‘Ship Shows Retrospective’

This is a retrospective list of ‘Mini-Ship (1/1200 & 1/1250 scale) Shows held in the UK from 1988 (and a few notes on earlier meetings)

(This will be a record, as complete as possible, of the dates & locations of 1/1200 ‘Ship Shows’ in the UK from the first to the present. I am not going to suggest that its going to be complete but it will be as complete as I can make it within reasonable limits …Much of the information is taken from the bi-annual lists issued by Len Jordan, to whom, six years after his death, I offer my complete thanks and admiration, and from the lists issued by Dreadnought Models. There are still gaps which I will attempt to fill. The list is compiled for historical interest only and is ‘without prejudice’. TJH)

‘A’s & A’s’
A number of people have contacted me with some additional information:

Roger Dawson says:‘There were at least 2 (=3)WSE shows during the two summers (in July?), before the Bournmouth Aviation Museum meeting, at Merley House (my wife liked the rococo plastered ceilings there). I also went to one at Southampton Hall of Aviation (1999?) and hardly had time to see the exhibits and I cannot now remember the time of year!

Martin Brown remembers ‘attending a couple of meetings in Bournemouth close to the seafront in the early 90s I think, as well as at least one on Shieldhall’ (1993).

Don Terry queries the date of the first Wellow.

Does anyone know the date of an event at Morley/ Featherstone? (Yorks). It was in the first part of 1995 and was not a success.

There are also the events at Chessington to sort out! – These were events organised by the 1/1200 Model Ship Society – a body of enthusiasts led by Tony James. They published a duplicated magazine called ‘Broadside’ – the editorial ‘committee’ included such names as Martin Brown and Roy Measday, and the issue that is in front of me (Volume 6, issues 2&3) contains articles by Kelvin Holmes & Jeff Stevenson. They held regular meetings and the following notes on the November, 1976 meeting may be of interest: ‘It has now been decided to hold a massive set piece action on the day comprised of fleets from Martin Brown (and family) and Tony James (and family). This is a long standing needle match, each side furnishing 600,000 tons …’.

Martin Brown has commented: A little more info on the Broadside meetings – these were held in Hook commiunity centre near Chessington Surrey( the site is still in use but completely rebuilt a few years ago) They were run there from the early 1970s, I first attended with my Father in 1973.

They were normally bi-monthly, and by 1974 ish were mainly actions organised by myself as Allied fleet commander Vs Tony James as Axis comm. These were almost always WW2 era.  We often had teams of 5-6 per side and played on the floor. My Father Frank took part as did Tony’s son. By the mid 70s attendance was often around the 20s and some came just to view or buy,sell,swop. I can remember the original Skytrex owners selling items as well as David Vanner and myself. Roy Measday sometimes made the long trip up from Wales to take part and swop models. Vic Harman regularly travelled down for the games, stopping with us overnight before travelling back to Lincs. I also remember Jeff Stevenson and Kelvin Holmes  there and one or two others who still collect.

Tony James sometimes did a minibus run from Waterloo station for people without transport.

When the 1200 Model Ship Society faded out in the late 70s the hall was used by the Naval Wargames Society but the emphasis switched to 1:3000 scale and also different eras so I stopped attending.

As has been commented – we did things differently then … were these the occasions when people went through each others sandwich boxes?

1976
28th Nov, 1976 Chessington (See note above regarding these events) Tony James, Martin Brown et al.




1988
Spring/Summer, 1988 RFA Sir Lancelot, Marchwood Courtesy Capt Bill Walker; Terry Holtham
23rd October, 1988 Nash Mills (THE FIRST!) (Nash Mills VH, Hemel Hempstead) Vic Harman, Martin Brown, Roy Measday, Kelvin Holmes

1989
19th March, 1989 Christchurch (Bournemouth) – info via Kelvin Holmes, Mike Costello & Martin Brown ???
22nd October, 1989 Nash Mills Martin Brown, Roy Measday, Kelvin Holmes  

???

1990
17th March, 1990 Theale (First Theale) Len Jordan
21st October, 1990 Theale Len Jordan

1991

17th March, 1991 Theale Len Jordan
20th October, 1991 Theale Len Jordan

1992

29th March, 1992 Theale Len Jordan
12th July, 1992 Welton (First Welton) Tim Hudson
25th October, 1992 Theale Len Jordan

1993
21st March, 1993 Theale – Cancelled – Replaced by: Len Jordan
18th April, 1993 Newbury College Len Jordan
4th July, 1993 SS Shieldhall, Soton
11th July, 1993 Welton Tim Hudson
15th August, 1993 Theale Len Jordan
24th October,1993 Theale – Cancelled – Replaced by: Len Jordan
17th October, 1993 Newbury College Len Jordan

