Major award for model diecast legend

The founder of the world-renowned collectable brand of Oxford Diecast, Lyndon Davies, was presented with the Special Recognition Award at the National Festival of Railway Modelling held at the NEC, Birmingham on Saturday, November 23rd at 1pm.

The British Toy & Hobby Association Special Recognition Award recognises individuals and organisations for their longstanding dedication and employment within the UK toy industry. The award is made based on long-service, loyalty and contribution.

His career in diecast models commenced in 1977 when he joined Mettoy at its Swansea factory as an apprentice assistant. He quickly gained recognition from the senior management and, after several promotions, he eventually ended his time at Mettoy as Line Foreman.

With the closure of the Mettoy, Swansea factory, at the turn of the Millennium and still based in his beloved Swansea, Lyndon using his twin skills of marketing and production, created Oxford Diecast and from humble beginnings the business went from strength to strength.

The range consists of an eclectic range of cars, buses, public service vehicles and more, which cover the decades from the 1940s to the present day and are available in a variety of scales - 1:18, 1:43, 1:76 (00), 1:87 (H0), 1:148 (British N gauge) and 1:120 (TT120).  

And Oxford does not stop at road vehicles, they have ranges covering many other subjects, including flight, agriculture, traction engines and, using the brand name Oxford Rail, model railways.

On October 1st, 2017, Eloise Davies, the daughter of Lyndon, was appointed as Managing Director of Oxford Diecast Ltd. This last year has seen Lyndon in the spirit that typifies the unfettered resilience of the man, fighting to claw back his health but throughout he has maintained not only his sharp business brain and strong sense of humour but also his unwavering respect for others.