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SWING
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SWING
Past Exhibitions
2009
Our first exhibition was held at St Wilfrid's Church in Bognor Regis in April 2009. It featured 12 high quality layouts in a wiode range of scales and gauges. We had support from 5 traders, a couple of whom have since become regulars. We were able to make a donation to both L'Arche and the Barnham Signal Box appeal from the proceeds. You can find information about both of these from our Links page.
We have received a number of complementary remarks particularly in regard to the quality of the layouts. Visitors enjoyed the show often finding it surpassed their expectations. There was a good trade presence and they also found the day worth their while. Similarly, the all important visitors were appreciative of our efforts.
You can find some pictures from the exhibition in our gallery here.
2010
Held again at St Wilfrid's but set back slightly to 1st May, we had 11 high quality layouts following the Industrial and Narrow Gauge theme in a number of scales.
There was, as usual, anticipate excellent trade support as at our first exhibition together with society and local railway related organisations.
Refreshments were available and the Hall was suitable for disabled access.
We were extremely saddened to advise that one of our groups key members, John Hayward, passed away on Sunday 12th February. Despite severe health problems he remained an active modeller, served as the host for many South Downs Area Group meetings and was the inspiration behind that group's successful "SWING" exhibitions. This was far from the only area of activity for a man who lived life to the full. He will be greatly missed. You can learn more about his life and his many achievements here.
In his memory we decided that a "Best Layout of show" award would be made entitled the "John Hayward Shield". At this, its first show it was won, despite stiff opposition, by Keith Smith's superb rendition of the Selsey Tramway.
We were again able to make a donation towards L'Arche from the proceeds.
You can find some pictures from the exhibition in our gallery here.
2011
This year saw us move to a new venue. St. Mary's Centre in Felpham remained accessible but gave us greater space together with better car parking. We also moved even further into May in a partially successful attempt to avoid clashing with other shows. The extra space was used to create more space for visitors rather than more stands, thus addressing the only minor criticism we had achieved in the past.
There were 12 layouts of the usual high quality and trade support included, for the first time, Squires and Smallbrook Studios together with our regulars.
The John Hayward Shield was again up for grabs, and was joined by The Ernie House Trophy. Earlier this year we sadly lost yet another long-standing member, Ernie House, also the owner and builder of a lovely little 7 mm narrow gauge layout called “Little Bognor”. This trophy will be awarded to the layout adjudged the best by the “experts”, the other exhibitors and traders.
On this occasion, in another close run race, both awards were won by a superb model of the Corris Railway in 009.
We changed charities this year. As one of our members is partially sighted we agreed that we would support 4Sight, a charity dedicated to supporting the blind and partially sighted in Sussex.
You can find some pictures from the exhibition in our gallery here.