London Model Engineering Exhibition

[Paul BarrettParticipant @paulbarrett57424]

Just been to the LMEE and i must say for the last time. Took less than an hour to go round. It all seems to be contained in one hall now where as years ago when it was at Earls Court it was on 2 floors with lots going on. l know it relies on clubs and individuals for it’s content but there must be a reason why it’s getting smaller and smaller.

As an aside the Sandown Show is getting better with many more models and trade visiting.

[Paul BarrettParticipant @paulbarrett57424]

[Alan Worland 1Participant @alanworland1]

I went as well, and yes it does seem to be getting smaller – although I managed 6 hours there! and I did manage to get a lot of ‘things’ that I didn’t get at Sandown?

Used to have a long snaking queue to get to the ticket office, but this time I virtually went straight to the office! Don’t know if the snooker had anything to do with it?

 

Alan

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Allowing for breakfast and lunch and some time sitting down I needed at least 6 hours at LMEE due to in part to having given a lift to someone to Sandown. He had got round in 2 hours whereas I would have liked 2 more. Moral: only pair up with people of similar exhibition behaviour to your own.

LMEE seemed to have many more clubs & traders (though some stalwarts missing) but no competition so no ‘center of excellence’ however apart from that when people enthuse about Sandown I wonder if they have ever been to another show.

Greatly disappointed that with heaps of boat models neither show can muster more than a couple of related traders.

The hayday of shows was the ME at Olympiaetc in the 90’s but it has been pointed out on another thread that shows are closely linked with magazines and back then MAP ran the show for their big stable of titles.

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Hi Bazyle,

you are lucky you could afford breakfast and lunch thought I would have to take out a second mortgauge for a coffee, coke and sadwiches (they were very sad)  for both of us when went there a few years ago, grandson and self found it a cold sterile place traders not friendly, very little seating and all taken up with people eating there own jam butties

No sorry we decided to never go there again.

We went to Sandown with our club this year and found it diametrically the opposite

 

Look at the BSMEE web site for a good friendly show with lots of boats as affiliated to a boating club..

 

 

Bob

Edited By Springbok on 22/01/2012 19:58:36

[ronnie barkerParticipant @ronniebarker18785]

i came home with a box full of goodies just a shame it was the wrong box!!

 

jonathan

[Stephen SpiceParticipant @stephenspice48575]

I too was at LMEE and sadly I think for the last time. It’s certainly not the experience that I recall from years ago when there were many more engineering type of models to be seen and things like clocks were in abundance.

As mentioned these were mainly in a seperate area where you could take time and appreciate other peoples work.

I see a problem in that they stopped the individual from exhibiting who wasn’t a club member.

Nowerdays it seems to be mainly for trade stands which of course are very important. And I personally wouln’t go unless I needed to purchase from several of these and saved myself postage costs which covers the cost of going.

Sadly I havn’t been able to compare the LMEE with others.

And what a nightmare it is even with the the show guide to find any particular stand. This doesn’t even show the entrace so that you can get your bearings from a starting point.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

I went to AP for the first time today, Sunday.

I walked around the hall a couple of times, sat down for a sandwich, looked at the time on my mobile, it said 12:30.

I rang the wife up to ask her the time, I thought my phone time had gone wrong and that it was a lot later but no, it was only 12:30.

I looked for the new all singing all dancing competition, where you can keep the trophies permanantly, but failed to find the competition models. Then someone told me the competition had been cancelled.

Luckily, there were quite a few models on the club stands.

I did spot a Trophy but when I asked the girl carrying it, she said it was one that had been returned from another exhibition.

I have some photos to post but it won’t be till the morning.

The snooker did not seem to affect the Model Engineering Exhibition.

 

regards David

 

 

Edited By David Clark 1 on 22/01/2012 20:28:57

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Stephen you want to go to spec savers, right at the bottom of the plan in big bold letters “Main Entrance” and at least each stand had a number and name above it unlike a certain other southern show, don’t think there was even a plan of the trade stands.

 

Ronnie look on the bright side at least someone else went home with a nice hit & miss engine Sorting it out for you.

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 22/01/2012 20:29:20

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Posted by Stephen Spice on 22/01/2012 20:19:45:

I too was at LMEE ………………………………………………

 

And what a nightmare it is even with the the show guide to find any particular stand. This doesn’t even show the entrace so that you can get your bearings from a starting point.

 

Hi Stephen, you must have had a different show guide to me then. The one I have, I picked up from a desplay stand on my way in, and it clearly shows the main entrance, and the rest areas in bold print. All the trade stands and clubs are all listed, and even icons for the toilets and food areas are shown, and all in the centre fold, not bad for a feebie.Quite easy to follow in my opinion.

 

Regards Nick.

[ronnie barkerParticipant @ronniebarker18785]

as to the show, as afew of you said the show guide was very good detailing everything you want to see or need.

 

its a shame there wasnt more models there but its more a show to fill your workshop with goodies.

i went on saturday and the place was full to bursting and they say theres no money about but there was plenty being spent on the stands!

