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!
A Golden Spanner in our Midst !
By Pete Wood • Published on Wednesday 23 September 2015, 12:12pm
No doubt everyone has heard on the grapevine already, but it's always nice to make these kind of announcements!
At the ISM Annual General Meeting 2015, held at the Christchurch centre Henley, during the Henley Gathering, Our very own president and Founder, Nick Rodgers was awarded the highly coveted Golden Spanner Award.
In the words of Adrian Williams, the award is not for being a skilled modeller, but for being a jolly nice chap!
Congratulations Nick, on behalf of everyone who would add their vote to this nomination!
written by Pete Wood.
Below is the letter of recommendation written by Colin Hoare, on behalf of the nominating group - CMAMAS. (The Canadian Modelling Association for Meccano and Allied Systems).
The Executive of the Canadian Modelling Association for Meccano and Allied Systems would to nominate Nick Rodgers as a candidate for the 2015 Golden Spanner Award.
Nick Rodgers can best be defined as the mastermind behind the Runnymede Meccano Guild that keeps the club in the forefront of the hobby, as one of the top clubs around the world. Furthermore, Nick Rodgers has consistently constructed quality models that he has built to his own design, many of which have been assembled as closely as possible to replicate the prototypes that he has copied. His ability to curve Flexible Plates to follow the profiles of the originals is outstanding. As proof of this, his most recent model, that of a Bulk Cement Carrier, was of such a high standard that it may never be equalled.
Nick is a prolific modelbuilder. He probably has built more individual models than 95% of Meccanomen around the world, the plans for many of which have yet to be published. He has also, at his own volition, undertaken two significant projects that has contributed to the body of literature of the hobby.
The first of these was to step back into history, and take the Set 7 and Set 8 Manuals from the 1950's that Meccano Limited included with the red & green sets of that era, then rebuild the models according to the instructions. From his published comments on their ease of construction (or otherwise), he showed which of these models that could be assembled easily, and others that would have create difficulties for young enthusiasts. One can read his comments on each of the models when they were duly published in the “RMG Newsletter.”
The second project resulted from his personal liaison with the late Andreas Konkoly. Almost from the time that the “Runnymede Meccano Guild Newsletter” was first launched, ModelPlans that the noted Hungarian Meccanoman had designed were featured. The photographs were, however, complemented with Andreas’ unique description in English. Following the death of Andreas, Nick embarked on trying to secure copies of all the ModelPlans. He then invited members of the Guild to join him and participate in rebuilding the models, and rewriting them in clear English, so that they could be republished. Under Nick’s guidance, the first forty models in the collection have now been published in booklet form by the RMG, all at a very reasonable price. Had this not happened, these fascinating models would probably have been lost to posterity.
There are two other aspects of Nick’s work that fill out why we believe that Nick should be nominated. First is his role as Editor of the magazine. Without his determination, the magazine may never have seen the light of day. Over the years, the “Runnymede Meccano Guild Newsletter” has gone from strength to strength. There are now over eighty issues, and the amount of quality material that appears in each issue is probably second to none. Reports on Guild Meetings, features articles on models constructed by members, series on how to use of Meccano parts to maximum effectiveness all form the core of a top-notch magazine. The magazine has taken advantage of all the modern publishing methods that ensures a magazine will appeal to its readers. Computer-designed layout, combined with use of modern photographic techniques has created a magazine that is easy on the eye, while, at the same time, one can identify the key items that stand out.
The magazine is published three times a year, and rarely is the publication deadline missed - not easy when it requires the input of volunteers to make sure the subscribers receive their copies in good time. In addition, a list of the articles usually reveals that Nick has authored three, four or even more in each issue.
As a measure of the respect that the magazine has acquired, the regular list of new members who have signed up over the past five years comes to just under one hundred. An impressive number, considering that subscriptions to most magazines have dropped in the same time period.
When it comes to club meetings, Nick is also the member who is instrumental in making sure that everything goes smoothly, not only before the meeting itself, but also once the meeting is under way. He handles the hall bookings, and makes share that he arrives early to organise the set-up of the tables. In addition, with the assistance of his wife Eva, he makes certain that there are enough volunteers to cater to the food requirements of hungry Meccanomen.
Once the meeting is over, Nick makes sure that the hall is restored to normal so that it is ready for the next user.
Participation in other shows run by other Meccano clubs is also part of Nick’s DNA. He attends many of the top exhibitions in other part of the United Kingdom, and is a regular attendee at SkegEx, among other shows. Who writes the bulk of the reports on these events for the “RMG Newsletter?” None else but Nick Rodgers.
Web shop back online
By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 8 September 2015, 2:48pm
Hi folks,
You may have already noticed, but the issues previously reported have now been resolved and the web shop is back online.
Thank you for your patience, and please accept my apologies for any inconvenience.
As we are approaching 1st October, I would also like to invite members to renew their subscriptions for next year — the membership section in the shop has now been updated to cater for this.
