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Cliff's Column
.........................Posting No. 87................June 2010
Dear Friends, worldwide,
Another
six months have passed since my previous list was issued and I have pleasure
in posting onto my website my new half-yearly list of all available stock. All previous lists are rendered out of date,
other than the list of 0-gauge spare parts, which remains current.
This is a 'Consolidation' list, as it brings
together all available stock, comprising that which is left over from the
previous list (published December 2009) and the several supplements which I
issued between December 2009 and May 2010
I am not actively seeking new stock but will acquire whatever comes my
way. Although trying to wind-down my
activities I will keep a 'toe-in-the water' with an occasional list.
Many interesting items have been acquired and sold
'between lists'.
IGeneral Observations
I now attend toyfairs only occasionally as a result
of increased motoring costs and the diminishing returns. Problems with my
eyesight also deter me from travelling un-necessarily (although I remain
quite 'legal' to drive!) .
Within these pages...
Sadly good quality stock is difficult to find, and
when it is acquired it does not remain
available for very long. Many
customers now turn to more modern products for their 0-gauge requirements
(ACE, Corgi-Bassett-Lowke, Darstead etc.)
Several good items of Hornby Dublo were acquired in
the interim period - again, much of it
has been 'snapped up' before it could be published on this list.
A nice array of Tri-ang 'Minic' vehicles has come my
way,and I have three excellent boxed sets of Tri-ang Minic Motoreay
slot-cars.
I have not re-issued the Catalogues page at this time, but will do so over
the course of the summer (July-August period).
Hints and tips
An early response is recommended if any item is of
interest, but you may still find that an item has been sold or reserved prior
to your call or letter.
My stocklist appears on my website, so as customers
can view the contents throughout the 24-hour day I can receive orders soon
after their appearance. If you have
access to the website and prefer to browse through my list in that way please
let me know so that I can save on the postage and photocopying costs.
Get-togethers
The HRCA Thames Valley Group now regularly attracts
80 or more guests each month. Meetings are held on the 2nd. Wednesday of each
month. I also organise occasional
meetings on an ad-hoc basis purely for celebrating the Hornby system. These
will be listed as 'Binns Road meets'.
My own 'Reading Vintage' toyfair continues to
be perhaps THE BEST for vintage toys only. The next event will be our 39th. and will
be held on Sunday 24th. October 2010, with the usual number of over
150 trading tables and many exhibitions already booked. There will be a 'large gauge' (0 or above)
layout as usual, plus all the other exhibitors of Hornby Dublo, Meccano,
Bayko and slot-car. The event is held
at Reading's Rivermead Centre which has good facilities and is about 1 mile
from the railway station. (taxis available, or buses most of the way)
The Big issue.....
Events under the 'Big Southern' masthead continue,
with an evening toyfair at Petersfield (Hants).four times per year and a
special ’trains-only’ event each December in Fleet, Hants. See
the 'News' page for details.
Keeping in touch
I hope to issue page updates from time to time, but
not on a regular basis. Please contact me at any time if I can help you in
your search.
Are you signed up?
I recommend membership of the following
associations/societies to those of appropriate persuasion:
- The Hornby
Railway Collectors' Association (HRCA) (for collectors ........................................................................of
Hornby vintage trains)
- The
Bassett-Lowke Society (BLS)
- The Train
Collectors Society (TCS) (for any make of toy and model train).
- The Bowman
Circle
- The Bayko Collectors' Club
If you would like details of membership please ask
me for a form or the name of the appropriate contact.
Minimum order value
Because of the time involved in packing parcels, I
am obliged to adopt a minimum mail-order value of £10
Please.....
allow time for me to deal with your orders. I employ
no staff and can deal with one thing at one time only!
I try to despatch parcels within a few days of
receipt of order/payment, but please allow up to 21 days before making a
follow-up enquiry. Each premature enquiry tends to slow up the whole
process!
The small print.........
The placing of an order against this list indicates
your agreement with the Terms and Conditions of Sale. If you wish to consult them, a copy will be provided on request. Please make sure that you read and
understand them from time to time.
and finally (before turning the page)
I look forward to hearing from you in response to
this mailing and I hope I may meet many of you over the next few months.
My next list will hopefully be issued at the end of
2010, alhtough a supplement will be issued if new stock warrants it. With every good wish for the remainder of
2010
 Cliff Maddock
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