Would it be a good idea to have copies of Julio's building blog at the boat show? Makes an interesting read and insight into home building Merlin Rockets!

If you are coming in to Euston then take the Victoria line to Finsbury Park, change to the Piccadilly (walk 25 yards for interchange) to Wood Green and get the regular bus service up the hill

This year�??s Dinghy Show at Alexandra Place is fast approaching 1st-2nd March. This year we will have three boats on the stand which include Superfast Jellyfish Simon Blakes Joe Richards Deadline design, Simon Hipkins Keith Callaghan Hazard design and Dave Wades New winder boat. This will be largest stand I think the class has had at the show and there is rumours that there will be the odd Merlin on other stands also. 
Also the up and coming youth element of the class have offered to help on the stand which great support for the class going forward.

Paul Hollis

oop's sorry Keith

I also would like to thank everyone who helped on the stand Olly and Alex were there both days and Harriet Salmon and Maddie Jones did a day each and the Tosh clan were there in force also.
 On behalf of the committee I wish to thank Simon Blake, Simon Hipkin and Dave Wade for not only loaning their boats for the weekend but delivering and collecting them as well.

I�??m sorry we did not get to speak to everyone as the stand was very busy both days but we did try and talk to as many people as possible as my voice is to testament today. Space wise we increased the size of the stand this year to get another boat on the stand and to give us more space between the boats which there was compared to previous years. This came at quite a financial cost to the class as we have to pay the same rates for additional space as the commercial stands around the show so we do  have to compromise a little.

As for 2015 as it�??s our 70th year we speaking to the organisers about having the space to show 7 boats one from each decade to celebrate this milestone. Which may be in the west corridor where there is a lot more space. But we are up against several classes who are lobbying for the same space.

Thanks again to everyone who helped.

Paul Hollis

James where are you based you can use my garage if you like, I can move the cars out for a projects like that..

We drove up from West Wiltshire leaving at 7:30. Took only two hours and as usual there were no traffic holdups and we were directed straight into the car park which had oodles of space. There's even a free bus up the hill for those who aren't energetic enough to walk (or have kids in tow).
Enjoyed the show and meeting up with friends - why did we bump into Luke from Blithfield at every bar stop;-)

Good call Olly.

I have been showing plenty of non merlin sailors that blog and plenty are becoming avid readers. It's a great blog showing modern cost effective building from good design as well as maintaining g the integral history if building in your garage that all great dinghy classes stem from.

A big thanks to our chairman Paul Hollis for co-ordinating the whole event from Friday daytime, through to Sunday evening.  It takes a massive amount of commitment to do that.  In my view the stand looked fantastic, and on Saturday was always very busy.  Our main aim of maintaining/raising the profile of the class at the Dinghy Show was hopefully achieved.

I'm also sorry to hear our new owner of Firestarter didn't get the welcome he was hoping for, I agree with Ian, that he must have been unlucky with the busy-ness of the stand.  Feel free to drop me an email or give me a buzz, with any specific questions, its a beautiful boat and I like to think we're a welcoming class and that you'll enjoy sailing merlins both on the road and at your home club.

Alan3571 - apologies for Nat12's words on our forum.  One of the downsides of having a forum open to all is that we get all sorts.  Sorry to hear the parking issues - I think it was an exceptionally busy year as far as I can make out.  I think the dinghy show is ok for kids if they know a little bit about what's going on (and what they can collect).  My nephews (7 and 9) love it (apart from when their aunt/dad/mum stops to chat - that's pretty boring).

Anyway - thanks to everyone who manned the stand.  Olly Turner certainly did both days, and I think Alex Jones did too but to everyone involved and those who lent their boats to be on the stand.

Fran.

There is generally plenty of parking on the site, but the earlier you get there the closer you will be. It can be quite a walk if you are right down by the exit gates.

I can't beleive you stop to chat Fran!!

Looking forward to it and planning to bring 4 uture champions along too (aged 10, 11, 14 and 15).

Will be driving up with car full of kids... what is the advice on parking?

Getting excited now!  4 kids in tow but sure they will have fun.  If I go to bed early it will be time to go soon!!

