Doncaster

The Doncaster show is another of those shows that goes in the diary, but I never get motivated to go to.
This year a number of layouts that I like were there, so I thought I would give it a go, especially since I could combine it with a couple of other visits. 

The shuttle bus was packed, and the queues were outside the building, justifying getting a ticket in advance.

Once inside, I was immediately greeted by Phil Parker, whose latest layout was attracting a lot of attention. It always surprises me when someone like Phil remembers me.

It appealed to a lot of people as something they could build themselves, but it was also a big hit with children who were content to just watch the train run by. I guess it is something about large scale narrow gauge that children find charming. 

The main floor was unpleasantly crowded, especially around the sales stands. I suppose that is a good sign, though I'm not sure how much money was changing hands.It also made photography challenging,  although my latest camera, the Fuji X100vi, did quite a good job. Like the Leica, it isn't the obvious choice for this sort of work but it is nowhere near as heavy. I always feel that I buy a lot of cameras, but they all have their uses, and they do all get a lot of use. 

Before the show, some people had noted the lack of a tram layout, but the large diorama of Blackpool was one of the first things I saw. In fact, it is only part of a much larger scene. The buildings were very impressive, especially the base of the tower and Pricebusters, which, growing up in Blackpool, I knew much better as Woolworths.

Richmond was very popular, with a lot of people genuinely struggling to come to grips with it being N gauge, given the level of detail.

The N gauge layouts seemed to be intriguing a lot of people, a sign that the quality was much better than the usual token N gauge layout some exhibition managers book. 

I have always liked Wolfe Lowe, even more so since I've moved to Knotty territory.

Branston & Heighington and Braughing & Standon were both attractive 4mm layouts

I was very taken with Market Bosworth, but again, the crowds got in the way of my photography, so I didn't get a picture.

BSC Orgreave appealed to me as a simple micro layout, and looked very achievable for the average modeller. Whilst not a micro itself I could see how Stern Point might inspire one.

As with N gauge, it was good to see narrow gauge represented by layouts based on a real prototype. Llanfair 1937 is a personal favourite and most of us are familiar with Dduallt

I suppose the layout that I liked the most was the S gauge  Trowland. It was very reminiscent of Butley Mills.

I finished with another long chat to Phil, and Mr Tramfabriek .

I gave up on the catering facilities, again because of the crowds, but I did make a few small purchases for the N gauge projects.

And then I took the short walk to the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum. More to follow on that, but I had no idea how much they have on display.

It is hard to judge a show like this. Obviously it is very popular, and the standard of layouts was high, but somehow it didn't excite me the way Stafford did, Perhaps that is because I already knew a lot of the layouts, but the crowds came into it, complete with BO and backpacks. Leaving photography aside, viewing layouts was difficult, and I had to see most of them from the "wings."  And I do really like to be able to grab some food at a show without it taking a big chunk out of the day, even if it is just a burger from a van.

All Made Here

 As I discovered in my years living and working in central London, we often don't do the touristy things on our doorstep. This year, Issy and I are making a real effort to experience some of the highlights of the Potteries. We've already visited the excellent Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, which is free.

This week we went to even more excellent Middleport Pottery.

Having limited time, we didn't manage to do the heritage tour or visit the nearby associated shops, but we did pre-book the superb Burleigh Factory tour.

Some photos follow, but their website explains the process better than I can. I must admit that before visiting, I didn't understand why they were so proud of using the transfer process. I guess we think of it as as a modern shortcut, but the way they do it here is anything but a shortcut. it was fascinating to see the skilled workers cutting the flat, inked, transfer paper on to the 3D pottery.