Project Merlin

[Tim Marlow]

In general or just in modelling :tongue-out3:

[boatman]

Hi John, yes, I can see how unkind this statement is and thank you for your concern - I shall be very careful.

Perhaps Sir Ponsonby is actually with the committee on the fact finding tour of The Bahamas and was in midst of a jolly whilst preparing the above message. I'm suspecting the committee may have been overwhelmed by the local tribal dancers who were trying to imitate the English folk Morris dancers. Perhaps this excitement has created the unfortunate statement. I'm only surmising of course. But thanks all the same. :thumb2:

HI Paul if Sir Ponsonby is actually with the committee on the fact finding tour of The Bahamas and was in midst of a jolly whilst preparing the above message. I'm suspecting the committee may have been overwhelmed by the local tribal dancers who were trying to imitate the English folk Morris dancers. Perhaps this excitement has created the unfortunate statement. I'm only surmising of course. Well Paul it was suppose to be a month tour but theyve been gone ages i :thinking:supect they are on holls LOL :rolling::smiling3::smiling3::smiling3:
Chris

[boatman]

Hi John, yes, I can see how unkind this statement is and thank you for your concern - I shall be very careful.

Perhaps Sir Ponsonby is actually with the committee on the fact finding tour of The Bahamas and was in midst of a jolly whilst preparing the above message. I'm suspecting the committee may have been overwhelmed by the local tribal dancers who were trying to imitate the English folk Morris dancers. Perhaps this excitement has created the unfortunate statement. I'm only surmising of course. But thanks all the same. :thumb2:

WELL PLAYED Paul for a newbie very funny bit of banter you sir are very witty as thats what we like on this foerum freindly banter to make us all have a good laugh which i think sorely needed in these dark days we have been through well done
chris

[Pr.Merlin]

In general or just in modelling :tongue-out3:

I'm a bit of an 'all or nothing' type of chap, so it will have to be the Full Monty. :tongue-out3:

[Pr.Merlin]

WELL PLAYED Paul for a newbie very funny bit of banter you sir are very witty as thats what we like on this foerum freindly banter to make us all have a good laugh which i think sorely needed in these dark days we have been through well done
chris

Thanks Chris. Yes indeed, a bit of lighthearted banter is very cool, although it has got me into trouble in the past and I've been summoned to the naughty step. In fact, glancing through my above statement could read slightly condescending. I hope not, but my apologies if so - completely non loaded with any obscure intentions of naughtiness. Just thought I'd mention it.

Right, where's my coat... :smiling: :thumb2:

[Pr.Merlin]

It's just occurred to me that I have forgotten about a particular team member, who was the main source of inspiration for designing and building Project Merlin - and that's Merlin himself.

A true splendour of presence. A model within his own right, standing to a height of 6' 2" tall.

Merlin the Wizard has been a real part of my home for almost 25 years and on rare occasions, he still makes me jump.

Project Merlin revolves around this guy. Here he is - Merlin the Wizard.
I have many stories to share about this chap.

[Jim R]

Dear Mr Merlin
It is true that as a TBC committee member it is important for me to spend time with the rest of the committee in the Bahamas. In order to be able to continue the arduous work involved with the running of such a prestigious organisation as the TBC it was necessary to take my secretary, Miss Fifi Trixiebelle, and my personal assistant, Miss Lulu Lamoure. I also felt that Fifi deserved some reward for her much improved secretarial skills. She can now type at a speed of 8 words a minute and read without moving her lips. I enclose a photo of myself hard at work while Fifi and Lulu discuss TBC business.

Your
Sir Ponsonby Ffitch Bigcon (TBC Membersip sec.)


Hi Paul
Sorry to highjack your thread. In these strange and worrying times a bit of harmless banter may go some way to help us all get through them. That Merlin stature is stunning. What is it made of and how did you come by it?
Jim

[boatman]

COR what a sight they look great now we know what the TBC gets up to when they are graftin on these fact finding tour of The Bahamas lol (wish it was me :nerd: :crying::crying::crying an what jim said above Paul
chris

[Pr.Merlin]

Dear Mr Merlin
It is true that as a TBC committee member it is important for me to spend time with the rest of the committee in the Bahamas. In order to be able to continue the arduous work involved with the running of such a prestigious organisation as the TBC it was necessary to take my secretary, Miss Fifi Trixiebelle, and my personal assistant, Miss Lulu Lamoure. I also felt that Fifi deserved some reward for her much improved secretarial skills. She can now type at a speed of 8 words a minute and read without moving her lips. I enclose a photo of myself hard at work while Fifi and Lulu discuss TBC business.
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Your
Sir Ponsonby Ffitch Bigcon (TBC Membersip sec.)


Hi Paul
Sorry to highjack your thread. In these strange and worrying times a bit of harmless banter may go some way to help us all get through them. That Merlin stature is stunning. What is it made of and how did you come by it?
Jim

Hi Jim. No worries at all, and indeed, such times require a gentle reminder of the loveliness within this beautiful world of ours. Merlin is made from a resin compound and he's extremely heavy. I bought him when I was living in Bournemouth about 23 years ago, from an arcade spiritual type incense burning hippy sort of establishment. He was stood outside as a prop. I strolled in and inquired about buying 'the wizard', but the owner insisted he wasn't for sale. We chatted for a while and amazingly, the owner retracted and we agreed a price, so I bought Merlin the Wizard, with the arrangement of delivery to my home the following weekend. I did tell my eldest daughter who was 8 years of age at the time. The day before Merlin was delivered to my home, my Mother was out shopping with Georgie (my daughter) and they walked past the shop. Merlin was stood outside with a 'sold' sticker on his beard. On approach to the shop with Merlin in full view, my Mother apparently chuckled and said to Georgie, "By golly, who on earth would buy something like that?!" Georgie instantly laughed out aloud, replying, "Your son grandma!"
Before I ramble on too much, I just need to reply to the Secretary of TBC. Many thanks. :thumb2:


Dear Sir Ponsonby Ffitch Bigcon,

Thank you for your kind and quick response to my submitted application for elected membership with the TBC.

