MEX Photos for those that stayed home

Nice report, John.

Just for the record, the Royal Chester is by Cherry Hill as well, but now owned by Nicholas Bomford.

It is confusing as loan models are often not exhibited by the maker.

I think the Allchin by Andrew McLeish won the DoE trophy.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 19/09/2016 15:20:39

Thanks Neil, I will amend the post.

John

A good report John and thanks for your words about my "corner"

Wow. what a day!

I actually borrowed a friends child for the day and took him round. He actually seemed to enjoy it which I was mildly surprised at.

I have read a good portion of the comments in this thread.

Yes signposts could be better! I was actually going from one room to the exit and walked into 2 rooms that I hadn't seen yet!

I find the whole "aging demographic" argument very interesting. I respectfully disagree. Younger model engineers call themselves makers. the maker movement is growing nicely and is actually exactly the same thing that many of you have been doing for many years! but Makers and model engineers are separated by the great divide! Its like watching a bad family drama where the 2 factions realise they are related but don't acknowledge each other!

Yes the exhibition could have been better (and I am sure next year it will be) but I had a thoroughly good day. I could have done with seeing RDG or someone similar.

We went to the talk on youngsters in the workshop. I took away a couple of good tid bits. Particularly what was said about younger peoples lack of dexterity. that actually hadn't occurred to me I just assumed it was too many E numbers! If anyone is planning a similar talk, can I respectfully ask for more of that and slightly less of the showing off of the models please! I might even start a thread on this subject.

I didn't know Cherry Hill was there. but that's probably a good thing as I would have just stood there gawping!

I came home about £150 lighter from carbide tips and material but amazingly no tools (again, could have done with RDG....).

I purchased my first ever piece of EN8 and promptly turned it into swarf upon returning home! (good init!!)

Many thanks for a great day out from both of us!

Peter and David

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Thanks, John

A nice 'report' ... and it's good to see the Wellington and the 'great door' too [both spruced-up a little since I saw them last].

MichaelG.

'Backstage' at Brooklands one of the garage scenes contained this little mill which didn't seem to have provision for an overarm (there is a hand drill on the left confusing the picture)

and in the gloom behind an MG there is a lathe but no way of seeing it properly.

I did see an clean and newish ML7 in an in-use workshop and in another display there was a possible Drummond B style with a dummy mechanic stuck in front of it.
A nice little (6ft high) camelback drill is actually accessible in one hall.

So finally if you think the M25 is a problem (free-flowing compared to my normal commute on it at 6.30am) you northerners can avoid it this coming weekend as the St Albans DMES show is on your side of the smoke.

Thanks for the photos Jason. Venue was great combined with the MEX made for abusy day. We were literaly thrown out and still did not see it all. Spent some dosh on things I was after in the first half hour. Best hamburger I have had in years.

OK it was not perfect but as it was a new venue and date I was expecting that. I hope its at the same venue next year and more traders come. Many thanks to Diane, Neil and all those involved setting it up.

Traffic what traffic! Drove up from the New Forest on Sat 8am arrived 9.15am the same on the way back.

Hugh

Newbie here and first ME exhibition also my first visit to brooklands although I only live an hour away, albeit on the wrong side of the Dartford crossing which can be hit and miss sometimes. I sympathise with those people faced with a long trek to get there along with added london traffic but in my opinion there is so much to see that I would be happy to stay a night or 2 at a travelodge or something to avoid a long drive at both ends of the day as I have done in the past.

Overall it was a brilliant day out. Amazing models and many of them, from the mex side and loved brooklands, its my kind of place.

Spent the day alternating between mex and the permanent site exhibits and eventually ran out of time, vowing to go back soon.

I went on Sunday and I think I found most of the mex rooms without trouble, but did have both ME and brooklands maps of the site constantly in my hands!

All the exhibitors I spoke to were very friendly and happy to talk about their hobby with passion even at packing up time at the end of the day. The brooklands volunteers around the site were equally passionate and knowledgeable about the items on show in their area.

From my point of view the Museum and Mex complimented each other very well and even the other half didn't get bored. Somewhere the whole family can go and have a great value day out. A great venue for encouraging young people to get an interest in hobbies or carreers that involve getting their hands dirty.

As far as traders are concerned, if the event is popular the traders will follow and they can only judge whether if it is worth while if the event is held in the same place each year and not chop and change too often. TBH I stopped going to a lot of so called exhibitions because they had become too trade orientated and it felt I was basically paying good money just to go into a sale room with a side attraction of an exhibition!

So yeah, bring on the next one please

Edited By Elick on 23/09/2016 09:31:56