News

Meeting Details Liphook Sat 1st February

By Robin Schoolar • Published on Tuesday 28 January 2025, 6:00pm

We hope as many members as possible will be at Liphook this Saturday, 1st February

Don't forget

• Please do bring models and historical displays
• We still need two or three volunteers to share writing Model Report between them.  If no volunteers are forthcoming, expect a very minimalist model report in the next magazine.  All that's needed is writing - Magazine Editor (or one of his minions) can deal with adding pictures
• If you have a description of your model which can be emailed, please send it in reply to this message, and I'll ensure it is forwarded to whoever is writing model report
• Please make sure your name is displayed alongside your models.  Even better, ensure your name is on a written description by your display.
• Wearing name badges helps everyone.  (Anyone who doesn't have a name badge should talk to Pete Wood)
• RMG hope that tea coffee and biscuits will be available - thanks to a volunteer (at least this time) to look after them
• In event space becomes tight, members occupying more than two tables may be asked to free up space so it is possible for others to show what they have brought.

Timetable for the day (provisional)

10:30 Doors open for setting up tables, mains leads, table covers.  Help with setup greatly appreciated.  Please do NOT bring in models or auction lots until setup is complete.  Putting anything on tables which don't yet have covers is particularly inconvenient.

11:00 Green light to bring in and set up models.  Lots can now be accepted for auction.

13:00 No further auction lots can be accepted after this time.

13:30 Start of Business Meeting.  Business Agenda below.

........ Once business is complete, 5 minute break, after which auction will commence.

17:00 Venue must be clear with everyone out of the door.

Business Agenda (provisional)

• Welcome
• Apologies for absence
• Committee changes and vacancies
• Introducing new committee members (subject to meeting approval)
• Inviting suggestions so we can start planning how RMG might mark its 40th anniversary in 2026
• Upcoming Events
  • Midhurst Sunday 9th February - Pete Wood
  • Kempton Sat 12 + Sun 13th April - Robin Schoolar
  • Hollycombe Sun 4th + Mon 5th May - Andy Ripley
  • opportunity to mention more events
• Any other business

Venue

Liphook Millennium Centre,
2 Ontario Way,
Liphook,
Hampshire,
GU30 7LD

Parking

Park in front of the venue (preferably in the layby) is allowed so long as you are unloading or loading.

However it is important to move your vehicle as soon as you have unloaded - the venue inform us that penalties have been imposed on vehicles left too long.

There is no charge for parking in Sainsbury's car park, with no time limit, and there should be plenty of space in the zone closest to our venue (which is furthest from supermarket entrance) 

Bumper RMG Auction Sat 1st Feb 2025

By Robin Schoolar • Published on Monday 27 January 2025, 4:26pm

Our meeting this Saturday (1st February 2025) will feature a bumper auction, in that the first 28 lots will be Meccano owned by the late Michael Edwards.

His brother Phillip has decided that the RMG auction will maximise the chance of Michael's Meccano finding new owners who will appreciate it.

Undoubted highlight will be lot 26, which is the whole of Michael's Exhibition Model of a Tramway with three Trams.

Given this is the model for which Michael was probably best known, Phillip is hoping that whoever buys it may be able to keep it intact, at least for a while, and if possible operate it at a Meccano meeting/exhibition or two.

The setup includes three trams running on 22 feet of 3.5" gauge track, complete with overhead gantries, and there is a control system which can be used to operate the system automatically, or it can be switched to an automatic mode where one tram periodically runs as a shuttle service 

For an idea of what lot 26 comprises, see this Gallery.

The system comes complete with this copiously illustrated 17 page manual, written by Phillip, detailing how to set up, operate and fault find the system.

Information and pictures of all Michael's lots can be found at the end of this news item.

There will be no reserve prices on any of Michael's Meccano.  All his lots must be sold given Phillip lives in California, so there is nowhere for unsold lots to be returned to.

