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Maidenhead Static Model Club

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The March 2008 clubnight was the occasion of the Annual General Meeting.  All existing committee members were re-elected unopposed.  After the formal business was completed, members tucked into the refreshments provided and then the chairman had the pleasant duty of presenting the annual awards.



The Harry Gunner Trophy for the winning entry in the 'chop' competition was presented to Derek Boxall (pictured left).


The John Parker Trophy, for the most points awarded for entries into the monthly competitions, was this year awarded to librarian Barbara Simpson (right), keeping the trophy at the same address for a further year.

The Tony Gleave Trophy, presented for outstanding contribution to the club, was awarded to former club secretary Peter Carpenter (pictured left).


The Participation Award for most entries into the monthly competitions was won by toyfair organiser John Garside (right), and membership secretary Alan Simpson (far right) was awarded the runners-up trophy in this category.
Well done to all those featuring in the prizewinners lists, but remember that success only comes with hard work and planning - its not just a question of turning up on the night to collect the trophies - there is much hard work at home to prepare the entries ready for display.

The Anthony Armstrong Trophy was not awarded this year.  This is intended for the member who has contributed most to international friendship and co-operation in the world of toy and model collecting.
NOT SO 'LONE' STARS!
The February 2008 club meeting was the occasion of the annual MSMC Chop and Kit competitions.  The number of entries was a little bit down on previous years, perhaps Paul Rowley was having a rest after his run of successes and sadly we no longer have John Bennett's contributions.  There were only two entries into the 'chop' section and remarkably, without collusion, they were both conversions from Lone Star models.  First prize was awarded to Derek Boxall for his box trailer conversion using a Lone Star Austin tractor cab unit, carrying the logo. of 'Woodley Carriers, Berks'.  The other entry which was of course awarded second prize was entered by Alan Simpson and was another conversion from a Lone Star tractor unit, this one being a short-wheelbase dumper along the lines of the well-known Dinky Euclid.  This model was finished in off-white and black.

The 'kit-built' section of the competition attracted four entries. First prize was awarded to Bill Alexander with a very nicely built and motorised model of a Johnson-designed Midland Railway 'Perseverance'  type 4-4-0 tender locomtive, from a Ratio kit.  Phil Dyer won second prize with his model of a Fordson crawler tractor.  Phil also owns the real thing, as depicted in the picture.  Roy Ellison built the Ford Model T and was awarded third place, and regular entrant Barbara Simpson was 'highly commended' with her 'dressing dolls kit'  which brought back childhood memories.
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FORMER GLORIES - RESTORATION NIGHT AT THE MSMC
The January 2008 club meeting had 'restoration' as the display theme, and once again the commendable expertise of our members was evident in the quality of the entries.  Pity the judges who have to make decisions on the merit of such diverse entries.

First place was awarded to Paul Rowley for his restoration of a fire appliance believed to be of USA origin.  Paul later pointed out some of the novel uses of odd parts to reproduce original features, such as hose reels, etc.  Barbara Simpson gained second place for her restored doll, which she told us had been rescued from a very dirty and almost derelict state.  Third place went to Robert Newson for his restored Tootsietoy Graham "Commercial Tire" van.  Awarded fourth prize was a restored Dinky Toys Mobile Crane Truck, submitted by John Elphick.  Unfortunately we do not seem to have a photograph of this prize-winning model.    

Other notable entries were two restored Dinky Toys, a no.158 Riley Saloon, complete with reproduction box, and a no.30p Studebaker Tanker in the livery of 'National Benzole Mixture'.  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all entrants.
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The club toyfair had an astounding start to the New Year, with the January event extremely well supported by both the traders and public alike.  The attendance was the largest since our anniversary 100th toyfair in 2004.