Report: W. Britain's fantastic club event held in December

You have to hand it to the staff at W. Britain – they know just how to thank their club members for their continued loyal support through tough times, and yet again held another successful club event on an icy Friday in early December.

Exclusively for W. Britain’s Collectors Club members only, the soiree was held at the Victory Services Club, London, where Britain’s club members could mingle and chat with other like minded collectors and wander round the many displays, viewing first hand the new ranges for 2011. From the American Civil War and Zulu War to the Museum Collection and WWII, there were models from every time and date to see.

I always enjoy these now annual events and although numbers were slightly down due to the appalling weather conditions, many collectors braved the elements and came in their numbers to enjoy a very relaxed evening.

Richard Walker, General Manager, gave a short welcome to visitors with some encouraging words for the future of W. Britain’s figures. Alan Ball, one of its top sculptors, spoke about his work last year and the forthcoming models he has helped to produce. When asked what his favourite piece was, he replied: “It has to be the first Connoisseur range, exquisite figures and definitely my real favourites!”

There were re-enactors there to add to the atmosphere and the sealed bid auction drew some top bids from collectors keen to get their hands on the pre-production figures on offer. Lot 6, the Event Limited Edition Redcoats figure, scored the highest price with the American Civil War 31074 and War Along the Nile 27000 & 27010 also proving popular.

The star of the show for me, however, was the Nile Paddle Boat Cruiser, a truly detailed and impressive model which we will tell you more about in future issues of the Gazette.

I’m sure all those who attended the event would like to join me in thanking Richard, Sam and Sandra for their hard work and we all look forward to next year’s event.

This news story was first published in the February issue of Collectors Gazette. To see which issues of Collectors Gazette are available to buy online, click here.