INTERNATIONAL MODEL BOAT SHOW WARWICKSHIRE
EXHIBITION CENTRE
Once again the
SWA have attended the Warwick Show and it was agreed by all who were there, it
was a great success. 14 members helped to man the stand and produced 33
excellent models to exhibit. Once again the SWA showed the public a large
selection of models of naval vessels, from landing craft to right up to the
largest battle ship ever
built, the Japanese "Yamato". We also had a 2.5 meter model of
"HMS Illustrious". As with the rest of our exhibits, these two models
were of the highest quality and a
credit to their modellers.
The Shows
Organisers were very impressed with the entire quality of the models on the
stand and the amount of work and enthusiasm the SWA personnel put in to staff the stand. They also appreciated our member's
positive inter-reaction with the general public. Twice each day the SWA gave a
demonstration of different naval craft on the indoor pool and Malcolm Wilson gave an excellent
commentary over the P.A. system describing
all the different craft.
On both
Saturday and Sunday during the show, the pool is reserved between 12 noon and 2 pm for children to try their hand at
running an R/C model. This year both the Droitwich
Model Boat Club and the SWA shared this task. Our thanks to
both Malcolm and his Son Jordon for helping to run this exercise. Also our thanks to Eastleigh
Model Boat Club for them lending Malcolm, their 6 demonstration models.
Again this
year we were asked to take part in the Remembrance Service at 1 lam. The SWA
were asked to be on the pool at 10-45am and form our models in a slow circle. At 1 lam the Exhibition Authorities P.A. system
is hooked up to the Cenotaph Service on the BBC and we were to stop all the
models at the sound of Big Ben striking 1 lam. The whole room then stood quietly for the 2 minutes
silence in honour of the fallen.. Then at the last
note of the Last Post coming over the P. A. system the models continued to
proceed round the pool and the hall came back to life. This is becoming a
memorable and moving ceremony at the show which the SWA are proud to take part
in each year. We hope to continue to carry out this act of homage.
We end the
write up with and act of Deja vu. As the same as last
year, our stand has won the 2nd
prize for best in show. We were piped at the post by "Lifeboat Enthusiasts" who won 1st place
again. Let's hope we will be 3rd time lucky but in the number one spot. Finally our thanks to all the
SWA members present, for their hard earned efforts, for putting on such an
excellent show again this year.
Barry Chapman