Figure Damaged At Euro

[Edward]

Unfortunately, one of my figures got badly damaged on Sunday at Euro. Someone damaged it whilst trying to take a photo apparently. It ended up in bits - it completely came off the base, and one piece was broken. I understand these things happen and obviously it was an accident.

The main reason I'm writing this is that a judge attempted to glue it back together in the competition room, leaving glue smeared over it. I know that this has happened before at Euro and a fellow modeller was left angry after someone did a bad repair job. I have actually thrown the figure away as it was in such a mess. I think this really has to stop. If a figure is damaged it should be up to the modeller/owner of the figure to try to repair it.

 

[Tommy's War]

I heard about this Edward, and was really sorry that it happened.

I'd had a few concerned customers tell me that the judging room was a bit of a scrum and with camera's and bags etc there was always the danger that this could happen. Perhaps the barriers need to be brought back? That would be a shame, but we can't have the displays damaged.

 

[JonP]

I agree Edward; there is no way the judges should be allowed to try and repair a figure. All the figures have the entrants name on the entry slips and it would only take a tannoy message to find the owner . I'm sure it was done with the best intentions but when you are dealing with somebody elses work you are not going to be in the best position to try and repair it with minimal equipment. Surely it would be best for the piece's owner to decide if he wanted to repair it there or take it home.

 

[Carlos69]

Hi Edward,sorry to hear you had to bin him mate... He did look in a sorry state when I saw him. I think definitely 100% they should not be messed with IF broken as it makes things a hundred times worse ! As you have glue to contend with as well and no longer a clean join to repair.

This was my first Euro in years and I could not beleave there were no hand rail barriers as in the past. Surely it's asking for trouble with out these ?!

 

[Redcap]

Very sorry to hear about this Edward though I am hardly surprised; indeed the only thing that amazes me about this is that to date, yours is the only such report. I went into the competition area both on the Saturday and Sunday and gave up on both occasions at trying to have an enjoyable and relaxing walk around to look at the works of art on display. One can only tolerate for so long being shoved, jostled, having cameras deliberately thrust into one's personal facial space by an arm extending over your shoulder or having some over excited viewers shouting next to your ears and over towards their mate(s)....who just happens to be at the other end of the room! It was more like attending a Tudor bear pit than a gallery displaying art which IMHO at this standard is what it is. I am not a fan of 'regulation' on most things but I think the Euro organisers really need to think about placing some sort of barrier for the exhibits on display for future events. I am talking here about only 18" or so which would negate the risk of damage from cameras if nothing else ( I thought they came with 'zoom' facilities anyway!) and also some crowd management of numbers at any time to allow both a more enjoyable viewing experience and minimise risk of damage to the exhibits.

Gary

 

[Gaudin]

Hmmm. I think you should send a bill to that judge actually . Joking aside -the point about barriers is a good one - I would go further to suggest they should get insurance cover for the show as a must. Ultimately, a piece of art (let everyone choose for them self how much to agree to this) was destroyed

 

[pmfs]

Hello Edward!

Really bad hear what happened to you. Why Euromilitare staff dont used glass shelves?...
Cheers

 

[DEL]

I agree Edward; there is no way the judges should be allowed to try and repair a figure. All the figures have the entrants name on the entry slips and it would only take a tannoy message to find the owner . I'm sure it was done with the best intentions but when you are dealing with somebody elses work you are not going to be in the best position to try and repair it with minimal equipment. Surely it would be best for the piece's owner to decide if he wanted to repair it there or take it home.

Sorry to hear it was one of yours Edward, you have to be commended on regarding it as an accident...it wasn't....it was sheer carelessness...with no regard for others property. A little bit of attention and sense is all it takes....if the shots not on don't take it. I think Jon has it just about right regarding the judges intentions. I'm not convinced about the barriers though, were no figures damaged when barriers were there? I seem to remember people almost doing gymnastics whilst hanging over the barriers to get photos. I also believe that the jostling and congestion was much worse when the barriers were there. There's a cloakroom (too dear at £2 an item) no one should be allowed in with backpacks, umbrellas etc. If barriers are the answer, then 450mm from table not 900mm.
Derek

 

[Einion]

Sorry to hear about this Edward.

