Euro Militaire model figure and Military show in Folkestone is over a week gone, and we are down to our second to last round of pictures, as well as the info on all the winners – but first I have a story about a special winner I met by chance on that Saturday.
I met a guy called Nick Lloyd from Shropshire near Telford. He was hanging around some of the models in the doorway and looking eager and quite happy with himself. When I enquired as to Nick’s disposition, he informed me that I was standing in front of two of his model kits, in the regular section of models. These models were made by Nick, whom I forgot to mention is still a teenager. The two tanks, a German and a Japanese pair on display, looked to me anything but coming from the hands of a sixteen year old.
It was explained that this was Nick's first year out of the “juniors” competition (for the junior entrants see the pink panther in this gallery below) – and that he was awaiting, just like a lot of other older modellers in the hall – the judges’ decisions eagerly.
Nick had stared modelling at the age of 6, with a little 'Air fix' kit on the coffee table, then more and more as you do, until they were all over the ceiling.
After researching on the Internet, Nick discovered modelling shows, the first one being Sutton Coldfield, 2007, where he won 1st, 2nd and 3rd, as the only junior entry, (sweet)! But this gave him the bug for showing, and he has since been to Cosford, Telford IPMS, Hinkley, South Cheshire and Mere, winning at everyone. Along the way he's meet many wonderful people who have advised him no end. He then joined 'Milli Mod' the following year in 2008.
In the junior class at Folkstone Euro Militaire he won again. in 2009 he got a gold medal and he has been each year since. Nick has been awarded 12 junior medals and this year is his first adult entry and he has a Commended award for this “Herbie” that he made this year for his mother for Mothering Sunday, It's not Nick's normal topic, as he loves the Second World War. It was a kit a stall holder didn't want as it was in a paper bag under the table, so it was aptly named 'Rescue Me’... Not bad for a 16 year old.
This just drives home to me that Modelling is a strong hobby that won’t die out with the rest of us when we get old. A new generation has taken the mantle, and I would like to commend Nick and all of the other modellers like him who are taking up this hobby and moving forward with it so that it continues on long into the future. Great stuff Nick, we will be seeing more of you I am sure!
On to the second to last of the picture features of Euro Militaire 2011– I hope you enjoy the pictures…
