Readers and forum members are invited to enter the workshop competition that puts practicality and function ahead of appearance.

Funded by many donations in his memory, the Stevenson Cup was first awarded in 2018 in memory of the late John Stevenson. The cup is engraved “John Stevenson, 1948 – 2017. Remembered by his many friends” with “Awarded for Excellence in Practical and Useful Workshop Equipment” on the plinth.

The John Stevenson Trophy is presented for just that, a well-made and usable piece of tooling, a modification to a machine or an accessory for a tool where the fact it works well is more important than making it look good. Unlike judged trophies, we decided on a different approach to reflect John’s reticence about traditional competitions. After a call for nominations, a small panel of judges selected a shortlist, on which there was an online vote.

Because of the disruptions caused by Covid and the interruptions to exhibitions where we can present the trophy, it has been held bi-annually for the last few years. The most recent winner was Bernard Towers for his well-made and practical indexer. He received the trophy at last year’s Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition.

Once again, the competition is open to all Model Engineers Workshop readers and Model Engineer forum members, who may enter their own work. We encourage entries of items published in MEW but unpublished items can be entered.

A short list will then be prepared by the organisers, so that award of the cup can be judged by a popular vote. Voting will be via a poll on the forum and open to all.

The winner will be announced online and in the magazine.

To enter, send four good photographs of your entry with up to 500 words of description by email to meweditor@mortons.co.uk no later than 22 July 2024.

The rules of the competition can be found on the forum at the link below

Article and rules in full.