Gareth Thomas

Gareth sadly passed away in February 2023 after a period of ill health, culminating in a particularly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Gareth had served on the committee with Roger, who passed only a couple of months previously, and was regularly seen representing the club at model shows around the country. Gareth was an enthusiastic member of club, though he will be fondly remembered most of all for never seeming to manage to finish any of the kits he started! He was always very fond of our club and his unwavering commitment as well as his friendship are sorely missed. His funeral was a packed and lively affair, a fitting tribute to a beloved fried.

Our “member of the year” trophy has been renamed “The Gareth Thomas Trophy” in his memory.

roger hartill

Roger was a long-standing member of the club, a former chair and a regular attendee at meetings, who passed on in December 2022. Roger was a skilled figure modeller and painter who was always happy to offer advice and assistance, particularly to younger members.

Isaac in particular recalled: “Roger taught me many things with figure painting. Many of the things he taught me I still use, I know I wouldn’t have pushed so hard to improve without his guidance. I remember his kindness, encouragement and generosity.”

The flats, figures and busts trophy for our club’s annual competition has been renamed “The Roger Hartill Trophy” in his memory.

bill nicholls

Bill passed away in May 2015, and his son Matt continues to support the club as our Treasurer. Bill was a founding member of IPMS Birmingham and a staunch supporter of both the local branch and the national club. In 2014, he was awarded a lifetime membership of IPMS in recognition of his service for the club.

Bill’s love for the Avro Vulcan V-Bomber was well known, and one of Bill’s models continues to grace the Birmingham Club Display at Telford in his memory every year. Bill was a beloved member of the club and a great friend to everyone who knew him, always happy to talk at length on a number of subjects, and delighted in supporting a number of charities.

Our annual charity trophy has been renamed “The Bill Nicholls Charity Trophy” in his honour.

lynne gossage

Wife of long-standing club member Michael Gossage, Lynne was always a great supporter of the branch’s activities and a good friend to its members, with a wonderful sense of humour and fun personality. She often accompanied Mike to local model shops and shows and was well known within our community. Lynne was a keen runner who participated in marathons and half marathons. Sadly, Lynne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just before Scale ModelWorld in 2012, and passed away on 27th May 2013, and is sorely missed by her husband Mike and their children, Elizabeth, Michael, and Matthew, and her grandchildren.

bob deeley

Former Chairman and Competition Secretary, Bob sadly passed away on 18th January 2013 at the age of 65. Noted for his mischievous and irreverent sense of humour, Bob was a popular and respected member of our club, specialising in figure models. Modelling was not his only interest, being also a keen angler and a skilled carpenter. He dedicated much of his time to leadership within the Scouts, and taught carpentry skills to disabled and special needs youngsters.

ron adams

Ernest Ronald Adams – known widely and affectionately as “Ron” – passed away on 12th August 2012. Ron served his country with the Army Intelligence Corps before returning to Birmingham to enter the world of stockbroking, until his retirement. Ron was one of the very first members of the International Plastic Modeller’s Society – his membership number was 167! He won many awards and his work was widely published, and his specialism in shipping and naval-related modelling earned him the nickname “Admiral” from his peers. He was known for being a true gentleman and a wonderful friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.