jans model buildings

Now that is what I call Newport.

2019-04-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Now that's what I call Newport.

Just about to be released, had some copies today, this was a fun book to write. I had forgotten for a time exactly what the 70s and 80s were about, Different to the 60s which were just one whirlwind of working away from home, playing away from home and doing things some of which are most cringworthy !!!
Like Beatle Jackets with no collars and blue jeans that were painted on. These were the days of the Engineers Arms, the Ken Club, and the roller coaster years of Newport County. Written from my personal memories and images, which is scary. Me thinks the hang over is about to return.

Remembering the First War

2018-10-24T15:32:00.001-07:00

Remembering the First War.

This is my tribute to the RAF, 100 years Old. This diorama has been built for good friend in Cornwall and will be on display in her Cornish Candy Shoppe in Fore Street St Ives. It shows a 1918 BI Plane swooping over the cliffs in St Ives Bay I like this one, it has a good feeling about it.

Barry the Wet Island.

2018-01-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

Barry The Wet Island.
Barry Island, so beautifully kiss me quick, but still showing the trappings of a rich Victorian port on the edge of the South Wales coal field. Only the dog walkers test the fine sand today, empty cafes and windy arcades of the glittering kind wont tempt the hibernating day tripper. Wet upon wet, stinging rain blowing in the blisteringly cold wind,
Barry has had a huge transformation since the heady days of the 50s and 60. Rail enthusiasts will know all about Barry, Dai Woodhams , sidings full of rusting childhhood memories, and the Dock, vibrant and noisy. The sandy beach - not another soul will fit even in the smallest of corners, its the annual holiday for the pit men. Train after train arriving form the Valleys, children wide eyed, where do I look first, the sea or the Fairground.? The distant tannoy, "Can Mr and Mrs lost child please collect their child from the lost child office next to the promenade toilets."
The massive scenic railway towering above all else , its brown cladding wearing away slowly over the decades, until it was no more. seen the moment you enter the town or crawl slowly over the causeway. crammed into an antique railway coach with no toilets.
It was a natural progression, the beach, fish and chips, watch the shipping as it waits patiently in Barry roads for the pilot men, to escort them into Cardiff Bristol or Newport. And then the fairground. No matter how full the stomach the sweet decadent aroma of candy floss, burgers and hot dogs, drenched in American mustard and onions charred and unctuous, awaited the child , who clutched their copper coins.
Gosh, should it be the miniature roundabout? No that's for babies so what about the Ghost Train. So scary the spider webs brushing over the cheek bones and the skeletons and vampires. The screams and the low moaning of the spirits, do I really want to go into that dark place that without my big brother or sister. It must be scary , look at those courting couples their faces are very red.!
The slow trek began back to the B&B, to Butlins on the hill and to the station. The Western Welsh omnibuses and coaches warmed their engines, while thirst men broke out the brown ale for the trip home. The smell of steam crossed over the promenade and freshly prepared locomotives backed down off Barry sheds. To Ebbw Vale, to Tredegar to all points north of the flat lands. The heavier locos took the trippers back to the midlands, while we, sun touched and nauseous crammed in another candy cane donated from the corner shop for our annual street outing to Barry Island,

Today the trippers sup tea from their thermos flasks wrapped safely in heated saloon automobiles, only the brave and dog walkers brace the freezing rain.

This year I shall make models that reflect the seasons, the summer rain, the autumnal frosts and the heat of high summer.

Jan's Travel Blog Newport to Truro / Lelant/ St Ives/ Zennor CORNWALL.

2018-01-12T13:54:00.002-08:00

An early morning dash to God's own Country, amidst beautifully thick frosty fog, and fine mists that spread across the windscreen , throwing shattering shafts of watery light, permeating the road salt and screen wash into a perfectly textured canvas of camera ready opportunity. The signature of January , en route to Truro for some much needed reference images, then to Lelant Saltings- rude not to as the tide was covering the sea grass and sending a heady fragrance of salty things in all directions. To St Ives for luncheon, then on to twilight look at Zennor and the delightful Tinners Arms. Thanks to one and only son Jan and to Cookie who's behavior was exemplary . (And she pulled with a spectacular Pyranean Mountain Dog) - so romantic!

