For prospective members regarding area groups.

[simonmoore]

Today i attended my first scalefour area group meeting & before i went tonight i had little knowledge on p4 modeling & a head full of myths. I can honestly say one meeting has benifited me massively. I went to the Cravens area group meeting & all these myths about p4 have been wiped clean. P4 isnt beyond anyone & i watched a fantastic layout operate with most models being rtr models converted to P4.

I recently joined scalefour to better myself & learn, & by joining an area group its boosted my confidence massively, my group are a good friendly bunch & in the space of a couple of hours i have learnt things & realised that p4 is for me & its not something thats a dark art or beyond most.

If you are thinking of having a go at P4 join scalefour & join an area group because you'll find a good group of modellers & you'll start to pick up bits of info right away. You'll also make new friends & do something different rather than sit in front of the tv or internet.

Once you join scalefour have a word with Danny cockling who deals with all these issues or have a look on the list of active modelers or read the blogs & approach the area group members. It's certainly one of the best things i have done. I hope thi is of some use to someone thinking of becoming a member.

Simon.

[Jim Summers]

Thanks for taking the trouble to post this, Simon.
We do like to think the Area Groups are a major strength of P4, and there is plenty help around for anyone feeling like setting one up in their part of the world.

Best wishes,

Jim

[Steve Carter]

Hi Simon

I am really pleased you got so much out of attending an Area Group.

I agree with Jim, Area Group’s are a major strength of the Society, in fact I would go further and say they form part of the Society’s “spine”.

Area Groups differ in their structure and activities. Like all things, Area Group’s are only as good as the support they get from the membership.

So, whether you are a new or established member, I am sure you would benefit from sharing experiences with like minded people and have some fun along the way.

Go on, give your local Area Group a go.

See you all at Scaleforum.

Steve

[Bob Ellis]

It is not just beginners who are enthused and empowered by Area Group meetings. At the Fylde Area Group, we found ourselves discussing this one evening whilst 'playing trains' on Mike Norris's brilliant Preston layout. We don't have a club layout, but those involved in the discussion felt that the Area Group had three overriding benefits.

1. It enables us to share expertise and learn from one another.
2. It renews our enthusiasm on the occasions when we become jaded or apathetic about our modelling (which seems to happen to most of us at one time or another).
3. It provides opportunities to socialise with like-minded anoraks (oops, that should read finescale modellers).

I wonder how many of us would become armchair modellers or drift out of modelling altogether if it were not for the stimulus provided by our Area Groups.

[simonmoore]

Guy's some of the points you have made above are things i couldnt write when i started this post because i get a mental block as it was . You've made some brilliant points their. I was talking to Roger Cox about trying other clubs before & not finding them catering for my needs, the area group did exactly what it said on the tin. I went not knowing much about P4 & came away after chatting & looking at things with confidence in myself to be able to work in P4. Area groups are certainly great in the fact that everyone dabbles in P4 so their is always someone who knows how something works & with a nice relaxed atmosphere was very good & enjoyable. The layouts been in my head most of the day because it was so nicely modeled & with sme interesting features in a moderate space ( a garage ) I've always felt that something that looks prototypical in P4 would need a large amount of space but i was wrong.

I also spoke to a couple of members & managed to purchase some models & materials to give me a much needed boost in P4 which has been great. I have also spoken to a member today about re visiting to see how his layout operates. I am glad i became a member of the scalefour & then i now think if only i had done this the first time round

Simon.

[Steve Carter]

Hope you continue to enjoy modelling P4 Simon.

If you are coming down to Scaleforum this weekend then drop by St Merryn and say hello to the South London Area Group team.

If you’re not venturing south then maybe see you next April at Scalefour North?

Steve

[simonmoore]

No i wont be heading south unfortunately i dont have my own transport so its a tough place to get to. The Cravens area group has been asked to take a layout next year to Scalefour north so i will no doubt be attending in some form even if just to support the team. But hopefully i can attend & help with the layout

I've saved my pannier & prairie from the saleroom so i can convert them to p4 to use on the layouts

Simon.

[Bob Ellis]

It is probably too late for this year, but if you want to attend Scaleforum next year, it may be possible to arrange something with some of the many northern members who go to Leatherhead. Since you have joined the Craven Area Group, you may not be too far from me (although a member of the Fylde Area Group, I live near Hawes in Wensleydale). If so, you would be welcome to travel with me and my friends. Alternatively, some of our West Yorkshire brethren might offer you a lift.

[simonmoore]

I am a little bit further down the road road from you Bob i live in Nelson nr Burnley. I know Hawes well when i go with a friend chasing steam on the Settle & Carlisle route we often pass through Hawes when we head back to Ribblehead.

Simon.

[Paul Willis]

It is probably too late for this year, but if you want to attend Scaleforum next year, it may be possible to arrange something with some of the many northern members who go to Leatherhead. Since you have joined the Craven Area Group, you may not be too far from me (although a member of the Fylde Area Group, I live near Hawes in Wensleydale). If so, you would be welcome to travel with me and my friends. Alternatively, some of our West Yorkshire brethren might offer you a lift.

Also, following the success of the online Advance & Group ticket sales, it's almost certain that the exercise will be repeated next year for Scaleforum 2011.

It's a good was to save a bit of cash and get into the show a few minutes early.

Paul Willis
Marketing Manager

[Bob Ellis]

I am a little bit further down the road road from you Bob i live in Nelson nr Burnley. I know Hawes well when i go with a friend chasing steam on the Settle & Carlisle route we often pass through Hawes when we head back to Ribblehead.

Simon.

I travel through Nelson on my way to pick up my partners in crime near Preston.

[simonmoore]

Well if their is a room sometime maybe i could come along to the fylde group meet aswell i must admit i would love to see the layout of preston

Simon.

[Bob Ellis]

You would be very welcome, Simon, at any of the Fylde meetings. I've sent you a Personal Message about the forthcoming meetings.