Hot BAYKO News!!!
This is a new, experimental page, which I hope you will enjoy. |
The intent here is to provide information on anything and everything that's happening in BAYKO, in the BAYKO Collectors Club or elsewhere... |
...I hope you enjoy it and find it interesting. |
Early this millennium, Prince Charles’ architectural cronies had steam coming out of their ears as the plans were unveiled to build a modern museum alongside the ‘three graces’ on the Liverpool waterfront. On a Tuesday evening, on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Cunard Building, the middle one of those ‘three graces’, the magnificent new Museum of Liverpool Life opened its doors. |
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So why is this event being reported in the BAYKO Collectors Club section? Well, two club members, Robin Throp and Pete Bradley were invited to attend the festivities. The name of the third invitee gives a clue as to why, but, sadly, Leo Janssen was unable to attend. |
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The museum has only opened 50% of its floor area to date, which makes it all the more pleasing that the world’s first and finest plastic construction toy was the only children’s toy on display. The pioneering model is Leo’s model of the Empire State Building [left and right] and it is just about the first exhibit you see as you leave the reception area and enter the section which covers Liverpool’s links with the United States. The model is now enclosed in a hermetically sealed glass display case and has been cleaned and polished to within an inch of its life. It does both Liverpool-made BAYKO and Leo proud. To take account of the restricted ceiling height, the model has had to be shortened slightly, in both the bottom and top sections, but is still totally stunning. |
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MECCANO and other Liverpool toys will be included in future displays as the museum opens the remaining 50% of the floor area, but, for the moment, BAYKO flies solo. |
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I'm not going to try and do justice to the entire museum contents, but there were several things which attracted my attention. |
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I really have to mention three models in the museum in particular. |
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In the 1930s, plans were drawn up for a new basilica style catholic cathedral in Liverpool and the original architect’s model is there [right] in all its glory. Building did actually start on this version, though the money soon ran out, and only the crypt was completed. This then had to be incorporated as part of the subsequent design of what is now affectionately known as “Paddy’s Wigwam”, which was the final architectural choice some thirty years later. |
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The 'three graces' mentioned above, form an iconic vista on Liverpool's waterfront, and the Museum of Liverpool Life has a small model of them [right]. |
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From left to right they are the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the former offices of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. The Museum of Liverpool Life is actually located to the right of these, as viewed from the Mersey [and in the picture]. |
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Note the opening night chamber quartet in the background! |
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Unsurprisingly there are several exhibits covering various aspects of the lives and careers of the Beatles, and I was particularly interested in one of them. |
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John Lenon's childhood home, 'Mendips', which was actually his auntie's house, was opened up several years ago as a visitor attraction for pilgrimages by devotees, as part of organised Beatles Tours. |
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The house is a slightly larger than average semi-detached house, and is located on Liverpool's ring road. |
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The museum has three models in a sealed display case [right] showing the exterior and both the upstairs and downstairs interiors. |
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Well, the drummers, band, choirs, champagne and ten foot tall stilt-walking Liver Birds have all been packed away, but I can thoroughly recommend visiting the museum and joining the 12,000 visitors who came on day one. |
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By popular request, the BAYKO Collectors Club is now actively encouraging members to set up mini-meets, small local meetings, outside the normal meeting timetable. The aim is to expand our promotion of construction toys in general and of BAYKO in particular. Apart from the increase in the number of chances this will offer members to talk about their favourite subject, mini-meets will hopefully encourage and allow an increased geographical coverage. |
Almost any venue can be suitable - and remember, the earliest B.C.C. meetings were actually held in a founder member's front room! However, please bear in mind that some members or visitors may have to travel a significant distance, so some basic facilities and refreshments [tea or coffee] should be considered. |
The BAYKO Collectors Club will be happy to provide organisers with advertising both through this website and through 'BAYKO News', the B.C.C. magazine, so remember to allow plenty of time for the publicity. |
If you feel you would like to arrange a mini-meet in your area, the B.C.C. would be happy to offer help and advice... |
The BAYKO Collectors Club is planning another big one - BAYKO 75 - a major exhibition to celebrate the 75th birthday of the world's first and finest plastic construction toy, which is to be held in 2009! |
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This will be the 3rd major anniversary exhibition, following up on the success of the Diamond Jubilee Exhibition in Liverpool in 1994 and the 70th Birthday BAYKO Exhibition in Sandy in 2004. |
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Several venues are being considered, including a return visit to BAYKO's home turf, but details won't be published until they are finalised to avoid any risk of confusion. |
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2 years sounds a long way ahead, but, you can't have too much planning time when you are putting together a major exhibition like this. |
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Peter Wicker has volunteered his services as exhibition coordinator, doubtless with much invaluable support from Brenda and I'm sure we all wish him well in the role... |
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...even more important, I'm sure you will give him your full support. |
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I'm certainly looking forward to participating in another major triumph for the BAYKO Collectors Club - watch this space. |
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BAYKO Goes Home |
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Remember you heard it here first... |
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...2 of Leo's famous have been sold... |
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...and what's more, they're coming home! |
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The magnificent Empire State Building [left] and the superb Speke Airport Building [right] are the models concerned... |
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...but why are they going home? |
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The models have been bought by The Museum of Liverpool Life, part of The National Museums, Liverpool which already held a number of BAYKO documents referred to elsewhere on the site. |
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They hope to have The Empire State Building on display in a couple of months. |
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Congratulations to Leo... |
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...and also, of course, to the Museum of Liverpool Life for their taste and foresight!!! |
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The photo [left] was taken at the Diamond Jubilee exhibition at Sandy in 2004, the other [right] in the museum store. |
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Below here are links to related info : - |
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Click on any of the links below for related information. |
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Latest update -
July 23, 2011
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