As any model maker will tell you, books will only show so much, that special piece of information is always the bit not shown. So it was Truro here I come. I took the Panasonic digi, The Lumix is a brilliant little machine and as a back up I carried my Olympus SLR. The lens on the lumix is great but there is a tendency to show the blues on a cold day so correction was needed. Each trip I make I record the journey through the window of the car. The days when I could do this through an open train window are sadly gone and i dont drive long distance any longer. MY brilliant son is alway happy to accommodate and this allows me to do what I love and that is to record the journey throughout. The car window can be , if used properly, a brilliant viewpoint. I use my camera hand held, I know there are devices to mount on the dashboard, but speed is the essence and one must not be afraid to snatch at an image , rather than miss it. There are of course things to avail and that is heavily tinted window screens. Not worth the bother of all that correction.
The winter is a grand time for photography, the open hills and rolling roads can produce magnificent diorama. So many ideas and inspiration for the artist and model maker. However on this occasion it was Truro railway station. I refuse to use the Americanism TRAIN STATION, it is horrid slang.
I have a forthcoming model to make of the station and I needed reference images as a comparison to how it is now and as it was in steam days. Happily in that delightful part of the world there is still working semaphore signals. Seeing that come off on the Falmouth Branch bay was a joy.

There is still much of the old railway to be seen here, the locos have gone and any storage, sheds etc, but its good and it is Cornwall !!!.

We had an early start, it could have been earlier but I couldn't leave until Charlie was in. This is Charlie, handsome beast isn't he. He does a little picture management for me and he is also a guard cat.

We had it all in the bag by 11.30 so set off again on the A30 heading towards St, Ives. Anyone who knows the St Ives branch line will be aware of Lelant, both the Saltings and Lelant halt. It is an absolute delight at any time of the year and in any weather. The tide was in, though not terribly high. Enough however to cover the landscape with a clean salty freshness which was heady. I am determined to model this setting, on track and the most heavenly scenics ever to be seen. Something about an estuary that just keeps giving.

I have been a regular visitor to St Ives for over 40 years and the reason I love it so much is that it has hardly changed. I suppose there is little scope for change, other that individual shops galleries and restaurants. I still have friends since those heady days of the 60s and now I have new friends and acquaintances all of which are lovely people. The harbour is quite empty at presents, many of the smaller boats are out of the water other than the few working boats, that still land fishy things of the very tasty kind.
St Ives on a cool January Day. The watchers sit in knitted gloves, a street singer performs the works of Andrew Loyd Webber and baby sea birds learn to strut their stuff for pasty crumbs. Dog walkers promenade with poo bags and expensive pampered pooches . This years fashion accessory.

Few boats in the harbour at this time. Waiting for he sun to arrive.

Feasted and rested, the dog Cookie soaked herself in the oncoming waves, I bought the pasties for the home freezer and with an hours light still availible we headed back, but not before taking a short detour along the coast rd to Zennor to see the Tinners Arms. NO booze when driving but worth a look at the beauty of it all. I will write the rest in pictures. Thanks for looking.

And to home .......

Is there no end to It ?

2017-04-18T09:34:00.002-07:00

Is There no End to it!

What a depressing day, yet another election. More sloppy chinned verbiage from megalomaniac control freaks , who’s only interest is their own inflated egos and nightmarish ambitions, and at the expense of everyone else. So today I have decided, I will watch no more news, read no more newspapers, relinquish all interest in politics. I will vote as it’s my duty, but only for a candidate who can provide absolute proof that he or she is on the run from a secure institution.

I intend to watch every known episode of Countryfile, read the complete written works of Avril the Aunt. Listen to as much music as humanly possible, drink copious quantities of anything which is reassuringly expensive, and create “stuff” with paint glue branches stone card and fish.