Len Jordan then stopped running shows
17th November, 1993 Bournemouth

1994

xx July, 1994 Welton Tim Hudson
16th October, 1994 Theale Waterline Ship Enthusiasts (WSE)

1995
19th March,1995 Theale WSE
16th July, 1995 Welton Tim Hudson
15th August, 1995Merley House Model Museum, Wimbourne (WSE)
15th October, 1995 Theale WSE

1996

24th March, 1996 Theale (Attended by over 170 people – including visitors from Canada & the Netherlands, who took 1st & 2nd prizes in the raffle) WSE
5th May, 1996SS Shieldhall, Southampton (WSE)
14th July, 1996Mappleborough Green VH, Redditch (WSE)
28th July, 1996 Welton Tim Hudson
1st September, 1996 Merley House Model Museum, Wimbourne WSE
13th October, 1996 Theale WSE

1997
16th March, 1997 Theale WSE
13th July, 1997 Mappleborough Green WSE
27th July, 1997 Welton Tim Hudson
12th October, 1997 Theale WSE

1998

22nd March, 1998 Theale WSE
27th & 28th June, 1998 Southern Militaire, Gosport (Not strictly a ‘ship show’, but a number of collectors attended) (Naval Wargames Society ?)
5th July, 1998 Mappleborough Green WSE
22nd July, 1998 Welton Tim Hudson
11th October, 1998 Theale WSE
6th December, 1998 Wellow WSE

1999

7th February, 1999 Merley WSE
21st March, 1999 Theale WSE
16th May, 1999 Southampton – Hall of Aviation WSE
11th July, 1999 Mappleborough Green WSE
25th July, 1999 Welton Tim Hudson
5th September, 1999 Merley WSE
3rd October, 1999 Theale WSE
5th December, 1999 Wellow WSE

2000
12th March, 2000 Theale WSE
4th June, 2000 Mappleborough Green WSE
24th & 25th June, 2000 Fort Brockhurst, Gosport (Flagship 2000) Naval Wargames Society
30th July, 2000 Welton Tim Hudson
22nd October, 2000 Theale WSE

2001
11th March, 2001 Theale WSE
23rd June, 2001 Fort Brockhurst, Gosport Naval Wargames Society
15th July, 2001 Bournemouth Aviation Museum WSE (?)
29th July, 2001 Welton Tim Hudson
9th September, 2001 Mappleborough Green WSE
21st October, 2001 Theale WSE

2002
24th March, 2002 Theale WSE
12th May 2002 Lyndhurst WSE
29th June, 2002 Fort Brockhurst, Gosport (Naval Wargames Society ?)
14th July, 2002 St. Alban’s Sea Cadet Hall WSE
28th July, 2002 Welton Tim Hudson
8th September, 2002 Ringwood WSE
13th October, 2002 Theale WSE
8th December, 2002 Wellow WSE

2003
16th March, 2003 Theale WSE
11th May, 2003 Wellow WSE
28th June, 2003 Fort Brockhurst, Gosport (Naval Wargames Society ?)
27th July, 2003 Welton Tim Hudson
xx October, 2003 Theale WSE
7th December, 2003 Wellow WSE

2004

14th March, 2004 Theale WSE
18th July, 2004 Theale WSE
25th July, 2004 Welton Tim Hudson
10th October, 2004 Theale WSE
28th November, 2004 Wellow WSE

2005


2005 list not considered fully complete TJH 01/01/2007
13th March, 2005 Theale WSE
10th July, 2005 Theale WSE
31st July, 2005 Welton Tim Hudson
9th October, 2005 Welton Tim Hudson
16th October, 2005 Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0JX Ocean Liner Society
16th October, 2005 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
27th November, 2005 Wellow Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2006

12th March, 2006 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
22nd April, 2006 (Saturday) Portishead Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
29th April, 2006 (Saturday) Newcastle Duncan Robinson
30th April, 2006 Edinburgh Duncan Robinson
14th May, 2006 ‘Explosion’ Lecture Hall, Gosport Alan Hatcher; Dave  Willcocks
16th July, 2006 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
30th July, 2006 Welton Tim Hudson
15th October, 2006 Welton Tim Hudson
21st October, 2006 (Saturday) Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0JX Ocean Liner Society
22nd October, 2006
Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave  Willcocks
12th November, 2006 Cardiff Duncan Robinson
26th November, 2006 Wellow Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
3rd December, 2006 Edinburgh (Cancelled) Duncan Robinson

2007

11th March 2007 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
31st March, 2007 (Saturday) Sheffield Ship Show Duncan Robinson
1st April, 2007 Mappleborough Green Tim Hudson
21st April, 2007 South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
28th April, 2007 Newcastle Duncan Robinson
29th April, 2007 Edinburgh Duncan Robinson

