At the age of 67, I happened to visit my brother-in-law and after seeing what he was capable of making on a lathe, I decided that this was a hobby which I could get interested in.
    So I proceeded to purchase a second-hand lathe, a Denford.  Quickly I realised, however, that I had neither the knowledge nor the skill to make the best use of the lathe. 
    Fortunately, I was living just up the road from a Skilled Maintenance Fitter and Turner, namely Bill Sweeting, who since the year 2000 has been good enough to pass on to me his great skills and substantial knowledge.
    Each Monday and Wednesday there is get together of like- minded fellow engineers. From these meetings, many of the ideas for the 22 model engines and 2 clocks have been forthcoming. 
    Of the said 22 engines, 6 models have resulted from designs drawn by Bob Middleton a friend of mine from Norfolk.  Some of these designs have been featured on the  David Carpenter Model Engineering Website.

    During the past 14 years, I have had Colchester Bantam, Colchester 2000, Smart & Brown Model M and Smart & Brown Model A lathes.
    I joined Pickering Experimental Engineering Model Society (known as PEEMS) and they have exhibited my engines at the Harrogate Model Engineering Show for the last 4 years - the Society won 'Best Stand in Show' in 2011 and 2013.
    I have also exhibited at both the Ryedale and Malton Shows - at Malton I personally won 'Best Stand in Show' for 2 years running.
    I continue to be a Model Engineer and would recommend the hobby to everyone - it can become very addictive.
    One piece of advice - anyone taking this up should be warned that if that person is married, then his wife should be prepared to allow him to spend time in his workshop from dawn until dusk!!!!