And finally, if I awake one morning to see a bright orange mushroom cloud on the horizon, I shall sing hippy songs and perhaps re-evaluate my situation.

If any of my dear friends wish to join me it will be known as The Old Fallopian Movement. Membership is free and is for life xxx

Hot Stuff from Asda

2016-07-18T07:46:00.006-07:00

Asda's Hot Stuff

Leaving things a bit late, I ordered my online from Asda as opposed to my preferred Morrisons. I have always loved the wild interpretation and innovative approach to grocery logistics of the Asda back room numpties, so having a glee induced pirouette around the kitchen, I was itching to see my hamper of delights. Would I be scraping yoghurt off my bog roll, or maybe attempting to retrieve the fish fingers , half of which would be still in the depot.
No, this was good, all intact, but sadly not all was present. Yes I could get a refund for the missing sardines, and didn't really know what salad cheese was but I thought I would take a chance and keep them. But , then it came to citrus fruit time, my large oranges were substituted. WIth what I wondered, nice easy peel satsumas or maybe a blood orange with that distinctive flesh colouring. Instead of my loose oranges, I am now the proud owner of RED PEPPERS !!!! I am so happy I could urinate.

The Wynn's Fowler

2016-06-15T15:04:00.001-07:00

The Glebelands Newport c1967

In the 1960s there was an Engineering Exhibition staged I think, by the Newport Model Engineering Society which today still has a narrow gauge railway track operating on club days. The venue was the Glebelands, a large playing and recreational area to be found off the Caerleon Road.
At this time 1967, I was employed by Robert Wynn Heavy Haulage Contractors and used to travel with the Fowler steam locomotive when I could to various venues and steam rallies on the weekends. It was a delight to be allowed to polish and clean the pride of the Wynns fleet. On a number of occasion I was allowed to start the fire in the firebox to quietly raise steam for the event. Another privilege .On this day I was with the Driver Arthur Matthews, his son Harvey, my foreman at the time and head of the "Trailer Gang" and the senior director of the firm Mr H.P. Wynn
Here were three wonderful human beings who's combined knowledge of Steam and the Heavy Haulage industry knew no bounds. Now, nearly 50 years on, I would give the earth to just listen once again and take in the ever flowing river of knowledge and experience they were always happy to share .

The hills are alive to the sound of - MOTORBIKES ??????

2016-06-07T08:00:00.003-07:00

What a splendid weekend, with daughter Jody and familan. To the hills and valleys, to the slate mine to the lush green Llangollen, its watery artery now showing infinitely less rage than when I last saw it, two years ago, in torrential rain, when the unforgiving torrent was so loud and deafening.
Now the distant sound of a Great Western whistle and the faint aroma of oily steam takes the centre stage. A fitting scenario to such unrivalled beauty.
Yet again I ask the question, why would anyone wish to go abroad when dear Britain has it all to offer, in our magnificent Islands.
This was a 40th birthday bash, and much supping dancing and merriment, to the entertaining and effervescent six ton dog, held in the splendid Ruthin Castle Inn.
What a strangely diverse country Wales is. The ever present planted motorway border trees do little to hid the compelling evidence of an industrial landscape past. Though the few remaining industrial enclaves stand proudly above the eye line. "Look at us, you aint got us yet"

The diverse nature of the North Wales landscape ensures that within a few short miles, you will be plunged into the , more contrasting landscape, synonymous with the Celtic culture. Sheer rock faces of crushed slate bleed into lush green valleys, thatched cottages, short terraced stone dwelling perhaps the homes of the lead miner or slate workers.

For my own part, being, according to my new found supping partners a southern softy, I quite like Wales as it was. I revel in dirt and steam, coal, slag heaps and the omnipresent pyramids of colliery waste.

Sunday life was aptly illustrated by the horrendous onslaught of noisy motorbikes, showing little concern or reverence to the ambience of the occasion, and the rest of the world who sleepily soaked up the summer blue haze, peering like the ancient mariner into the distant mists, not really sure what they wanted to see. Which was just as well because they only saw even more noisy motor bikes.