These two events did not take place
13th May, 2007 ‘Explosion’ Lecture Hall, Gosport Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
15th July 2007 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
29th July, 2007 Welton Tim Hudson
30th September, 2007 Tickenham (Bristol) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
14th October, 2007 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
20th October, 2007 (Saturday) Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0JX Ocean Liner Society
21st October, 2007 Welton Tim Hudson
25th November, 2007 Wellow Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2008

16th March, 2008 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
5th April, 2008 (Saturday) Sheffield Ship Show – Advertised – Did not take place? Duncan Robinson
6th April, 2008 Mappleborough Green Tim Hudson
12th April, 2008 South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
11th May, 2008 ‘Explosion’ Lecture Hall, Gosport Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
6th July, 2008 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
27th July, 2008 Welton Tim Hudson
7th September, 2008 Tickenham (Bristol) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
12th October , 2008 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
19th October, 2008 Welton Tim Hudson
25th October, 2008 Ocean Liner Society, London Ocean Liner Society
23rd November, 2008 Wellow Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2009

8th March, 2009 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
5th April, 2009 Welton Tim Hudson
18th April, 2009 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
10th May, 2009 ‘Explosion’ Lecture Hall, Gosport
Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
12th July, 2009 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
26th July, 2009 Welton Tim Hudson
11th October, 2009 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
18th October, 2009 Welton Tim Hudson
24th October, 2009 (Saturday) Ocean Liner Society, London Ocean Liner Society
15th November, 2009 North West Ship Show, Walmer Bridge VH Preston PR4 5GN Neil Kemplay
29th November, 2009 Wellow Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2010
7th March, 2010 Theale Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
28th March, 2010 Welton Tim Hudson
24th April, 2010 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
9th May, 2010 ‘Explosion’ Lecture Hall, Gosport Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
6th June, 2010 North West Ship Show, Preston Neil Kemplay
11th July, 2010 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
25th July, 2010 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
10th October, 2010 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
30th October, 2010 Ocean Liner Society (London) Ocean Liner Society
7th November, 2010 North West Ship Show, Hutton VH, Moor Lane, Hutton, Preston. PR4 5SE (Please note new location) Neil Kemplay
28th November, 2010   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2011
6th March 2011 Theale (Reading)
Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
2nd April, 2011 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
10th April, 2011 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
8th May 2011 Explosion (Portsmouth) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
15th May, 2011 North West Ship Show, Hutton VH, Moor Lane, Hutton, Preston. PR4 5SE Neil Kemplay
10th July, 2011 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
31st July, 2011 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
9th October, 2011 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
Autumn 2011 event will not take place. North West Ship Show, Hutton VH, Moor Lane, Hutton, Preston. PR4 5SE Neil Kemplay
27th November, 2011   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2012
4th March, 2012 Theale (Reading) RG7 5AS Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
14th April, 2012 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
13th May 2012 Explosion (Portsmouth) Gosport PO12 4LE Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
8th July, 2011 Theale (Reading) RG7 5AS Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
29th July, 2012 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
14th October, 2012 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
17th November, 2012 (Saturday) South Coast Ship Show Mainline & Maritime
25th November, 2012   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2013
3rd March, 2013 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
6th April, 2013 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
12th May,2013 Explosion (Portsmouth) Gosport PO12 4LE
Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
14th July, 2013 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
28th July, 2013 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
13th October, 2013 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
16th November, 2013 South Coast Ship Show (Portsmouth) Ian McCall
24th November, 2013   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2014
2nd March, 2014 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
5th April, 2014 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
11th May, 2014 Explosion (Portsmouth) Gosport PO12 4LE Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
6th July, 2014 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
27th July , 2014 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
12th October, 2014 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
15th November, 2014 (Saturday) South Coast Ship Show (Portsmouth) Ian McCall
30th November, 2014   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2015
8th March, 2015 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
18th April, 2015 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead
Bernard McCall
10th May, 2015 Explosion (Portsmouth) Gosport PO12 4LE
Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
13th June, 2015 (Saturday) Scottish Ship Show, Meadowbank Leisure Centre Edinburgh Bernard McCall
19th July, 2015 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
26th July , 2015 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
3rd October, 2015 (Saturday) North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool) Bernard McCall
11th October, 2015 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

14th November, 2015 (Saturday) South Coast Ship Show – Hove (NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION & ORGANISER) Bernard McCall

2016
13th March, 2016 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
9th April, 2016 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
1st May, 2016 Wellow (nr Southampton)
Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
11th June, 2016 (Saturday) Scottish Ship Show, Meadowbank Leisure Centre Edinburgh Bernard McCall
17th July, 2016 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
31st July , 2016 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
10th September, 2016 (Saturday) South East Ship Show, Chatham, ME4 4UH Bernard McCall
1st October, 2016 (Saturday) North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool) Bernard McCall
9th October, 2016 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