What a wasted day!  Having never been to the show before, I was really disappointed.  No Parking, no shuttle buses, no signs in town to give you any idea how to get there etc.  When we finally made it we found it crowded, cramped and lacking in anything to engage the kids; they did the treasure hunt and ate some grub, looked at a few boats and were bored stiff !  Bored kids = unhappy dad who can't sneak off to look at boats and chat to people.
The Merlin stand was interesting and those manning it were helpful but it too felt really cramped and congested.
I may go again, but I won't be taking the kids next time and surely that is what the show should be about?!

All, sorry about my grumble... not aimed at MROA at all.  As I said, the stand was very interesting and the crowd shows the boats are of interest which is great.  Pat, if I had left at 0730 I probably would have made it in 2 hours and parked easily, but I struggle to get all the kids up, fed, watered and into the car that early at the weekend!  My main gripe was the confusion over where to park and where to get the bus, with hungry kids in tow this was bound to taint the whole day!  
I must echo other's congratulations to the team on the stand who were all busy and helpful whenever I passed and I certainly picked up the hand-out with all the events on it on Saturday.  
I'll try it again next year but leave the little ones behind and (as a penance for moaning) will offer to help out if needed on the basis that you shouldn't moan if you're not prepared to help out !!

It's a HAZARDOUS design Paul, not HAZARD. Simon's boat is all wood, very light and stiff, and beautiful too. Good to see that the Jellyfish is coming as well. What a threesome!

I think the Hazardous and Deadline design both look great. Just need to save more pennies to afford a new one. Very tempted with the kit boat just need a garage then I would certainly go for it.

Look forward to seeing both at the show.

Based in Winchester, not going to have time till after June due to a wedding!

???

The postcode on the Ali Pali site under 'how to find us' too me straight to the carpark.

It was a 5 minute walk to the venue even at the speed of my 5 year old who stopped to tread in the mud.

My kids loved the treasure hunt, various quizzes, things they could have a go at and assorted tat given out.  They also enjoyed looking at the boats, admittedly not always the one's I'd look at.

Sounds like you need a big dose of TTFU fellow.

Have my ticket, can anyone suggest best train connections from Chester please i.e. Is it best to go into Euston and get tube out etc.?

Thanks Miles

Thanks Andrew

Great stand at the show. Demonstrated three brilliant variations on modern Merlin's.

Dave Hays new 45mm OD Selden rig was impressive too.

Really nice to meet a few people too.

Well done all those involved in organising it. And enjoy yourselves to all those on their way up today.

I enjoyed it, tho' have been before and it helps to know where to park and how the park and ride works; also no children in tow.

Right, this is how to do it; from the A504 Muswell Hill take Alexandra Palace Way and at the left hand bend turn right (this was signed 'All Parking' in 2014). Follow the road down and bear right (remember this spot, as the transit bus leaves from here) and follow the directions of the blokes in yellow. You may find a space higher up the hill than they direct you to, but the odds are against it. Then walk back and get the transit bus to the entrance steps. Or you can walk the whole way, it's not far but a steep climb which won't suit everyone, and better saved for running precipitately back down after a few drinks at the end of the day!

From the A109 and Wood Green, take South Terrace, then A P Way, continue past the Palace on the right, down the hill and turn left, then as above. There's no parking at the top, it's reserved for exhibitors, boat transporters etc. and in any case it's a long (and chilly) walk the length of the Palace to the entrance.

I would also like to add my thanks to Paul and everyone else who helped out.  I thought it was a cracking weekend with lots of interest in the class as always.  I was indeed helping out both days but even with all the hanging around at the end on Sunday packing boats away, it was a pleasure to be able to get new people interested our brilliant class.

I'm sorry to hear about anyone who didn't think our welcome on the stand was forthcoming.  I for one did my best to welcome all sorts of people who visited the stand including plenty of veteran Merlin sailors (some of whom were blown away to hear that Alan W is not only still sailing but still never far from the front!).  Hopefully you will still be keen to come to some open meetings and see what the class is really all about! :-)

Now to fit all the bits of string I purchased and see you all on the water soon :-)