But when all seemed lost to the angels of hell, a spluttering chuffing cavalcade of Vespa scooters, bedecked with hundreds of chrome mirrors and red white and blue Quadrophonic roundels , came over the hill. Shades of Brighton 1965 ? surely not. Happily our age challenged Mods and Rockers now seemed quite content to share their chips in the End of the world car park.

Onwards and upwards, but a recap of some of the memorable architecture I manages to snatch capture from the moving car. Delightful Ruthin and historic Jail, Llangollen, packed with tourists and much welcome money changing hands, and the quiet serene countryside of the English / Welsh borders.

I Think I shall go more often to the wild North.

Tara and thanks for looking ! Love and peace to all of you.

The Garden Workshop

2016-05-06T11:13:00.003-07:00

MY troops have been extra busy this last few days erecting a new 10" x 6" garden shed, which I will turn into part railway workshop and part messy area for resin casting , plaster work, wood work and paint spraying. Well I have done very little towards it being under constant threat of annihilation by my kinder, should I use my left arm (post pacemaker insertion), though I did have a bit of a go today when no one was looking. I am quite exited about the prospect of having somewhere to do the messy stuff away from the house and be able to implement some new (old ) ideas and projects which I have had in waiting for some years. Pictures to come as things progress. Meanwhile, now feeling quite knackered with knees hips and left shoulder about to seize up completely, I thought something good for dinner might be in order and a look at the box for a few hours with a glass of Chivas Regal.
I am really fortunate in having six kindly kinder who shower me with heaven sent goodies and Daughter and Son in Law, Gemma and Daniel, yesterday gave me two steaks of Wild Boar.
I have not eaten Wild Boar since last in Poland so I thought a salad and pop it on the griddle with just some light seasoning of sea salt flakes and black pepper. I made up an interesting little dressing , with diet in mind, of four desert spoons of Fat Free Yoghurt, juice of half a lemon, teaspoon of Cumin powder, small handful of fresh chopped mint a little salt and pepper and finally a teaspoon of runny honey. It was superb! The wild boar wasn't in the least tough and the dressing complimented it all. I would thoroughly recommend shed building to all, you never know where or what you will be eating for dinner until you build a railway workshop.

Home and Dry

2016-05-06T10:53:00.004-07:00

For those who have been following the progress of my latest country church, I can now happily say it has withstood the vigour's of transit and is now at it's new home in the West Country. No matter how hard one tries to protect one's work there is always an elephant with a larger bum than yours waiting to sit on the box. Prompting the Olde English lament, " Some S**T has damaged my model "!!!!
Thankfully this time we won the contest.
My grateful thanks to Steve for allowing me to place these images on my blogsite. He must be complimented on his use of back drop scenery it really is first class.

FInished now

2016-04-28T10:30:00.004-07:00

At last plastering finished new window designed and fitted painted and varnished ready to go. I did have some video footage of the latter part of construction but unfortunately the files were too large and couldn't be uploaded. The window was made by printing an actual image of stained glass onto very thin copy paper. This was then soaked in Mod Podge the wonder glue and sealer. I then sandwiched between two separate pieces of glazing and fitted it behind the window. I thought this was most effective as the paper controls the light the detail is as good as my image and it has a very soft and delicate appearance. My earlier attempts were I admit poor and amateurish, the colours being painted on and far to garish. Still on to the next one now, which will be some old canal side terraces included a back street Pub, the canal and a small stretch of narrow gauge railway line leading to a canal loading yard . This time I shall make sure the footage will upload so I can show you what is going on as it is happening. Thanks.

Rocking and Rollin

2016-04-17T13:55:00.002-07:00

Not much to write tonight, am watching BBC 4, a number of fantastic progs telling the story of rock and roll. Just watched the Bill Haley and the Comets story. What a fantastic period, I am so glad I am a dinosaur and old enough to say Yes I was a alive then and kicking!