Please note practicalities of this auction as follows

• Auction cashier (Robin Schoolar) can only accept lots between 11am and 1pm.
• Payment in cash preferred, cheques accepted.  Electronic payment will not be possible.
• To keep the auction manageable, we must limit members to two lots each (limit does not apply to lots where all proceeds are to RMG funds!)
• There will also be a limit on total number of lots on the auction
• If there is demand, a further auction may be scheduled for subsequent RMG meeting at Liphook on Sat 7th June
• With a large number of lots to deal with, RMG auctioneer will be encouraging brisk bidding.  Anyone who is slow deciding to bid, or who doesn't call out their bid loudly and clearly, is at risk of missing out.
• Sellers may set a reserve price, but the 10% fee for this must be paid to the auction cashier when the lot is accepted for auction.  If lot doesn't sell, fee will be retained for RMG funds.  If lots sells, seller will be refunded the fee and receive the usual 10% commission.  So a reserve of £50 would need £5 initial fee.  If a lot sells for £70, seller will have £5 refunded plus receive £63 (ie 90% of proceeds).  RMG nets £7, ie 10%. 

Michael Edwards' Meccano Lots

Lot 1: Christmas Decoration - motorised

Lot 2: Small Bus - Driven by PDU

Lot 3: Stationary Steam Engine driven by 20V motor

Lot 4: Aero Constructor 2S - repainted

Lot 5: Robot powered by Stokys sideplate motor

Lot 6: Meccanograph from 1960s set 8

Lot 7: Bunch of three fun models - good for shows

Lot 8: Two boxes of electric and clockwork motors

Lot 9: Tub 1 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

No picture available ... will be on view at Liphook

Lot 10: Tub 2 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 11: Tub 3 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 12: Tub 4 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 13: Number 2 Car Constructor, repainted, with repro parts too

Lot 14: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, small, repainted

Lot 15: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, large, repainted

Lot 16: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, medium, repainted

Lot 17: Group of "play" models, two motorised, including 7 set exploding ship

Lot 18: Models & parts from the Special Edition set in red&green

Lot 19: Box of mainly pre 1934 parts

Lot 20: HCS books including Vol 6, four CQ and Meccano Constructors Guide

Lot 21: Framed Meccano images

Lot 22: Nickel 3 and 3a (doubt complete), repro 3 lid, poor manuals; plus box of dark red/green 

Lot 22 continued: Nickel 3 and 3a (doubt complete), repro 3 lid, poor manuals; plus box of dark red/green

Lot 23: Restrung set 3, repro lid

Lot 24: Restrung set 4 (1937)

Lot 25: Fake Meccano Spitfire and unusual old Electrical set

Lot 26: Michael Edwards' Tramway System

See here for pictures

See here for copiously illustrated 17 page manual, written by Phillip Edwards, detailing how to set up, operate and fault find the system

Lot 27: Steam Powered Lorry

Lot 28: Tub 5 of parts

No picture available ... should be on view at Liphook

Meccano Parts Donations

By Craig Longhurst • Published on Monday 27 January 2025, 2:32pm

Dear members,

At the upcoming Midhurst and Kempton exhibitions I will be showing a variety of models built from the 00+ set (as used in the 2008 Spanner Christmas Challenge and based on the 1928 Outfit 00), to demonstrate the versatility of just a handful of Meccano parts.

To enable visitors to take some Meccano magic away with them I plan to have sets on sale, with 100% proceeds going to club funds. I have designed and 3D printed small parts trays that use a 5.5" flanged plate as lid - so our new recruits to Meccanoland can keep their treasured Meccano parts together.

It would be a huge help if you are able to donate any of the Meccano parts listed, in any quantities. Bolts to be Allen head. Also need Allen keys rather than screwdrivers. Parts need to be in good condition (either original finish or resprayed), no rust(!) please.

I will be at the meeting in Liphook on 1st Feb and happy to accept parts donations there. If you have parts available but are not able to attend the meeting then please get in touch - we may be able to arrange collection.

Very many thanks,

Craig

Urgent RMG Vacancies

By Robin Schoolar • Published on Tuesday 21 January 2025, 11:17am

Greetings Runnymede Meccano Guild members and website subscribers

Important note about emails like this
This email is being sent via RMG website, and going forward, RMG will probably be using emails like this as most straightforward way of communicating with members.
If you really would prefer not see emails like this, you can login to rmguild.org.uk (using email address to which this was sent), go to AccountPreferences, and then un-tick subscription checkbox(es).
Alternatively you can simply reply to message saying "stop news emails" / "stop event emails" / "stop all emails" and I'll be happy take care of it for you
However any member choosing to disable subscriptions, will miss out on important messages such as this from RMG.

