Euro Memories - what stands out for you.

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N

Nige

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
232
Euro is gone but not forgotten. First went about '93 I think and was a regular attender till '03 and I missed a few years when I went off the hobby only to return. Got me thinking about all the great exhibits I managed to see. One in particular that always sticks in my mind was a box diorama made by Ernie Mirfin. It was based on the photo below and was stunning. There are many others of course but this one always stands out for me.
War-Vietnam-Memorial-Wallpaper.jpg
 
Apart from getting very drunk at the Southcliffe with Carl Reid and Brian Snaddon and a small cohort of Jocks......

And watching a Spitfire fly over the white cliffs of Dover....

Probably meeting all the guys from Planet Figure that I'd become friends with through this forum, but had never met face to face. They all turned out to be ripping blokes and it made me wish I could attend Euro every year to catch up with them on a regular basis.

The worst memory is being instructed by Chief Judge Geoff Ilsley to award a silver medal to Diego Ruina for his mounted figure of Genghis Khan when it was clearly not worthy and not as good as many other entries in the same category. I refused, as did the two other judges I was working with, and told him that I'd come all the way from Australia to participate in the judging at Euro, and I wasn't interested in giving out undeserved awards to reward the "favoured few". Ilsley stormed off muttering, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth and made me determined to do a better job at Chief Judge at WASMEx.
 
tonydawe said:
The worst memory is being instructed by Chief Judge Geoff Ilsley to award a silver medal to Diego Ruina for his mounted figure of Genghis Khan when it was clearly not worthy and not as good as many other entries in the same category. I refused, as did the two other judges I was working with, and told him that I'd come all the way from Australia to participate in the judging at Euro, and I wasn't interested in giving out undeserved awards to reward the "favoured few". Ilsley stormed off muttering, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth and made me determined to do a better job at Chief Judge at WASMEx.
Click to expand...



Well done Tony. Awarding on merit alone should be the standard, not "mate's rates." Must be your RMC training. ;)

Cheers
Chris
 
tonydawe said:
The worst memory is being instructed by Chief Judge Geoff Ilsley to award a silver medal to Diego Ruina for his mounted figure of Genghis Khan when it was clearly not worthy and not as good as many other entries in the same category. I refused, as did the two other judges I was working with, and told him that I'd come all the way from Australia to participate in the judging at Euro, and I wasn't interested in giving out undeserved awards to reward the "favoured few". Ilsley stormed off muttering, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth and made me determined to do a better job at Chief Judge at
Click to expand...

Has to be said, so apologies for any feathers it may ruffle: Having seen the standard Geoff Ilsleys's own work in the display cabinets in the comp room, I was always very puzzled as to what made him qualified to be "Chief Judge" at such a prestigious international event. I've seen far better stuff even on local club tables at the Huddersfield and Newark IPMS shows. For that matter, most guys who post on here knock him into a cocked hat.

I think this kind of "old boys' network" nonsense was - or at least eventually became - part of the problem with Euro. If this was a common occurrance, they may as well just have had Ilsley judge the lot on his own.

- Steve
 
On a more positive note, I have so many good memories of my (in total) thirteen EuroMils that I'd be here all morning typing (and probably boring people sh!tless) if I was to relate them all.

So in a nutshell: The first few times, when I didn't know anyone else in the hobby, it was all about spending daft amounts of money and grabbing bargains. I'd "fly solo" all weekend (except on the two occasions when the g/f tagged along and went off during the day to do her own thing).

From 2011 onwards though, by which time I was getting to know people, it became increasingly about having a great weekend among like-minded friends. The show itself was still important, but less so year on year. I think the social side of the show will be my main abiding memory of it.

And special mention must go to Julia, the very attractive Spanish manager at the Clifton. I only ever got to "admire her from afar" as they say, but she brightened the place up no end for a number of years, and it was a sad day when she left to go and work in another hotel down near the docks. The old place was never the same after that! :arghh:

- Steve
 
Apart from getting very drunk at the Southcliffe with Carl Reid and Brian Snaddon and a small cohort of Jocks......

And watching a Spitfire fly over the white cliffs of Dover....