 

thanks jason dont no what i would do without you

 

jonathan

Edited By ronnie barker on 22/01/2012 21:30:53

[Billy MillsParticipant @billymills]

Interestingly different views of the same show! Went Saturday and met Nick looking at Chris’s new parting tool. It was very busy in the morning but quietened off after 2.00 and was nice to walk around by 3.00. Can’t understand how the show is smaller unless the Hall has shrunk- there was not much dead space.

 

Enjoyed the electric flying very much- some clever guys there. Wider variety of traders than December. Like planes as well as trains, trucks ,clocks and boats. Funny that some shows don’t have planes at all. Was a bit spell bound by the flash steam racers! Would have liked to have seen a bit more SMEE space, always a highlight for me. Got SWMBO to taxi me there and back- delux way after years of training.

 

Billy.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Bily there bused to be another row (back to back of trade stands, so the area is the same just less stands and wider isles.

 

J

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Actually the food was cheaper than my local pub, coffee cheaper than my work canteen, and both an absolute bargain compared to the little bits of metal I went home with. (should have nicked the cutlery and hammered it to shape)

True about the lack of clocks, must finish mine for next year. Might need to copy the one on the West London stand (thanks for being there guys) with wooden plates instead of brass so I can afford next year’s lunch.

I hope the people above will still go to shows as a chance to see models, get more tools, and talk to the club stand personnel who are always friendly and put in a lot of work so they can tell you about the things on the stand or just have a chat about the hobby.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Billy, yes, a nice chat with yourself and Chris , very informative too.

 

I spent about six hours there and had no problem filling every minute. Always get a better look at things and take photos when the crowds have gone. My day was allocated to going to the show, including travelling, so there was nothing else spoiling.

 

Bazyle, I don’t know any reason why I should not to go to the shows that I normally go to.

 

Regards Nick

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi DC1,

You were there and didn’t come and say hallo, shame on you You missed at least two novel ideas that were inspired by members of this forum.

chriStephens

[Bob LambParticipant @boblamb44747]

It’s sad to hear people say they are not going to go to Ally Pally again. All these shows depend on getting enough visitors to make it worthwhile and I, for one, would miss it greatly. I am sure it is a strain on the resources of the suppliers to take time out and pay the significant rental for the stands and presumably they will only do it if it is financially viable.

 

I know it is a long way for those upt ‘north to travel down but I think it was definitely worth a visit. 2 or 3 years ago I decided not to go to Sandown again as I thought it was pretty poor with very few people or traders but I did try again this year and enjoyed it – the moral? – don’t be a stick in the mud. There is also a recession which must be taking it’s toll but we all need to support the shows – just remember what happened to Myford.

 

I also ventured north of Watford earlier in the year and thought Leamington was very good – my passport has another 5 years on it and I may even try to get to Harrogate this year – some people seem to think it’s quite good!

 

The impression I get is that Ally Pally is seen by some as the opposition to Sandown. It should be welcomed as an addition. I hope it is able to continue for a long time yet and get as many visitors as possible. (Declaration of interest here – it’s only a thruppeny bus ride away from where I live) Let’s celebrate the shows rather than being negative – I think that in the present climate it is good to support the things you enjoy.

 

Bob

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Chris, I’m afraid DC1 wasn’t the only one. For the slow witted amongst us please wear a hat with a flashing beacon next time.

The boating forum Modelboatmayhem sometimes suggests people make themselves a forum logo badge for mutual recognition and most people from there now know to congregate at Steamboatphil’s stand. (the one with the flash steam straight runners)

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Chris

SMEE was busy while I was there.

regards David

 

 

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Bazyle,

Without any false modesty, I have to say that I am probably the most easily recognized, stand-out-in-a-crowd person at the show, as any who know me will most likely agree, so a flashing beacon would be obsolete.

 

David, could it be that there was something worth seeing on the SMEE stand that caused it to be busy? Had you come up to the stand, with or without you wearing your editors hat, I would have run through the things for you. I certainly would have let you jump the queue. Maybe next time?

chriStephens

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Chris

I would not have expected to jump the queue.

The SMEE stand was I think busy because there were so few SMEE members compared with Sandown.

The three or four SMEE members were busy with about 8 or so visitors.

regards David

 

 

Edited By David Clark 1 on 23/01/2012 15:01:44

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Wow – for me to attend a show like you Londoners have, I have to either fly trans-atlantic, or, do a 9 hour each-way drive to attend the show in York, PA, USA. (assuming roads are clear of snow)

 

Be glad for what you have!

 

Another JohnS

[alan frostParticipant @alanfrost17805]

Well said ,John. I left the exhibition at about 4.30, having had a good 5 hours worth. As I could n’t find Ronnie Sullivan to win a few bob, I drove straight home arriving at about 12.15 in Stirling. Even Harrogate is a fair old trip.

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi David,

There were always at least three members on the lathe end of the stand and between 3-6 on the rest of the stand, but yes you had many more at Sandown.

Despite the numbers of “blue coats” being less than Sandown, I tend to think that the stand was busy because we had plenty of things to interest the public.

chriStephens

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Well that explains the crowd at that part of the stand then, 2 deep when I went by.

What we need is a special feature on here at end of day 1 to say what not to miss. Same with Sandown I didn’t read the show thread until after I came back. Doh.

Next one Bristol?

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