Urgent RMG Vacancies
As you can see listed below, RMG now has a number of vacancies, some rather urgent, some longer term.
Background to this is that John Rogers has decided to step down from editing RMG Magazine with immediate effect.
John no longer feels able to put in the time to produce three 60 page magazines per year, and states that the most recent (Autumn 2024) issue must be his last.
John has done a superb job of maintaining and improving RMG magazine's quality for over five years, so my own feeling is that we should thank him for all that hard work and respect his insistence on standing down.

Most fortunately, Craig Longhurst has volunteered to take over not just as Magazine Editor, but also some other important roles as well (see below)
I hope that at next Liphook meeting, members will express their appreciation to Craig for taking this on.
To ease Craig into his new role, I feel I should point out that RMG magazine can only be as good as the contributions that members such as you write.  So if you receive an issue which contains fewer than the 60 pages we have become accustomed to, please do not criticise the editor!  Instead, get writing in order to help increase the amount of worthwhile content in the next issue.

Regards Robin Schoolar (Provisional Membership Secretary)


Despite Craig filling some vacancies, a number remain unfilled
PLEASE THINK HARD WHETHER YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE VACANCIES BELOW

URGENT VACANCY: Refreshments and Kitchen Co-ordinator
Following John Rogers' decision to stand down as editor, his wife Lisa is no longer available to look after Refreshments and Kitchen.
Given that refreshments at RMG meetings are tea coffee and biscuits, this is not a particularly onerous duty, but is greatly appreciated by members.
Burden could be reduced by sharing the load during meetings amongst a few people taking turns through the day. 
Main "duties" are (a) topping up biscuit plates (b) refreshing the teapot (c) processing dirty items through the (simple and rapid) dishwasher that is available in the Liphook kitchen (d) (optional) maximising gossip circulating amongst members.
Please would anyone potentially interested in this role respond BEFORE February meeting, because supplies (whose cost is reimbursed from Guild funds) are generally bought ahead of the meeting, which would become a waste with nobody to serve them out on the day.

Clearly it follows that if nobody offers to take on this role, anyone attending Liphook on 1st February should assume there will be no refreshments whatsoever.

URGENT VACANCY: Model Reporters
Arguably John Rogers was too good to the Guild, by often writing the model report in addition to producing the magazine.
Producing the magazine is already a big enough task for RMG's new editor, Craig.
So RMG really does need some of those who come to meetings to take on writing the Model Report.
The essential requirement is to write the words.  Craig can then do (or delegate) the page layout, combining words with pictures (which may well be supplied by more than one person)
This is a role where there would be real advantage in being able to call on a pool of volunteers.
That way each person needs to report on only a half or a third of the models during a meeting.
If task of Model Reporting can be rotated to others at subsequent meeting, this not only spreads the load still further but also increases the variation in writing style.
Note that at February meeting, all RMG committee members will be preoccupied with the auction (more auction details will be sent to members soon), so they will not have capacity to write model report.
 

Vintage Steam Festival at Eversley 22nd June 2024

By Peter Wood • Published on Thursday 21 March 2024, 9:55am

Calling all Steam Buffs,

Would you like to get involved and display your Steam related Meccano models at this event on 22nd June 2024?

If you are interested, please do get in touch with Jonathan Clark for more information

(contact details are on the poster below).

Map and location is also shown below.

Auction Meeting 3rd February 2024

By Peter Wood • Published on Wednesday 10 January 2024, 9:55am

Dear all,

In anticipation of the forthcoming auction, we have details of some of the lots already, which I am sharing with you now to give you the opportunity to peruse and consider. If you are interested in any of these, then you may wish to come prepared?

The photos shown below may not represent individual lots as they will be offered on the day. Some may well be combined for convenience, but this should give you some idea of what to expect.

We are also expecting a No. 9 set in Red/Green and a No. 7 set in Zinc/Yellow. I currently don't have photos of these as yet, but any images that are sent to me in coming days will be added to the gallery as soon as possible.

