffer.     Visitors are always free at first, but should you wish to join, our annual subscription has been reduced to £5.     

Bob 

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Is that postcode correct or should it be PR2 5SD?

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

You are quite correct – It should be PR2 5SD – sorry  –  my mistake.

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Apologies for going temporarily off topic but Bob might be interested that there is a four page article on RMS St Helena in the May 2024 issue of Ships Monthly magazine.

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks Colin, I didn’t know that – Bob 

 

[Len Morris 2Participant @lenmorris2]

Hi Everybody,

Went along to the North West Model Society in Grimsargh last Saturday morning.  Took mi Puffer along and was made very welcome.  Some 8 people there and several excellent models (far better than my simple skills).  The focus was about the clubs forthcoming D Day exhibition with an Xcraft, Type VII and a Flower Corvette on show at the meeting.  Lasted about 2 hours but seemed like 5 minutes.

The next meeting is June 15 at 10am for a 10.30 start.  The address is St Michael’s Parish Church, Grimsargh, Preston Road, PR2 5SD.  Junction 31a on the M6 will get you within 5 miles of the village.  Be aware that there are 2 St Michael’s Churches on Preston Road in the village with the same post code.  CE and RC.  The venue is the RC church on the north side of the village.

If you can come along and bring a model with you for a ‘show and tell’ it would be excellent.

Len. 🙂   

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Interestingly, regarding the mention of periodicals above, I came into the possession some years ago of about ten copies of a periodical called “The Sheet Anchor”, which was the journal of “The Wembley Ship Model Society”.  They are from around 1954, ’55 and ’56 and are all hand typed and include hand drawn diagrams, copied photographs, some on glossy paper, reproduced ship drawings and a wealth of incredibly interesting information.  I guess that’s how media was distributed in those days! There are even a number of articles by Norman Ough, one of them entitled “The Social and Educational Significance of Ship Model Making”.  I wonder what he would think of where we are now?

The trouble is with things like this is that, while I find them an incredibly interesting read, I suspect there will probably be very few others who think the same.  Despite their age and value to a traditional model ship builder I suspect they have absolutely no monetary value, so the age old problem rears its head again of what to do with them.  I’d rather not give them to a charity shop as they will almost certainly end up being handed around people who don’t really want them and they are in rather a delicate state already so won’t put up with rough handling.

I also have a much larger pile of Model Engineering magazines, some of which go back to the 1930s but, again, of very limited value or use.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

They probably have quite a high value on selling sites such as Ebay, but I wouldn’t think model boat clubs would have much interest in them. I have a vast library of old maritime engineering journals and magazines, many of which are now selling on Ebay for hundreds of pounds a volume (not mine, I add, as I would never sell any of them!?

 

 

 

 

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

We are still faced with the same challenge though, what to do with these collections when we have gone.  If we don’t at least have an idea of what to do with them before we go we are almost certainly going to leave our wives/partners/families with something to deal with that they have little knowledge of and will simply want to get rid.

To be honest I would far rather deal with it before I go, hopefully a bit closer to the time but who knows, and know that they have gone to a good home rather than burden my wife with something else to worry about at a time when she has a pile of other things to deal with.  Like the disposal of a large model railway collection, model boats, steam engines, boilers, four motorcycles, etc..etc..etc..

[James Hill 5Participant @jameshill5]

I think a lot of us are in a similar position Richard as age catches up with us. Myself, I have a railway layout , not completed , but working, that I would willingly give to a club or school etc for them to continue with but it’s difficult to find someone in that position. Plus now, the boats I’ve managed to build. Apart from some establishments that do buy those sort of things, the only alternative is break it up and bin it. I don’t think my problem is as complex as yours though.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I don’t give it much thought.   My wife knows the value of my books, and I dare say a quick call to Charles Miller Ltd, Marine Auctioneers, London, and he would come and collect the lot.

The remaining models are no problem.     Despite having said loads of times that I do not build them any more. I still get lots of requests for them, and since I did stop, the prices have soared when my old models show up at auctions in the US or UK.    If you want to sell anything, best to give a good review of what they contain and see what happens. 

I would not recommend giving anything away, as that suggests it is of little value.    Museums do not appear to be interested in our maritime heritage any more.     

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Saturday, 15th June, 2024

Went to the North West Model Society today in Grimsargh, where I was pleased to meet Len Morris (See above).  Only nine members there, models:  Len’s submarine and cannon, several aircraft  and my Baron Vernon.

Here is the Baron Vernon, model and my drawing of same

Bob

[Len Morris 2Participant @lenmorris2]

Hi Everybody,

Just so you know, the next meeting of The North West Model club at Grimsargh is on July 20.  10am for a 10.30 start at St Michael’s church on the north side of the village.  Junction 31a on the M6.

Len

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