CLUB des AMIS du MECCANO: 44th INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
By Pete Wood • Published on Sunday 12 February 2017, 10:03am
Dear all,
You may be interested in attending this three-day event being held close to Paris Le Bourget and Roissy airport.
An information/application pack can be found here.
RMG Auction 2017
By Pete Wood • Published on Wednesday 14 December 2016, 11:46am
Hi folks,
2017 promises to kick off with a bang for the Guild, starting with the auction meeting on 4th February. We have secured the Chertsey Hall for this event, and we are starting to gear up for a bumper meeting.
You will have read in the latest magazine issue No.92, that the star attraction for the auction will be the fabulous model pictured below. John MacDonald's Grand Prix Racing Car is a marvel of creation and typical of his style of building. A model like this deserves to be on permanent display for all to see, and anyone would be proud to own it.
The model was fully featured in RMG issue 91 if you want to learn more about it.
We look forward to seeing you on the 4th Feb…
Magnet Makeover
By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 23 September 2016, 7:59am
Does your Magnet need a Makeover?
Do your Solenoids need Servicing??
Does your Flux need re-Filling???
Has your North pole gone South????
Ok — that's enough! … I can't think of any more :-D
Bring your Meccano magnets along to the Runnymede Meeting on 1st October, and Simon Walker will rejuvenate them for you… free of CHARGE !! ( I couldn't resist one more !!)
Magazine Material
By Pete Wood • Published on Wednesday 7 September 2016, 3:20pm
Hi Folks,
Several people have been asking me about deadlines for articles to be submitted, here is a generic answer which I hope you will all find useful? This is just a guide, the short answer is - "submit your article as soon as possible!"
For a chance to see your article published in the October issue (subject to the Editors discretion) please submit your material before 1st October. (the same "rule" applies for the February and June issues).
This is not an exact science and it doesn't mean your article won't get published if you miss this "deadline" by a week or so - sometimes it takes a little longer to put the magazine together before going to print.
If it doesn't make it into the next issue, there's a good chance it will appear in the following one, it all depends on the quantity of available material.
just keep those articles coming folks.....
All the best,
Pete
Renewal Invitation for 2017
By Pete Wood • Published on Sunday 28 August 2016, 9:57pm
Hi folks,
No need to panic, just a quick heads up in advance. Subscriptions will be due for renewal on 1st October 2016. Be sure to put a reminder on your calendar to update your subs for next year ...
Remember, some of you have already paid a year or more in advance, so you may not need to renew just yet. If you are unsure, just drop me a line and I'll let you know when your subs run out. Or you can wait until the individual reminders are posted in a few weeks time.
All the best,
Pete
Magazine Material
By Pete Wood • Published on Sunday 28 August 2016, 6:38pm
Hi folks,
As we are approaching the 30th anniversary of the Guild in October, it would be nice to celebrate by giving the magazine a bit of a boost. And so I must stress the age old problem that has faced our editor since the very first issue. Finding enough quality material to publish. Plea's for articles and snippets have been sent out in many issues over the years, with varied levels of response, and Nick has always had to mop the sweat from his brow as he somehow manages to rustle up enough material to fill the pages.
We now have close to 200 members around the globe, so we really should have no shortage of subject matter to play with. All that is needed is for members to put pen to paper, (or tap away on the keyboard) and start describing their fabulous models for all to read about. A few decent photos will top off your articles nicely. Just a couple of different general views, and some close ups of interesting details, and Bob's your Uncle!
I'd like to ask everyone to have a think about this, and see if you can come up with the goods? Whether it's Featured model write ups, exhibition reports, interesting anecdotes, potential model subjects, modelling hints tips and suggestions, poems or prose. Write about whatever you like (as long as it's related to Meccano in some way of course). Something topical based around the anniversary would be even more splendid, but please start sending in your material soon?
You can send articles by e-mail or post to either myself or more logically to Nick for approval and inclusion in the next issue … and/or beyond.
Just remember folks, it's your magazine — own it — be part of it — help to make it what it is … the best Meccano publication out there (probably).
