Summer Retreat 2023

 

 

Summer Retreat  –  Sunday 30th July – Saturday 5th August

 

What is the Summer Retreat?

48447288847_fe6f291cc3_oThe Summer Retreat offers an opportunity for existing modellers to learn and improve their skills in a supportive, enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere where you can work at your own pace on the project(s) of your choice.  

Unlike our Modelling Weekends, where the accent is mainly on learning new modelling skills, the focus is on hands-on modelling and making progress, in a way that’s rarely possible at home. See the item “Weathering Tutor Chris Hopper’s layout on the cover of Railway Modeller” in our news section for a description of how Chris used his time at a previous Summer Retreat to progress his layout.

The Summer Retreat is not a tutored course in the way that our weekend courses run, but is a golden opportunity to work on your own projects. We aim to have a few of our regular tutors  on hand to offer advice and support, and a wealth of practical experience is available for you to draw on.  This summer we will have Tony Gee available for the entire week and Tim Watson and Jerry Clifford for part of the week each. 

The expertise of your fellow modellers forms another valuable resource while a small amount of our airbrushing equipment will be available throughout your stay for you to use if needed.

xx11We always have either an external event or a speaker come in mid-week, this year we will be welcoming Giles Favell who will be talking about how he uses radio control on his model railways.  Giles is well known for his use of radio controlled vehicles that he produces in both 7mm and 4mm, he also uses radio control for some of his rail vehicles and has recently had a book published by Wild Swan on the subject. Gile will also be joining us as a tutor at your Autumn weekend.

 

Who is the course for?

The Retreat is not aimed at the outright beginner but if you have skills but lack knowledge or want to put theory into practice the Summer Retreat may be for you. The modelling emphasis is on the learning of new skills or development of existing ones, but gauge or scale is irrelevant and the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Each year we welcome loco-builders and scenic modellers, painters and weatherers, tracklayers and electronics people.

How does it work?

You’ll have your own workspace and your own agenda. Some people have wired up their layouts, some have built entire landscapes. Others have worked on a variety of projects – the choice is entirely yours. Our goal is to enable you to take home a project that not only works reliably, but may be well on the way to completion. 

What do I need to do before the course?

It is important you have an idea of what you will do before you book and that you plan what you want to do and have the tools, materials and resources you need. You’ll be contacted shortly before the event so we can finalise how we use the facilities and space we have. 

Where is it held?

48402138411_96d422c3a9_oMissenden Abbey provides high-quality accommodation and classroom and studio facilities and a wide variety of excellent modeller friendly food, a bar and peaceful gardens. If you live close at hand, you can join the Summer retreat at reduced rates as a non-resident. Partners are welcome to stay at the Abbey for a break and possibly enjoy some of the attractions the local area offers. Great Missenden is just off the A413 between Amersham and Aylesbury, amongst the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire. It is about 30 miles from central London – an hour by car and 40 minutes by rail from Marylebone Station.  

If you have not attended a Missenden event before, you may find it more suitable to come to a weekend event first. If you have any doubts then please make use of the Contact Form to check before booking.

For details on price and how to book, see the Booking page.

And finally…

If you have questions or concerns, please use the Contact Us page before booking.