Individual membership renewal reminders will be sent out as normal in the next week or two…
Many thanks and regards,
Pete Wood
A Meccano Bridge
By Pete Wood • Published on Monday 23 March 2015, 12:02pm
This article was sent to me by Gerry Kingston…
A Meccano bridge
By Rebecca Black • 3 March 2015
It's an old childhood favourite — and it's set to span the River Lagan this summer.
An ambitious project to create a temporary bridge constructed entirely from Meccano is the brainchild of the engineering department at Queen's University, Belfast.
Schoolchildren will be drafted in to help the students and academics as part of the university's outreach programme.
Members of Belfast City Council's Parks and Leisure Committee heard last month that Queen's has requested permission to hold an event at Clement Wilson Park (South Belfast) linked to the construction of the bridge.
The committee heard the lightweight crossing is be around 24 metres and is proposed to span a section of the river in Clement Wilson Park in the south of the city. The university has designed and tested a model of the bridge and told the committee that it is "satisfied that it can be done".
Construction is set to take place off site, and sections of the bridge will be transported to the park where they will be erected on site.
Special pieces of Meccano have had to be ordered by the university for the project.
Construction is expected to start shortly at Queen's for sections of the bridge before the bridge-building event takes place in June. Queen's require permission from the Rivers Agency for the bridge and from Belfast City Council as owners of Clement Wilson Park to hold the construction event.
Last night the council voted in favour and endorsed a recommendation from the Parks and Leisure committee granting permission for Queen's to erect the temporary bridge.
It's not the first time a bridge made from Meccano has been constructed.
There was one completed in Liverpool in 2009. Top Gear presenter James May fronted the project as part of his Toy Stories television programme.
RMG Magazine Back Issues (Second Edition)
By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 13 March 2015, 6:19pm
Good News!
The next batch of RMG Magazine Back Issues (Second Edition) is now available for pre-order!
Issues 11 to 20 will be going to print shortly, and you can now place your orders in the shop's Magazine Section.
As before, they are on SPECIAL OFFER if you purchase the full set of 10 issues, and if you missed the chance the first time, a further discount is offered if you order Batch 1 and Batch 2 together (Issues 1 to 20)!
If you simply want to fill in any gaps in your collection, each issue can be ordered individually.
There will be a limited supply of issues once printed, so guarantee your order by visiting the shop now!
A Labour of Love
By Pat Briggs • Published on Thursday 26 February 2015, 11:27am
A review of Andreas Konkoly’s Supermodel booklets
Nick Rodgers is well known as the popular President of the Runnymede Meccano Guild and also for producing the well regarded member’s magazine almost single handedly.
What perhaps is not general knowledge is that since 1989 he has been engaged on a mission, the objective being to collate the diverse model plans of Andreas Konkoly of Hungary who died in 2003.
Andreas first became known to me in the 60’s when he offered details and photos of his designs in exchange for Meccano parts, then difficult to source in Budapest. I recall that he drove a hard bargain, usually with a result in his favour!
Nick has finally completed his researches and a full compilation so is now able to commence publication of selected items with full constructional details. I have been privileged in having been asked to review the introductory two volumes which I believe to be the first ever private endeavour manuals colourfully presented on quality paper as opposed to Konkoly’s plans. They are destined to benefit both the beginner to the hobby and the long term Meccanoman.
Number 1 commences with an interesting introduction based on a short Konkoly biography. Here we learn that he did not own a Meccano set until aged 40, (No. 5 outfit). Nevertheless during the years thereafter, he constructed in excess of 200 models ranging from mechanisms to some 20 outside the scope of a No. 10 set. In addition he collected Meccano literature, particularly that from China and Russia. Nick explains the somewhat complicated listing that had been adopted for the original plans from which the instruction text has been rewritten. This to save any misunderstandings that might arise from the original quaint English of Andreas (although it was always a good deal better than my Magyar!)
Meccanographs and a Rolling Ball Machine feature in Volume 1 being ahead of the curve of these specialist interests with developed examples appearing at most exhibitions today.
Volume 2 highlights models also original in concept and of particular interest is the Goliath Electric Motor. This languished for several years as a problem being constructed for 110V DC or AC. However, Nick persuaded Pete Wood to redesign it and hence run on 14V DC. Additionally, the Norton Motorcycle (built around a No. 1 Clockwork Motor) with sidecar has been a favourite of mine.
Nick is to be congratulated on a job well done and for ensuring that the name Andreas Konkoly will have its rightful place in Meccano history. No shrinking violet, Andreas would have been delighted in this knowledge.
Although the number of pages in each volume varies, it has been decided to have a fixed price of £10.00/volume plus P&P. That works out at £2.00/model which is considerably less than Andreas was charging for his instructions 25 years ago. They are available through the RMG website (runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk) or by post from the Secretary Pete Wood, 19 Woodside Close, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2DD, UK. Volumes 1 and 2 are available now and Volumes 3 and 4 will be available in March. It is anticipated that at least two volumes will be published every 6–8 weeks over the forthcoming year.