27th November, 2016   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks

2017
12th  March, 2017 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
22nd April, 2017 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Portishead Bernard McCall
28th May, 2017   Wellow (nr Southampton) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
24th June, 2017 St James Road Methodist Church Hall, S’ton S15 5HE Ocean Liner Society
16th July, 2016 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
30th July , 2017 Welton (Lincoln) Tim Hudson
2nd September, 2017 (Saturday) Scottish Ship Show, Greenock Bernard McCall
3rd September, 2017 Plumly (Nr Knutsford WA16 0TR) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
30th September, 2017 (Saturday) North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool) Bernard McCall
8th October, 2017 Theale (Reading) Alan Hatcher; Dave Willcocks
26th November, 2017 Wellow (nr Southampton) Dave Willcocks

2018
18th  March, 2018 Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) Dave Willcocks
28th April, 2018 (Saturday) South West Ship Show, Bristol, BS34 7RG (NB not Portishead) Bernard McCall
6th May, 2018   Wellow VH (nr Southampton: SO51 6BR) Dave Willcocks
15th July, 2018 Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) Dave Willcocks
29th July, 2018 Welton (Lincoln) NB New location (Dunholme VH: LN2 3SU) Tim Hudson
29th September, 2018 (Saturday) North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool: L22 1RE) Iain McCall
14th October, 2018 Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) Dave Willcocks
10th November, 2018 Masonic Hall, Southampton, SO14 2DD Ocean Liner Society
25th November, 2018 Wellow VH (nr Southampton: SO51 6BR) Dave Willcocks

This page © Tim Hudson and event organisers

2019
17th March, 2019Theale (Reading:
RG7 5AS)
Dave Willcocks
27th April, 2019 (Saturday)South West Ship Show, Bristol, BS34 7RG (NB not Portishead)Bernard McCall
19th May, 2019Wellow VH (nr Southampton:
SO51 6BR)
Dave Willcocks
25th May, 2019 (Saturday)Kassel (Germany)
7th July, 2019Theale (Reading:
RG7 5AS)
Dave Willcocks
28th July, 2019Welton (Lincoln)
NB New location (Dunholme VH: LN2 3SU)
Tim Hudson
5th October, 2019 (Saturday)North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool: L22 1RE)Bernard McCall
13th October, 2019Theale (Reading:
RG7 5AS)
Dave Willcocks
16th November, 2019Ocean Liner Society (Masonic Hall, Albion Place, Soton, SO14 2DD) (Contact email)
24th November, 2019Wellow VH (nr Southampton:
SO51 6BR)
Dave Willcocks
2020 – The Year of The Pandemic (I)
15th  March, 2020 Theale (Reading:
RG7 5AS)
Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
9th May 2020 (Saturday) South-West Ship Show, Bristol, BS34 7RG (NB not Portishead) POSTPONED UNTIL 20TH SEPTEMBER Bernard McCall
24th May, 2020Wellow VH (nr Southampton: SO51 6BR) Dave Willcocks (02392 352383) (RECHEDULED TO 23rd AUGUST) Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
5th July, 2020Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) (RESCHEDULED TO 9th AUGUST) Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
26th July, 2020Lincoln (This was formerly the Welton event- now in a new location: Dunholme VH: LN2 3SU) (RESCHEDULED TO 4th OCTOBER) Tim Hudson
9th August, 2020Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) (RESCHEDULED FROM 5TH JULY)Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
23rd August 2020Wellow VH (nr Southampton: SO51 6BR)
(RESCHEDULED FROM 24th MAY)
Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
20th September, 2020 (Sunday) South-West Ship Show, Bristol, BS34 7RG (NB not Portishead) (RESCHEDULED FROM 9TH MAY – CANCELLED) Bernard McCall
3rd October, 2020 (Saturday)North-West Ship Show (Old Christ Church, L’pool: L22 1RE) (CANCELLED) Bernard McCall
4th October 2020 (Sunday)Lincoln (This was formerly the Welton event- now in a new location: Faldingworth VH: LN8 3SE) (EVENT RECHEDULED FROM 26th JULY – CANCELLED) Tim Hudson
11th October, 2020 Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) (CANCELLED: EVENT RESCHEDULED TO 6th DECEMBER, 2020)Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
7th November, 2020 (Saturday)Ocean Liner Society (Masonic Hall, Albion Place, Soton, SO14 2DD ) (EVENT RESCHEDULED TO 15th MAY, 2021) (Contact email )
29th November, 2020Wellow VH (nr Southampton: SO51 6BR) (CANCELLED) Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
6th December, 2020 Theale (Reading: RG7 5AS) (EVENT RESCHEDULED FROM 11th OCTOBER, 2020 CANCELLED) Dave Willcocks (02392 352383)
This page © Tim Hudson and event organisers 02/01/2024