The main reason I'm writing this is that a judge attempted to glue it back together in the competition room, leaving glue smeared over it.

!!! I would be livid if this happened to a model of mine.

Preventable accidents like the original breakage are always regrettable but to compound the error in this way

Einion

 

[Mark S]

I can believe a judge would presume to take it upon themselves to interfere with an entrants work in such a way.
It seems to me that they would only attempt such an outrage if they were trying to conceal the fact that they were responsible for the damage in the first place.
Terrible shame, Edward it must have left you very disheartened.

 

[Helm]

I can believe a judge would presume to take it upon themselves to interfere with an entrants work in such a way.
It seems to me that they would only attempt such an outrage if they were trying to conceal the fact that they were responsible for the damage in the first place.
Terrible shame, Edward it must have left you very disheartened.

Couldn't agree more Mark that is disgraceful and at the VERY least they should have at least replaced your figure Edward and anybody with a shred of decency would have also offered something in the way of compensation, cash, another figure, whatever.

Steve

 

[brian]

There's no excuse for this happening,but i for one don't go down to the competition room until after lunch as it's a lot quieter then and you've got a better chance of seeing the figures without get shoved or pushed about.Sunday opening time is reminiscent of the charge of the light brigade!!!
Brian

 

[Tecumsea]

Maybe one of the problems is that figures can be removed from display after 1.00 PM it doesn't leave a lot of time for a few hundred people to look at the entries in comfort. Sorry to hear about your figure Edward, I can only assume that the judge was well meaning in his intentions but this shouldn't happen. As Gary said it is a scrum and there seems to be no security in place to control activity-I even noticed that in one of the pictures posted someone was picking up a figure...maybe it was his own but it should be discouraged as it encourages other people to do the same.
Having said all of this the weekend was thoroughly enjoyable and I'm looking forward to next year already.
Keith

 

[housecarl]

You know my view on the subject Edward.
It's not on, and as for the "live with it attitude".
Carl.

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Edward,
There is not too much that I can add to what has already been posted. I'am sorry for you having to throw the model away but also disapointed that the Euro organisers have nothing in the way of security to deter people from even being close to the exhibited pieces.
I always thought that the big risk was traveling from all over the world with figures.
Really feel for you Mate,
Keith

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Wow - that's like a museum guard seeing a damaged Monet and pulling out his oils to do a little touch up on the wall in the hopes no one notices. I find it shocking that anyone qulaified to be a judge in a major international competiton would do such a stupid thing, even if he did it well - which obviously he didn't. Sorry - intentions don't come into it. Was there no else around saying "give your head a shake?"

Colin

 

[Carlos69]

SECURITY !!!

 

[ghamilt1]

I was wondering how many of you attended the World Expo in Girona in 2008? I remember the very secure system of handing in and receiving back one's figures from the judges/staff, and I also recall how all the figures were safely behind glass where there was virtually no chance of anyone bumping them off the base trying to photography them. I don't know about the cost and feasibility of such a system at Folkstone, but I suppose it's always worth while to check it out.

 

[DEL]

Wow - that's like a museum guard seeing a damaged Monet and pulling out his oils to do a little touch up on the wall in the hopes no one notices. I find it shocking that anyone qulaified to be a judge in a major international competiton would do such a stupid thing, even if he did it well - which obviously he didn't. Sorry - intentions don't come into it. Was there no else around saying "give your head a shake?"

Colin

You're right Colin whatever the intention, it doesn't come into it. There should be (maybe there is) a series of protocols giving stewards and judges clear instruction for the more likely eventualities such as breakages.

 

[abbo]

Sorry too hear about your figure Edward i would have been absolutely steaming.
Maybe if the competition room didn't close for half the day on the Saturday there wouldn't be such a crush.
Didn't make it to Euro this year but sometimes I can only make the Saturday and by the time I've got there I've only had
Half an hour to see anything before they close the competition room and its absolutely heaving .Im surprised there isn't more
Damage.Seen camera straps hanging dangerously close to figures every time I've been!.
What figure was damaged.
Martin