On that note, if you do have lots of your own that you wish to showcase, please send me your photos as soon as you can.

Subs for 2023-24

By John Rogers • Published on Monday 30 October 2023, 1:21pm

Please may I offer a gentle reminder that RMG subscriptions were due as of 1st October 2023.

May I request that any members who wish to continue their membership but have not yet renewed, please could you do so at your earliest convenience.

If you have decided for any reason not to renew could you please let us know as soon as possible?

We had an excellent AGM meeting held at Liphook on 30th September. Our Editor John Rogers is finalising the next issue of the RMG magazine which includes a full report on the meeting and several detailed contributions from members who attended. Also included is a detailed review of the recent Henley Gathering and several articles from members with news about their latest projects.

Many thanks indeed.

Runnymede Meccano Guild

Subscription Holiday

By Peter Wood • Published on Friday 10 September 2021, 7:57pm

Dear members,

As you will know, since February 2020 and due to something called Covid 19, we missed out on three meetings at Chertsey prior to July this year when we had the “Liphook Gathering”. For everyone who paid their subs in 2020, the committee feels it is only fair to offer a subs holiday for 2021/22 in recognition of the fact that we didn’t need to cover any hall rentals for a full year. Therefore, we are not asking for any payments this October from members whose subs were paid up for 2020/21.

The cut-off date for the offer will be the posting date for RMG Magazine issue 106 which is imminent and all being well should be early next week (check date of this message).

Anyone who may wish to continue to pay subs voluntarily is free to do so, and these will be received as such with enormous gratitude. Either way, all current members as described above will continue to receive magazines throughout the coming year to include June 2022 (issue 109).

We will review the situation regarding further subs due for October 2022 a bit nearer the time.

Many thanks indeed.

Liphook Gathering

By Robin Schoolar • Published on Wednesday 21 July 2021, 3:57pm

Liphook Gathering

Saturday 31 July 2021, 12:00pm – 5:00pm

As already posted in the events page, (further details can be found here) may I draw your attention to the following -

As a substitute for our cancelled June meeting we are hosting a Gathering at Liphook Millennium Centre on Saturday 31 July 2021 from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm.

All Meccano enthusiasts are welcome (it is not restricted to RMG members), especially if they bring a model.

We expect the event to be popular, so recommend contacting Robin Schoolar at rschoolar@gmail.com in advance to reserve table space. However we’ll do our best to find space for anyone who simply turns up with a model on the day.

Meccano Traders are also welcome but please make contact before-hand to discuss space requirements.

There is no meeting charge, but bear in mind we don’t yet know whether we can offer catering, so best come prepared to feed yourselves. Keep an eye out on this page in case we have updates on this.

The venue is a few minutes drive from the A3 and has ample free parking (GU30 7LD). It is also just a few minutes walk from Liphook Railway Station.

Henley Gathering 2020

By Pete Wood • Published on Wednesday 29 July 2020, 10:52pm

Dear all,

Please see the content from the Henley flyer below for further details of this years Gathering, and if you are interested in attending, you will need to contact the HSME secretary Ian Henwood to register your interest (e-mail link below).

(Apologies for the lack of images/maps; I couldn't get them to load up).

The Henley Gathering 2020

We are hopeful to be holding the 49th Henley Gathering at the Christ Church Centre, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AG on Saturday September 5th 2020.

In these difficult times arrangements will have to be a little different from normal. We will need to keep a record of everyone attending for contact tracing purposes. We will also need to plan for 2 metre social distancing throughout the Centre so display tables will be arranged as individual tables 2 metres apart.

Notwithstanding all this however we would be delighted for Meccano Club members to come along and bring a model.

If you are able to come please let Ian Henwood know so that we can start the contact list and details of what tables you want if you have a model.

ianhenwood12@hotmail.co.uk

You can find your way using the simplified map above. Doors open at 09:00am.

Some car parking is available at the centre: please respect the disabled bays. If designated parking spaces are full, please deliver your model, and move your vehicle to a long stay park.

A £5.00 admission fee will be charged to help defray exhibition costs.

If you can bring your own extension leads/adaptors and table coverings that would be useful.

The Henley Society of Meccano Engineers
www.hsme.org.uk