LEGO fans of all ages had the chance to see just what is possible when the Great Western Brick Show returned to the town at the weekend.

The two-day celebration of all things Lego attracted around 6,000 through the doors of Steam museum and they were wowed by some spectacular displays created by members of the Brickish Association, the club for adult Lego fans.

PICTURES: Great Western Brick Show 2019

Co-organiser Martin Long said: “The Great Western Brick Show is all about people bringing their own models and creations and showing them off to the public. 

“A lot of the models here are privately owned, so they are here on public display for the first time.”

Wonderful creations ranged from smaller, individual models of aircraft, to railway displays and large city scenes with moving parts and intricate details. 

“It’s all about celebrating what you can do with Lego bricks,” added Martin. “Because the bricks actually haven’t significantly changed since they were first introduced in 1958.

“They’re a wonderful thing because you can build something new every day."

The annual show has been going for 17 years, and had 80 exhibits this year.

 “We hope we can inspire children to create things for themselves because Lego is a great material and you can build so much with it,” added Martin.

Highlights of the event included a large scale model to mark the 200 year anniversary of the Peterloo massacre in which 18 people were killed during a Manchester protest demanding parliamentary reform.

One of the displays covered six tables, entitled ‘Bushwood Station featuring the Swindon works Weighbridge’ and included an exact replica of the King George V locomotive currently on display elsewhere in the museum. 

Creator Paul Robinson said: “That train was my inspiration behind this creation.

“It’s part of my heritage – I’m from Swindon and I see the Weighbridge building every day going to work.”

The estate gardener said there are 950 pieces of Lego in one 25.5 square centimetre section of his display, which took him two years to build.

“The trains take a particularly long time to build. You often have to take them apart and rebuild them many times to see what works.

“The whole display was all created without instructions,” said Paul. “I enjoy the creativity involved. It’s a combination of art and engineering.” 

Ella Karasinska from North Swindon, attended the event with her two children, India, seven, and Mia, two. 

“We’ve really enjoyed it, said Ella. 

"India has been very excited going round pointing out all the bits we have at home. They love Lego, they build it all the time at home.”
Saturday saw the family’s first visit to the exhibition but hope to return again next year. 
“India’s favourite bits have been anything that moves – the trains, the carousel. It’s been very cool, and we’ve all had a great time,” Ella added.