Probably meeting all the guys from Planet Figure that I'd become friends with through this forum, but had never met face to face. They all turned out to be ripping blokes and it made me wish I could attend Euro every year to catch up with them on a regular basis.

The worst memory is being instructed by Chief Judge Geoff Ilsley to award a silver medal to Diego Ruina for his mounted figure of Genghis Khan when it was clearly not worthy and not as good as many other entries in the same category. I refused, as did the two other judges I was working with, and told him that I'd come all the way from Australia to participate in the judging at Euro, and I wasn't interested in giving out undeserved awards to reward the "favoured few". Ilsley stormed off muttering, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth and made me determined to do a better job at Chief Judge at WASMEx.
Cheers

Tony :)




:eek: Confirmation of what everyone knew what went on at the judging. I'm truly shocked :LOL:
Remember meeting you that year as well mate.
I was watching that Spit from the train station as we were heading back into London. Was a nice touch from the organisers.
 
Has to be said, so apologies for any feathers it may ruffle: Having seen the standard Geoff Ilsleys's own work in the display cabinets in the comp room, I was always very puzzled as to what made him qualified to be "Chief Judge" at such a prestigious international event. I've seen far better stuff even on local club tables at the Huddersfield and Newark IPMS shows. For that matter, most guys who post on here knock him into a cocked hat.
Click to expand...

It is my experience that some people can judge work way over their own standard.

Additionally, there are top quality painters who wouldnt be suitable as judges ever.

Its important however to be in the midst of the current achievements and respect different styles.

But I do agree there have been some strange decissions in awarding certain entries while others notable better went without.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson
 
Has to be said, so apologies for any feathers it may ruffle: Having seen the standard Geoff Ilsleys's own work in the display cabinets in the comp room, I was always very puzzled as to what made him qualified to be "Chief Judge" at such a prestigious international event. I've seen far better stuff even on local club tables at the Huddersfield and Newark IPMS shows. For that matter, most guys who post on here knock him into a cocked hat.

I think this kind of "old boys' network" nonsense was - or at least eventually became - part of the problem with Euro. If this was a common occurrance, they may as well just have had Ilsley judge the lot on his own.


Our hobby is constantly raising its standards Steve so in his day his stuff would have been up at the top end. However it makes a mockery of the whole thing when the Chief judge is trying to overturn the verdict of three others. :( What I found puzzling was the guy who had never won zilch judging every year ? Maybe down to a shortage of judging personnel ? Probably the same at every show ? Who knows - Its a thankless task and I don't think I'd have given my time for it. A number of people have cited the judging as a reason for staying away though so it was obviously a concern for some.

So in a nutshell: The first few times, when I didn't know anyone else in the hobby, it was all about spending daft amounts of money and grabbing bargains. I'd "fly solo" all weekend (except on the two occasions when the g/f tagged along and went off during the day to do her own thing).

Ditto. First few times I loaded up with all manner of crap (25 figures the first year) and useless gadgets which were never used :). This was pre internet though.
 
I first went to Euro in the early 2000s; just for the day on my own on the bike. Hardly knew anyone there but had a fantastic day and spent loads of money. I didn't have any idea then that my last Euro would be for a long weekend, with my wife and a van full of stock meeting loads of friends that I'd got to know through the hobby :) Still spent loads of money but made some too! I've enjoyed every Euro I've been too in the 15 years or so I went, on so many different levels but my lasting memory of it will be the people; thank you all for helping develop my painting skills and supporting our business. I shall miss Euro dearly as I'm sure many of you will but the friendships will last as will the memories.
 
Nige said:
Our hobby is constantly raising its standards Steve so in his day his stuff would have been up at the top end.
Click to expand...

And from what little I've had to do with him, I get the impression that old Geoff was/is very much a bloke still stuck back "in his day". But that is a fair point Nige. Standards of both scultping and painting have increased exponentially in recent years. You only have to look back through old issues of mags, and it's clear that a lot of the stuff that was gettings Golds and Silvers as recently as the early '00s would do well to get a Commended now. And what was considered high-end stuff in the '70s and '80s wouldn't even be at the races these days.

It's crackers though that a "Chief Judge" could try and completely over-rule two or more other judges. At most it should be a case of him having the casting vote in the event of a split decision.

- Steve
 

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