Comments on: Ted Vanner, Model Steamboat Pioneer

By: Rex Stewart

Rex Stewart — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:14:26 +0000

As a prolific builder here in the States, I would try to get as much material on British modelers as possible during my early years. These individuals inspired me and it’s good to read this account of Ted Vanner and his supportive wife Daisy. He truly left a legacy to be admired.

Another modeler whom I had the opportunity to exhibit with was Donald McNarry whom built beautiful miniatures. His skill also encouraged my profession. To both, the glass is raised.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 10:05:06 +0000

!Ah that takes me back to my schooldays! Parmiter’s grammar school was in
Approach Road, just a short walk from the Victoria Park ponds where these magnificent boats sailed and where we often spent our lunch-hours (1944-1949) sculling around. Sadly, I was never there at weekends to see the steamboats, but some sailboats ventured out during our summer lunch hours. It used to cost three pence to hire a boat for an hour. Never was the money better spent.

By: Richard Cleaver

Richard Cleaver — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:30:46 +0000

Given that meat rationing in the UK was yet to end I can’t help but think the ‘trophy’ presented in 1954 looks suspiciously like 1/2 lb of pork chops?

What a gloriously innocent pastime.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:56:20 +0000

I will enjoy forwarding this post to my husband, who always “thinks” he wants to build ship models. We have the makings of dozens of such things in our home — and not ONE of the
models have ever, ever been assembled. Or even taken out of the box. Hmmmm.

I especially enjoyed seeing the garb of all the gents. Regardless of standing knee-deep in water (!?), there they are, wearing pinstripe suits, high collars, hats, proper neckties, etc. Probably a tribute to the significance of the competition, or maybe just a reflection of an earlier age — but nowadays nothing seems to warrant dress-up clothes. How I miss the sight of a man in shirt-and-tie!

Thank you, GA.

By: dar

dar — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 08:47:58 +0000

‘magnifique’ post, TGA! manyThanks ?️

By: Di C

Di C — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:28:59 +0000

Having lived opposite Victoria Park throughout my childhood in the 1950’s, I used to watch those model boats being launched into the boating lake and must have seen Ted and Daisy during that time.
It was a real treat to watch them whilst eating an ice cream served by my mum, who worked in the cafe adjacent to the club house. Happy days and happy memories.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:52:24 +0000

I love the fact that, prior to TV and smartphones, people actually DID things.