Happy scribing. :-D
Kempton Great Steam Meccano Exhibition
By Pete Wood • Published on Thursday 25 February 2016, 8:20am
For several years now, we have been exhibiting at the Kempton Great Engines Museum, as part of the annual Arts and Crafts event and Steam weekend in November.
http://www.kemptonsteam.org/visit-us/opening-times
The Meccano contingency is organised by Robin Schoolar who this year suggested we might be able to move our exhibition to the earlier 15/16 October steam event, so it doesn't clash with other Meccano activities.
This idea was warmly received by the museum, and they suggested we might be able to put on a larger show, just Meccano, using all of the available floor space!
What a fantastic opportunity…
All we need to be able to say yes, is a show of support from the Meccano community, so please spread the word to all members, and clubs, and let us know if you are willing and able to attend.
We would also like to think of a suitable name for this new venture (along similar lines of the Kew event — Magic of Meccano) so if you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them.
Here are a few words from Robin's e-mail describing the museum layout etc…
If you feel there's a good chance you'd participate, it would be most helpful if you could let me know within the next week — the sooner the better in fact — indicating how many tables or feet you'd like and whether you'd be interested in both Saturday and Sunday, or just one day.
I know the date still seems quite some way off, so I'm not expecting firm promises, I'm happy to settle for a decent probability that people will come with models.
You can find information about the Engine House at http://www.kemptonsteam.org
Road access is straightforward from the A316, just a few miles from the "London End" of the M3.
The main attraction is a pair of huge Triple Expansion pumping engines in the grand setting of their original building. One engine should be in steam both days (the other hasn't been restored, so they take guided tours over it). Other items include a steam turbine and a Mercury Arc Rectifier, one of the very few which can still be seen operating under load. Outside is a 2 foot gauge steam railway, which so far is fairly small (but has big plans).
Models can be unloaded immediately outside the building, but access to the exhibition will involve steps. The basement involves going down two flights of maybe 8 steps each. The main floor involves going up rather more steps (but it's an impressively grand wide staircase). There usually seem to be people around willing to help carry if needed.
Mains power should be available for all table areas.
Although the Engine House isn't hard to get to, it's far less well known than it should be.
If the event goes ahead, I'll be trying to work out ways of getting more publicity for it (ideally at negligible cost!) in hope of attracting a larger attendance
If anyone has ideas on this or — even better — would like to help, please do let me know.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Thanks,
Robin Schoolar
MMG Exhibition 17th July 2016
By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 19 February 2016, 9:18pm
The Midlands Meccano Guild is once again hosting an exhibition at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon (junction 12 M40) as part of the annual Ford Motor Show. This will be held on 17th July 2016.
for more details, contact the Guild Secretary Roger Marriott or check out the following links:
http://www.midlandsmeccanoguild.com
https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
RMG Auction
By Pete Wood • Published on Thursday 14 January 2016, 12:29pm
Hi guys,
As a heads up for the forthcoming auction meeting to be held on 6th February, We'd like to announce the inclusion of two special lots for you to consider in advance.
By kind permission from Cynthia MacDonald, a number of John's models are to be auctioned once they have been written up and featured in the RMG magazine. The first two are now ready to be released and these are shown here ...
The first you will recognise, and the second one will be appearing in the next issue.
Lot No. 1** 6 x 6 Chassis
Lot No.2** Tractor Unit
Clarification of Dates
By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 6 October 2015, 11:28am
Important — please take note!
Hi everyone,
There are two event dates which I need to clarify as early as possible:
- The Magic of Meccano Show at the London Museum of Water and Steam is on 23rd - 24th April 2016
I may have caused some confusion on the meeting reminders thinking it was the previous weekend!
The events page does show the correct dates.
- The RMG June meeting has been re-scheduled for 28th May 2016 (Bank Holiday Weekend)
Unfortunately, our usual slot for the first Saturday in June was already booked up, so this was our best alternative option. The events page has now been amended.
Please check your diaries and make sure you have the correct dates listed.
Apologies for any inconvenience which may have been caused!