Bolton IPMS – The Friendly Model Club

FAQ

We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at The Den, Cunningham Road, Westhoughton, BL5 2AN. 7:30pm until 10:00 pm.

Club Meeting

IPMS is the abbreviation for International Plastic Modellers Society, the parent organisation to which our Bolton club is affiliated.

The club meets every second Wednesday of each month (except in November where we meet on the first Wednesday).

You will be our guest at the first meeting. If you are happy to continue, subsequent meetings will require that you join the club. See the Club Treasurer.

No, but we’re sure you’ll want to have a go and join in the fun.

Due to space restrictions we currently do not build during the club meeting. However, if there is a query regarding your model “Work in progress” (WIP), we have enough experienced members who could help you and look at your WIP issues.

No.

The club has a licenced bar as well as tea and coffee.

Yes, the club has free parking.

Certainly, you can see the work produced by our brilliant club members.

The Club membership fee is £20.00 per year.

No, we have members from all over the North West of England and even further afield.

You don’t have to be a member of IPMS (UK) but we do encourage joining as it helps keep our affiliated club status and has a number of other individual benefits including Free/early entry into Scale Model World every November

It is a social gathering of the club members where we have a Model of the Month competition and either a demonstration or a presentation talk. There is also the “Boring Bit” of club announcements and show diaries and, depending of the particular month, we have a “Kit Swap” in April, and the Annual General Meeting in May.

We recently celebrated our Club’s 25th Anniversary with a summer BBQ. We are currently reviewing further potential events so check out the club announcements.

Yes, we organise our own highly regarded annual Model Show every January as well as displaying as a club at other model shows around the UK.

Bolton IPMS Model Show

Our Bolton IPMS Model Show is held every January (see Show Announcements) at the Premier Suite, Toughsheet Community Stadium, De Havilland Way, Bolton, BL6 6JW.

By Road – From the North. If travelling down the M6, follow signs for the M61 and leave at J30. Follow signs for Manchester/Bolton and leave at J6 (the Toughsheet Community Stadium should be visible on the left). Take the first exit off the roundabout onto the A6027 De Havilland Way. At the next roundabout, take the second exit onto De Havilland Way, keeping to the left lane, and take the first slip road into the car park for the Toughsheet Community Stadium and Bolton Stadium Hotel.
By Road – From the South. If travelling up the M6, follow signs for the M62 and leave at J21a, following signs for Manchester. Join the M60 at J12 and proceed to follow signs for the M61 towards Preston. Do NOT take the A666 towards Bolton. Exit the M61 at J6 and take the third exit off the roundabout onto the A6027 De Havilland Way. At the next roundabout, take the second exit onto De Havilland Way, keeping to the left lane, and take the first slip road into the car park for the Toughsheet Community Stadium and Bolton Stadium Hotel.
By Rail. The Toughsheet Community Stadium is located approximately 200 metres from Horwich Parkway Railway Station. Trains run regularly from Blackpool and Preston if travelling from the North, and Manchester and Bolton if travelling from the South.
By Bus. The Bee Network operates a number of buses to the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Please visit www.tfgm.com for up to date bus travel information and journey planner.

Yes, free parking is available only by registering your vehicle either at The Bolton Stadium Hotel reception or the Show’s Ticket Desk at the entrance. Failure to register correctly will lead to a parking charge by the stadium’s parking operator.

Tickets can be purchased on the door or you can purchase them online here: Club Show

There is step-free access via the main visitor entrance to the show and there is a lift for access to the upper level.

Yes, show tickets and limited edition merchandise can be purchased using cash or cards and most traders will accept cards.

Yes, the Premier Suite has onsite catering available. Alternatively, there are multiple food outlets at the Middlebrook Retail Park less than a 5-minute walk away. You can re-enter the show by showing your wristband at the entrance.

Yes. We would be surprised if you didn’t buy something. There is something for everyone with over 20+ traders selling model kits and accessories.

Yes, there are a number of local hotels including The Bolton Stadium Hotel, Premier Inn Bolton (Stadium/Arena) Hotel, Premier Inn Bolton West Hotel, Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel, etc.

Yes, Bolton has a wealth of family-friendly attractions including Bolton Museum, Smithills Open Farm, Bolton Market, Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park, Octagon Theatre, Albert Halls Bolton and much more.