Re: Why one collects model ships and the future?
Rather than a trip down memory lane,how about a trip round the harbour?My Mum came from Southampton,and we spent a week there most summers.Dad did not want to listen to family gossip,so would take me on the bus to take a boat trip.The earliest a can remember would be about 1950,so I was only a toddler.The town took a pasting during the war,and the area around the docks was largely flat,burned out houses,a few walls and piles of rubble.Grim and spooky,for a kid. The ships I can remember,from the fifties,of course the Queens,Union castles,Andes,Alcantara,(my uncle worked on them),Empire Orwell and so on.Two aunts had emigrated to Gosport,and visits to them meant bus rides to Gosport ferry for a trip round Portsmouth Harbour.Ark Royal Eagle and Vanguard were often there,and I remember in later years Sheffield and Belfast in Reserve.Trips to the Isle of Wight involved Brading,Southsea,Ryde and so on.I preferred the paddlers!A house move in the late fifties meant a model shop that stocked Eaglewall!Information ans photos of ships were not as available then,and models of Exeter,Ajax and Achillies were a revelation.My collection increased as pocket money allowed,with Airfix and Triang helping to build quite a large collection.A house move around 1980 meant that the ships were carefully packed and entrusted to a friend to look after.He took them down the pub and sold the lot.For a couple of years I was model free!Marriage and a new flat left no time to grieve,but an advert in Ships Monthly caught my eye.A gentleman in South Wales sold German made model ships!Who knew?I didn't,but a cheque was soon sent.The ships,British WW1 battleships soon arrived,a long with a list of shows. Over the years my family got to know David and Betty Vanner well,and went to Penarth to visit at least once a year.I'm sorry to say David was taken ill over Christmas,and is stll in hospital.Get well soon!In the 80s and 90s every month there seemed to be a toy fair with a ship stall,and Michael Hayes also took a chunk of my hard earned cash! cant remember when I first attended Theale,seems ages ago.My collection now is overflowing,456 merchant ships and 1841 warships,over half RN.As I started only wanting of RN battleships things have got out of control!The future seems promising,with the new technology looking good.With Theale and Wellow to look forward to this year I am sure to add to the collection.But perhaps only tugs?I am running out of space!Happy collecting,all!
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