Stan Bray

I have just read the latest Engineering in Miniature on readily. I was not very impressed with the selection of articles in this edition.

Moving on, there is the sad news of the passing of Stan Bray. He had a good innings (he was a big cricket fan) and he will be missed. I think I met him two or three times at Model Engineer Exhibitions and he was always very friendly.

Stan was a splendid person to know, excellent company, and seemed to have the Midas touch with everything with which he came in contact.

He and his wife, who predeceased him, were champion ballroom dancers.

He was a very competitive cyclist, and cricketer., He was a contributor to, and Assistant Editor of, Model Engineer, (Under the pseudonym of "Bluey" and "Brays Bench" ) and founding Editor of Model Engineers' Workshop, as well writing several books.

He was remarkably fit, (He kept an exercise bike in his lounge, until he went into hospital for the last time.and to the surprise of hospital staff, walked without a stick, right up until the end).

In his his memory, donations were requested to for The Primary Club, a charity which "Enables sports and recreational facilities for the blind and visually impaired".

He was active until going into hospital a week before his death.

Not long ago, he invited members of Peterborough Society of Model Engines to his home to view some of the models that he had made (Ranging from oscillating engines so small that they could be worn as a tie pin, to a 5" Simplex ).

In the last few years his eyesight declined, and getting into the workshop became more difficult, so he brought his small lathe into his study so that he could continue to use it.

It had been his intention to take it to the Garden Railway Show as an exhibit on the PSME stand, with a selection of his railway models, to demonstrate cutting metal.

Sadly, he died a week before the show.

His passing is a loss to Model Engineering, and to PSME where his regular talks were greatly appreciated..

Howard

Thank you for that appreciation Howard. Although I have heard of Stan Bray I never met him and did not know him. Having read your post I wish I had.

Jim

Stan Bray some years ago, with his Rob Roy at the Primrose Valley modellers week which was organised by the hobby magazine company at that time MAP

MichaelR