London Model Engineering exhibition at Alexandra Palace

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

London Model Engineering exhibition at Alexandra Palace, Does anyone know if it is likely to be on in 2024?

Last one was in 2020 just before the pandemic, not been one since.

Or alternatively one in the South East that has a bias towards model engineering.

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

Does anyone know if it is likely to be on in 2024?

[Meridienne Exhibitions 1Participant @meridienneexhibitions1]

Sadly we have no plans for a 2024 London Model Engineering Exhibition.

The sister show which is the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition takes place from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th October in Leamington Spa.

See http://www.midlandsmodelengineering.co.uk for more information.

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

I am aware of that exhibition. Is there a reason for abandoning the whole of the south east?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Most traders were finding it hard to cover their costs so harder to fill a more expensive venue than one the organisers already own. Would be even higher costs for exhibitors/traders now what with fuel prices and ULEZ

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

It is noticeable, and judging by conversations with other model-engineers, I am not the only one to have noticed that the larger traders are finding it more and more difficult to attend any exhibitions.

I'm guessing it's the best part of two weeks hard work for them, with the preparations and the post-show re-stocking; on top of the transport and accommodation, and now the congestion or low-emission fees being imposed in many cities.

It may well be easier for the smaller traders with fewer staff, smaller stands and less heavy goods to display; but I was surprised to see Reeves at Taunton MES' club exhibition several years ago. Their full show stand would have hogged the hall, in a school, but a single table with back-boards and two carousels of small items, was enough to show they exist, and to allow them to take orders for goods not physically there.

I think the snooker matches are still on at Alexandra Palace on what used to be also "our" weekend, and I do hope the venue can continue especially as it had re-furbished the theatre only a year or so before the pandemic; but I also wonder just how many cultural events London and other cities will lose.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Hold it in a town where there is no emission zone, there must be some in the southeast with large halls or racecourses?

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

Posted by bernard towers on 27/09/2023 14:57:57:

Hold it in a town where there is no emission zone, there must be some in the southeast with large halls or racecourses?

Model Engineer Magazine used to hold their annual exhibition at Epsom races before moving to Brooklands and then stopping altogether. I quite liked that as a venue.

Not quite sure why Brighton Model World stopped at the exhibition centre there.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

ME used to be at Wembly and Ally Pally long before that. (Sandown & Ascot not Epsom more recently)

People wanting the bargain basement goods direct from the far east does not help the traders either so if you don't support them you loose them and shows.

Edited By JasonB on 27/09/2023 15:24:37

[egaParticipant @ega]

Wasn't the MEX formerly held at the Agricultural Halls in Victoria?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

So I'm told

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Jason,

Quite correct, I used to go there, underground train to 55 The Broadway (London Underground HQ in those days)

Nice venue. Before that it was north of Oxford Street.

K

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

It's not just Engineering exhibitions that are woefully short/absent here in the south, but Woodworking shows too. In fact, it seems that anything vaguely practical seems to have suffered the same fate.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Posted by JasonB on 27/09/2023 15:23:48:

ME used to be at Wembly and Ally Pally long before that. (Sandown & Ascot not Epsom more recently)

People wanting the bargain basement goods direct from the far east does not help the traders either so if you don't support them you loose them and shows.

Edited By JasonB on 27/09/2023 15:24:37

Unless the shows are spread out a bit more then what do they expect I find that what I would save from having to travel the distance to a show I can spend online to buy goods, I am sure that I am not the only one.

I should add that it is catch22

The only thing that I would miss out on is seeing some of the exhibits

Edited By Dalboy on 27/09/2023 17:37:40

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Having watched the stalls at the ally pally the last 3 or4 years it was on it was obvious that traders were struggling to justify the time out and the costs, fuel accomodation Etc and in 2019 I commented that once the emissions charge came in that would be the straw that broke the beast ! Fuel and ULEZ have proved my prophesy ! It would have to be outside the M25 and avoid the city and Thames crossing. ME gave tickets away for Sandown park, It took me half the day to get there, missed a large part of the show due to poor signage and half the night to get home – NEVER again !

At least the Midland is fairly central !

How about Reading ?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Do you all go to shows just to buy something?

[Brian Baker 2Participant @brianbaker2]

Greetings Noel, you might have mentioned the excellent show put on by Halesworth and District M E Society, LOMEX, in Lowestoft, October 28 & 29th.

This an excellent show, loads of models of all types and well worth a visit.

More details on the society's website.

A lot nearer for many people than Reading.

Regards

Brian B

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Posted by ega on 27/09/2023 17:00:44:

Wasn't the MEX formerly held at the Agricultural Halls in Victoria?

The first one I ever went to was at the Seymour Hall in the early 1970s, just a lad in those days.