The Roaring Twenties

2016-04-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

My good friend and neighbour Jim O'Neil , who has given me immense support with my Heritage work over the years, has come up trumps yet again. Jim never fails to amaze me how he can , without warning, conjure up collections of archive images , whilst I, more often than not plunder the internet and antique shops often to no avail. Here are two super images , of the Paddle Steamer La Marguerite and a motor bus outing to the Doone Valley and Lynton and Lynmouth.
My word, I fear for the lives of those intrepid day trippers circumnavigating the infamous Porlock Hill. The poor driver having to rely on mechanical brakes must have had his foot riveted to the pedal.

I am wondering if the Lady wearing the fruit bowl, sorry hat ! in the centre of the back row, is acting chaperone to the young couple enjoying footsies under the travel blanket.
" My dear Felicity, I don't wish to dither, but pledging my troth I must reconsider, your father is breathing down my neck and its doing my Head In !!!"

Hidden Eyes

2016-04-11T15:56:00.001-07:00

And as I walked through the foggy winding alleyways, the eyes of fishermen lost, followed every footstep I made, over cobbles steeped in ancient folk lore , through low arches and up granite steps. And then as I was aware of the cold sweat pouring down my aching back, I found the safety of the cottage, and realised that I had turned the colour off on Paint Shop Pro and decided to watch the Liverpool V Stoke game instead of any further day dreaming.

1960s Coast Line

2016-04-11T14:47:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I took delivery of around 500 35 mm transparencies of mixed subjects, but all from the early to mid 1960s. They are taken partly in the West Country and there are also many quite pleasant shots of the Scottish Highlands. As expected there is a variety of mixed hues, Agfa, Kodak and Ilford plus some Top Rank and Ferranicolour. It is incredible how the characteristics of old colour stock are the same according to the type of film. The Ilford seems to have kept its colour but has faded overall, while the Agfa stock has a definite Magenta cast which is proving troublesome to remove. This needs to be done before I can add them to the main archive. However as a measure of desperation I have turned the colour off on a small number thus making them Black and White, in addition I have added a soft focus effect to one or two purely as an experiment. I don't agree with image manipulation but as long as the image stays as it was taken I think a softening effect is OK on this occasion.

Getting Plastered

2016-04-11T14:30:00.008-07:00

The time consuming work of plastering the Church Is done and know I can look forward to painting the stone work, releasing those delightful textures , with firstly a light grey base coat and then a mixture of Ochres and the occasional daub of cadmium orange to give that age impression. When I have coloured sufficient individual stones the whole building will have two coats of mat varnish, At that point the windows with their tracery will be fitted, not forgetting the all important stained glass window at the rear.
More Images to come soon.

How sweet you are

2016-04-06T07:24:00.005-07:00

Dear St David’s Clinic,

I thank you for your recent letter, inviting me to attend the clinic, in respect of my recent blood tests for the second part of my diabetic review. I take notice of your comments, “There is no need for alarm.” This pleases me, as, taking into account the time in which you take to answer your telephone, I estimate that I will be able to attend in approximately 50 years’ . At which point I fear, blood sugars will not be an issue, but the question of fertiliser shall.

Yours in sugary bliss

Jan Preece

Fish Supper with Grandma

2016-04-05T13:37:00.001-07:00

On our way back to the charabanc , we stopped at the village fish and chip shop, for our final treat of the day, a fish supper with local Cod, and chips cooked in beef dripping. We found a field overlooking the sea and sat behind an old dry stone wall , to protect us from the stiff sea breeze coming off the water. We ate our meal from the paper, with lashings of salt and vinegar. We emptied the thermos of the last tea and sat enjoying the view while Grandma who was a slow eater finished her supper. It was then with a degree of horror that we realised that she, Grandma, had a portion of mushy peas, which she consumed with gusto. It was a long , long journey home.

Progress at St Anyones

2016-04-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

With the news still ringing in my ears that our local Anglican Church St Stephen's is, going to loose its resident priest, because of dwindling numbers, I am even more pleased to openly admit that I live in a most pleasant time warp and can create my own sacred architecture whenever I wish. Thank you management for this blessing! Here is my latest Country Church building about to receive its stone finish, Two or three layers of 1.5 art board is braced for the wet gooyee onslaught. So here we go, goodbye soft hands for another three months. More pictures when it is finished.

