MBF North East Area Exhibition
South Shields, 18/05/02 (1/4)

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A Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400, in the new Stagecoach livery by Ken Bartch & Doug Cooper. A Dennis Trident/Duple Metsec, of Stagecoach by Ken Bartch & Doug Cooper. A Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton and a Volvo/Wright, Stagecoach by Ken Bartch & Doug Cooper.
An Optare Solo, with a Plaxton Premiere in the background, belonging to Stagecoach, by Ken Bartch & Doug Cooper. Bob Robson's Bedford SB5/Duple Super Vega, of Gillett Brothers of Quarrington Hill, Co. Durham. Bob Robson's Gilford, belonging to G&B Motor Services (Gillett Brothers) of Quarrington Hill, Co. Durham.
Bob Robson's layout of the Gillett Brothers Garage, at Quarrington Hill, Co. Durham. Paul Ions' Neoplan (OOC) and a Mercedes Minibus (Hongwell Cararama), in the livery of 'Northeast' (Fictional Fleet). Dave Morris' Duple 300 and an Optare Delta, of 'Northeast' (Fictional Fleet).
Paul Ions' Scania/Wright, 'Northeast' (Fictional Fleet), alongside his son, Darren's, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton. Kevin Routledge built this National coach station using several Corgi/Metcalf Victoria kits. Kevin Routledge's Plaxton 3500, belonging to National Express Rapide, alongside a Duple, of National Holidays.

 
Saturday, 18th May saw the first of this year's two annual model exhibitions to be hosted by the MBF North East Area, at the Salvation Army Hall, in South Shields. The venue proved popular with members and the public, last year, and it was decided to use the hall again, to try to become more established in the area. After publicity flyers were distributed around all the local libraries, local bus operators, and a few plugs on BBC Radio Newcastle, the decision paid off, as attendance figures were almost double on the previous year!

North East members rallied round, and with a couple of exhibits from guest areas, staged one of the most successful shows in the area for a long time. The exhibition was complimented by the pleasant surroundings of the hall, and superb refreshments, provided by the Salvation Army. Throughout the day they allowed us to use their large screen to show videos of South Shields, Newcastle and Sunderland Corporation trams, motor and trolleybuses.

The standard of modelling was excellent, as usual, and Captain Ian Kerrison, of the Salvation Army, had great difficulty in deciding but, finally, he awarded 'best display' to Bob Robson with his ever-popular 'Durham Bus Station'. Derek High won 'best model in the show' with his 1:50 scale Duple-bodied Leyland PS1 coach in Economic livery.

After the show was over, we were all treated to tea and cakes by the Salvation Army, which rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable day. Well done to all those who helped make this exhibition the success it was.

The next exhibition hosted by the North East will be held at Linthorpe Community Centre, in MIDDLESBROUGH, on Saturday, 14th September, 2002, and will open to the public from 10:00am.

Neil Mortson, MBF North East Area Secretary


(As was the case last year, Neil Mortson sent me so many good photos of the fine models on display, at South Shields, that I had great difficulty in choosing those to fill the limited space in the Journal! It was heart-wrenching to leave any of them out! The MBF Website affords much more space, so herewith the complete 'album' - which would you have left out? - Ed.)

 


Photos and Text by Neil Mortson