'Best' exhibition so far as 1,000 people flock to Lowestoft

The eighth Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition took centre stage at the Energy Skills Centre at the East Coast College in Lowestoft over the weekend of October 28/29.

Kevin Broadbent, John Smith and Barry Lain (Professor Baz) with a Vandograph Generator. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With more than 200 exhibitors and over 1,000 visitors turning out, organisers hailed the success of this year's exhibition as "the best one yet".

Organised by the Halesworth and District Model Engineering Society, Kevin Rackham, exhibition committee chairman, said: "The exhibition went very well and was the best one yet.

"We had over 1,000 visitors enjoying the exhibition over the two days, with well over 200 exhibitors.

The Main Exhibition Hall at LOWMEX 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"This year it was good to see a large increase in the number of children of all ages enjoying the show."

With Daleks, droids from Star Wars, miniature tanks and radio-controlled trucks roaming around inside the college, live steam traction engines and lorries were all in action outside.

Steve Bazire of Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Guage Railway with a 32mm guage replica of Blyth Valley's Lost Railway. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the bridge simulator and flight simulator proving a big draw all weekend, also popular was Malcolm Barker's large working model of a funfair, built from children’s K’Nex.

Mr Rackham added: "On the model engineering side there was the magnificent 1:24 scale BSA gold star bike, a Cornish waterworks pump under construction with about 10,000 of the 15,000 individual bricks having been laid, and four superb Showman’s engines along with miniature fairground organs."

Gipping Valley Model Boat Club with three radio controlled model tanks (one sixth scale) weighing 200-300lbs each. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With clubs from Newmarket, Mildenhall, Norwich and King's Lynn bringing displays, exhibitors from all over the country attended - as far away as Yorkshire and Kent.

Mr Rackham said: "We always have a turn round of exhibitors, so there is always something new for people to see.

"The droids are a new addition and they are a Norwich based group who primarily feature models of characters with light sabres from the Star Wars film."

Special Objectives for the Local Disabled (S.O.L.D) - a local charity which offers disabled people the opportunity to have access to a workshop environment - will be the beneficiary of any proceeds made.

Not to be missed

For one exhibitor, Terry Utting, there was no way he would miss out on being at the exhibition - even though he had his arm in a sling following a fall.

Displaying large model aircraft and engines, Mr Utting set up his display of quarter scale model aircraft on the day before the exhibition - but then tripped and fell after he had left the event and injured his arm and ribs.

Terry Utting with a quarter scale model of 'Spirit of St Louis' which is the only one flying in the UK. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After visiting A&E he was determined not to be admitted to hospital as he wanted to be at the exhibition - and he made it.

Mr Utting, 77, first started model aircraft as a hobby when he was 19 and he displays his large model planes around the UK, while also flying them locally at Pakefield and Ellough.