Mike

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

I seem to remember it being held at the Royal horticultural society halls in London, that was about fifty years ago, the one thing that sticks in my mind was that it was packed, you couldn’t move for people. I remember purchasing a rotary table, cost me fifty quid, it was a six inch diameter Criterion brand.

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

I remember Seymour Halls, they used to run the boats in the swimming pool if I remember right and I bought some copper tube for my Juliet from Kennions there.

Ally Pally was a tortuous journey for me by train (and the train is expensive), with the free parking driving was a doddle at the right time of day but I would think twice now having to pay the emissions charge. Midlands show is a fair step for me and last time I went, probably 2018 I thought it had gone downhill, the larger trade stands already starting to cry off and there didn’t seem to be many new or different models.

Personally I think the future is probably small events organised by individual clubs, if indeed clubs manage to carry on, our own seems to be in decline, as older members pass on there doesn’t seem to be younger people joining at the same rate!

Paul.

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

Interesting discussions.

Do people like going to exhibitions and if so, what would an organiser have to organise to get you to go?

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Posted by Mike Poole on 27/09/2023 18:26:17:

The first one I ever went to was at the Seymour Hall in the early 1970s, just a lad in those days.

Mike

Likewise. late '60s onwards. Spoke to Prof Chaddock about his wonderful gas turbine there. Lovely chap .

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

St Albans MES had a good show last weekend Last weekend ins September so remember it for next year, Free parking. Ok not the usual ME traders but lots of boats and Meccano too.

I recall the peak of shows was the ones at Olympia, the last ones to include significant model aieoplanes as well but the last got a lot of whingers complaining that shock horror there were a few dolls houses and a big Alien model at the entrance.

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Posted by Benedict White on 27/09/2023 19:58:38:

Interesting discussions.

Do people like going to exhibitions and if so, what would an organiser have to organise to get you to go?

For me, needs to be easy to get too, ie not in the centre of a densely populated area with the associated traffic. Needs either ample parking adjacent or be on a reliable public transport route (is there such a thing these days….). Entrance fee needs to be reasonable / proportionate to what is there to see, arbitrarily say £10. Catering, if it’s a decent show and there is enough to hold your interest for more than a couple of hours then somewhere to get a reasonably priced bacon roll, sandwich or cup of tea / coffee. It really irks me when a bite and a drink costs more than a tenner!! Given most model engineers are of advancing years, plenty of seating around the place to be able to stop, take stock and watch the world is a good thing.

Exibits; I fully appreciate the skill and patience to produce a “gold medal” exhibit and I enjoy seeing what has been achieved however they all look a bit glass case, sterile if you like with no oil stains, coal dust in the bunker or on the footplate. So I equally like to see the more knocked about examples that you can see do a job of work, that might have a few file marks on the rods rather than a polished mirror finish indicting the builder was a mere mortal! In terms of types of model I am happy to see loco’s, traction engines, machine tools, machining fixtures, stationary engines, boat / ship models, planes, dioramas etc. clocks don’t really float my boat but I can appreciate the work in them and can happily watch the wheels go round for a few minutes.

Demonstrations; Having had Mr Shelley attend our cub and do a foundary demo, if there is a suitable outside area that would be good. A portable track so you can see loco’s in action and traction engines running. A lasting memory was seeing a diesel roller running at Midlands show a few years back, OK you could have seen it on a table inside, but to see it running was something else. Machining demo’s are another interesting thing. One thing I have never seen is a brush painting demo, that would be good. Lectures – may also be interesting although I confess I have never attended one during a show, possibly because the programme was not well circulated in advance and I didn’t know what was on until I got there!

Trade stands; Appreciate this is a difficult issue for traders with costs etc. However while I like to see the exhibits I also like to get “up close and personal” with tooling and supplies, the interweb may be great with fast deliveries etc but when you are looking for something to solve a problem there is no substitute for actually being able to see the goods. I don’t think I have ever been to a show where I have not purchased anything from a trader, I guess my average spend up to 2019 was around £100 across various suppliers. I used to go with a list and collect what I could and always bought something that wasn’t on it, because I had seen it! Show deals even if they were not great discounts were always a good deal when considering the postage and packing charges saved. This was one way to justify to myself why it was a good idea to drive for four or five hours to go to the event in the first place! You get to see what others are doing, meet up with people you haven’t seen for a while and as a bonus go home with some new toys and renewed enthusiasm.

So there you go, fancy organising something in the South.

Paul.

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

Posted by Paul Kemp on 27/09/2023 21:44:31:

Posted by Benedict White on 27/09/2023 19:58:38:

Interesting discussions.

Do people like going to exhibitions and if so, what would an organiser have to organise to get you to go?

So there you go, fancy organising something in the South.

Paul.

Not really. But unless some club or clubs do there isn't going to be one. Many thanks for the answers. Interesting how far you are prepared to drive.

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