I feel humbled and would like to share my gratitude for your dedicated commitment to the club. This feeds me with great confidence that should my elected membership prove successful, I will endeavour to show such honourable commitment in return. If it's not too prudent of me, and by no means am I trying to enhance my application, but, I can sincerely promote, even endorse, I will be truly happy to relieve you from such duties, and offer to teach Miss Fifi Trixiebelle together with Miss Lulu Lamoure, the art of bench cleaning. I also feel it would be my duty, as a new member, to carry out such dedicated duties without incurring a fee of any sorts to the club. In fact, I can also genuinely pledge Miss Lulu Lamoure's typing skills will improve to 9 words a minute after a mere 7 one-hour sessions with her.

I hope my offer is considered and shows the commitment I am truly happy to oblige.

Yours gratefully,
Pr. Merlin.

[boatman]

SEE Jim Paul :thinking:has voluntered to take all those arduous work hrs involved with the running of such a prestigious organisation as the TBC it will be necessary to take your secretary, Miss Fifi Trixiebelle, and your personal assistant, Miss Lulu Lamoure. so no more arduous work for you you can put your feet up an enjoy life LOL :rolling: :thumb2: ERNT YOU LUCKY LOL
chris

[Tim Marlow]

Nice backstory on Merlin Paul........

[Pr.Merlin]

Nice backstory on Merlin Paul........

Thanks Tim. :thumb2:

[Jim R]

Dear Mr Merlin
Thank you for your completed form applying for membership of the TBC. This was considered by the TBC Membership Committee at its last monthly meeting held in the tap room of the Frog and Sprocket public house. After long deliberations, fifteen meat pies, six Scotch eggs, four bags of pork scratchings and a few pints of brown ale the vote was taken. I am pleased to offer you full membership.
Our chairman, Brigadier Angus MacSporran retired BAhons Calcutta (failed), would have wished to be at the meeting but was needed on his estate near Ecclefechan for the opening of the haggis hunting season. He does, however, sent his warmest congratulations.
In light of your kind proposal to further the careers of Miss Fifi and Miss Lulu your fees for the current year are waived. They are both most enthusiastic regarding your offer of hour long sessions. Since my operation I have only been able to give them ten minutes or so before needing a lie down. They will, of course, bring all their own equipment to the sessions.
Welcome to the TBC. I am sure you will enjoy all the many privileges of full membership. Your copy of the quarterly magazine "Tidy Is as Tidy Does" will be dispatched to you soon.
Yours
Sir Ponsonby Ffitch Bigcon (membership sec.)

Hi Paul
Back to the model before the mods decide the thread is so off subject and we get sat on the naughty step
That is a fine story of how you came by Merlin. He must make a great talking point with visitors. The build itself reminds me of the apprentice pieces which were produced to demonstrate the skills learned by young craftsmen. Most interesting that you will be using the actual methods albeit in miniature. Looking forward to the start.
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

Hey, there’s a Perishers fan in the house.....you’ve just name dropped the Bloodhound Jim! Next up, the eyeballs in the sky!

[Pr.Merlin]

Dear Mr Merlin
Thank you for your completed form applying for membership of the TBC. This was considered by the TBC Membership Committee at its last monthly meeting held in the tap room of the Frog and Sprocket public house. After long deliberations, fifteen meat pies, six Scotch eggs, four bags of pork scratchings and a few pints of brown ale the vote was taken. I am pleased to offer you full membership.
Our chairman, Brigadier Angus MacSporran retired BAhons Calcutta (failed), would have wished to be at the meeting but was needed on his estate near Ecclefechan for the opening of the haggis hunting season. He does, however, sent his warmest congratulations.
In light of your kind proposal to further the careers of Miss Fifi and Miss Lulu your fees for the current year are waived. They are both most enthusiastic regarding your offer of hour long sessions. Since my operation I have only been able to give them ten minutes or so before needing a lie down. They will, of course, bring all their own equipment to the sessions.
Welcome to the TBC. I am sure you will enjoy all the many privileges of full membership. Your copy of the quarterly magazine "Tidy Is as Tidy Does" will be dispatched to you soon.
Yours
Sir Ponsonby Ffitch Bigcon (membership sec.)

Hi Paul
Back to the model before the mods decide the thread is so off subject and we get sat on the naughty step
That is a fine story of how you came by Merlin. He must make a great talking point with visitors. The build itself reminds me of the apprentice pieces which were produced to demonstrate the skills learned by young craftsmen. Most interesting that you will be using the actual methods albeit in miniature. Looking forward to the start.
Jim

Thanks Jim,

Great fun and very amusing, and yes indeed, mods/the naughty step - yep, I understand! Thanks for the banter.

I must say, I carried out a complex yacht repair several years ago for a British Army Brigadier and if memory serves, his name was Angus Mac(something) - I shall search through my old files and find his surname. It would very cool if he was a MacSporran. I seem to remember his wife was also a Brigadier who went by the name of Fanny. I could be mistaken of course - this could be pure influence of Miss Fifi and Miss Lulu.

Indeed, new visitors fall for Merlin with great enthusiasm - although not during the last year of course. With the cutting list now finished, and more intermittent browsing for other materials (I may have sourced the lighting including a bespoke light fitting for the staircase), I have actually made a start on some woodwork today. It's all good stuff and thanks again. :smiling4: :thumb2: