0809Ruth
I am a Journalism student at Sunderland University. I have a passion for Tea as an Northerner & all news in general.
In my spare time I am a local music journalists :
Search 'Wear On The Pulse' & see my site or Facebook page !
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One man’s love for model yachts and boats
Alan Thompson, 72, has been a member of The South Shields Model Yacht club for 46 years. Now Chairman of the club he tells me, with great pride in his voice, the club first established in 1886 is the oldest boat club in England.
With his green checked flat cap, the tip of it just sitting on top of his wide rimmed glasses, Alan leaned back against his locker. His hardy hands clasped, patiently, waiting for the heating to kick in and the arrival of the other club members.
Soon enough the club fills up and the kettle is boiled he begins to chat while warming up with a cup of tea and biscuit.
“During the war my father was part of the reserved occupation. In which he was a air raid precautions warden. With the spare firewood he would carve model aeroplanes, and they were hung up as identification models. I think that’s what started me off.”
He paused for thought. A few seconds later he walks me over to the clubs notice board, with various photographs scattered around it.
Pointing to a photograph of himself, as a younger man, he told me “When I was out of work I came to the park from something to do. I got talking to two guys sailing yachts and one got a yacht for me to sail and it just started from there.”
A few more members arrive late and he goes over to say good morning to them, leaving me to look round the club.The modern exterior was a world away from the room I stood in. It was cluttered with oil bottles, numerous tools and model magazines on all the surface tops. The tea and coffee’s stand alone on a clear table with the kettle on a constant boil. Battered locker lined the walls floor to ceiling, each with a name and date on each.
Having seen my interest in the lockers in front of me Alan leaves his friends to show me his three lockers. “I have eleven boats and yachts”: he stated as he opened the first locker. As soon as the door swung open the smell of gloss paint & oil fills the air – I was taken back. Yet it did not seem to bother him and he continues to talk about his models.
“My first model yacht was called Vim. But after a car crash I broke my ankles and so I couldn’t run to catch them. So I took on steam powered model boats, and what’s called steam running”.
As he said this he pointed out a large silver, red hull steamboat. Fully embellished with machine guns and plane deck, “This I suppose is my favourite boat, the HMS Newcastle, but I also admire other boats”
Turning round to show me another photograph near the notice board he added, “This is a model jet powered model of the blue bird and my friend has a scale model version I admire.”
As he dust his boats over I notice a certificate stating ‘Mr Thompson 1st place in
Straight running’. He catches my eye and said, “I was national champion five times competing at Birmingham, at Bornville lake.”
Taking a few minutes to reflect he continues, “ But probably the most memorable of my competitions was my first national. When I scored 89 out of a possible 90.”
It is clear from the way his eyes light up when explaining his near perfect score and from the regret shown on his face through his low brow, from not getting full marks, that That this man was a passionate about his hobby.
Suddenly I realise he had been tapping his feet, when a friend of his asked him why he was tap dancing. I was amused when he replied, “I never tap dance in case I fall into the sink.”
He moves back to talk about the club answering my question of how he felt about it after all these year’s, “Well I must have missed about 10 Sundays in my 46years of beign part of the club. I think that tells you how I feel.” As the club is only on a Sunday this is true dedication to any hobby.
Soon it is clear that I am losing his attention, “Ernie your wiring is like a ball of knitting” he shouts.
Then adds “The amazing thing is in our club we don’t have any engineers, yet there’s always someone who is able to put their two pence in.”
As he helps with Ernie’s wire problem, watching him work it is clear he is still as passionate about the world of model Boats and yachts. His age doesn’t show as he acts as chairman and keeps the club running as it would have done in 1866.
Links:
For more on the club click HERE
For video footage of one of the steam boats click HERE
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The Vaccines Newcastle 02 Academy 21.11.11
After a long but worth while wait, due to a power-cut, the Vaccines walk on the stage appearing as shadows at first in the backdrop of blue lights. Yet their presence on stage ignites a energy more powerful than the lights around them.
As the first few chords of ‘Blow it up’ are heard the crowd is ecstatic a state which is maintained throughout the gig. For both the vaccines and the crowd seem to feed off one another’s energy; as mosh pits arise and everyone is ether dancing or clapping to the their toe tapping tunes.
All to soon it is the encore. Ending the set on a high with ‘Norgaard’ I am left there realising I had just seen the best gig of my year. The sooner the vaccines come back with a new record to take on tour the better.