A Doctor De-ath in the making

2016-04-01T08:50:00.003-07:00

So the young doctors of England have been on strike, what a pity some of their colleagues across the border couldn't be persuaded to join them on an indefinite protest.
Why do they allow inexperienced medical personal loose on the unsuspecting public, interfering with a time proven medical treatment plan which works and does not need changing. If they require to flex their intellectual muscles, do it in the lecture hall, do not change a game plan instigated by their seniors and betters because they are incapable of understanding the process.
Rant Over
Please log in at this time tomorrow for the next episode .

Scary Days for the steel men

2016-03-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

Living in South Wales, one cannot help but feel a strong empathy for those ultra skilled men of the Steel Industry. I cant imagine what it must feel like to know, that which you have invested your life in, is about to crumble around your feet. My Grandfather was a steel worker in the works of John Lysaught who's company originated in the heart of the industrial midlands. For nearly forty years he wheeled tons of spent ash from the furnaces, unloading trucks full of coal. Twice he suffered serious injuries but he continued until his retirement in the early 1960s.
The politicians must forget their historical beliefs and show their belief and commitment in those who have given their all to this proud industry. The picture \I have chosen shows a Furnace man from the Barrow Iron Works C1950s

Tuesday 29th Goodbye Easter

2016-03-29T06:22:00.004-07:00

Did it actually make any difference, the spring time clock alteration. Time is something which has been created by someone else so why bother about it. unless the pub is about to close. And apart from that the sun has hardly risen to the occasion, looking out of the window now its black beyond.
So who is the idiot of today ? Yet again its repeat prescription time which is always good for a giggle and an increase in blood pressure. I think I spend at least two whole days per month on the phone, while the pharmacist blames the doctors receptionist for the wrong prescription and like wise says the doctors. "we gave it too them" they protest (I wish someone would!)
Well here we go again!
I am feeling quite spiritual today, 'have been cutting out church windows for a new model. I have now found a superb way to produce the tracery , its called a Silhouette Cameo, a superb pattern cutter in many mediums, ideal for the model maker.

These are the initial trial patterns,they have been cleaned up a lot and are now spot on. There is nothing quite like an Old Church for bringing the mind into perspective and having a good old reflect on where life is taking you. And apart from that old stone and wood is mesmeric , the textures, the smells, it is a wonderful experience. How said that so many are now closing for want of a congregation, even if you don't believe, there is a spiritual dimension that only a complete moron could not fail to notice. Tara !

Todays favourite picture

2016-03-28T04:38:00.001-07:00

Today is Easter Monday or bank holiday Monday, whichever way you want to view it. Its a bit farcical when you think about it, Bank Holiday ? The bills still leave your account so where is the Holiday? What about a consumers holiday, a few days a year when we the long suffering public get a reduction on everything in recognition of all the Crap Service we have to put up with on a daily basis.
Oh well we live in hope.
I had some new images in yesterday for the picture library. They are a set of transparencies which seem to be around the 1960s period and relate to Cornwall and I think Scotland, which are opposite ends of the spectrum. Un fortunately there were no accurate descriptions with them so in though I would open them up to the public and see what you come up with !

2016-03-28T04:35:00.000-07:00

Steak Out

2016-03-25T07:02:00.002-07:00

Why do restaurants always give one of those ridiculous steak knives with a meal - not much good with soup- but seriously, if the steak is cooked properly, why need a serrated knife.
Well now I am going super slim, and joined weight watchers on line here's what I had for lunch.
Fry three dry diced potatoes, in a spray of oil .Add half an onion and a large diced mushroom. A fresh green chilli and a small packet of broccoli spears , just blanched. Fry it until the spuds are tender and add three free range eggs, and cook like an omelette. Sprinkle a tad of parmesan cheese and wop it under the grill with a shake of black pepper and garlic salt. Then go for the big munch.