Dairy farming to model toys
A Thames couple sold their dairy farm to turn their passion for model toys into a vocation.
Jeremy and Miffy Welsh made the trek down from the Coromandel to the Central District Field Days and have been familiar faces at the event since starting their business 15 years ago.
The duo had a small sharemilking farm where they were in charge of 150 cows.
Jeremy Welsh has always been an avid toy collector and said the move into the model industry was a natural progression.
While milking, the pair ran a small collectibles and model toy operation out of their spare bedroom.
‘‘Jeremy used to get friends ring him up and ask him to order the latest model for this and that,’’ Miffy Welsh said.
‘‘Then their mates used to ring up and then every Joe Bloggs after that rung up. It got to the stage where Jeremy was milking cows and also taking calls from people to take orders.’’
In 2002, they decided to sell their cows and give the model toy industry a proper crack.
It’s paid off with the couple now exporting toys through their website to Europe, Australia and the United States.
‘‘We’re the only dedicated store in New Zealand that sells just collectibles and models.’’
The couple’s store is decked out with thousands of diecast models depicting the historic development of farm machinery, construction equipment and trucks.
The collectibles are of vehicles from the 19th century through to today.
‘‘I’m from the farm. The rural scene is my history, and that is reflected when you look around the store,’’ Jeremy Welsh said.
‘‘Much of it is farm machinery. All are real brands and models – that’s the attraction of them.’’
Taihape boy Ronnie Cole, 12, said he came to the Field Days with his mother just to visit the store.
‘‘I’ve got about 10 at home – disks, a plough, a baler, trailer and drill,’’ he said.
‘‘Every year I come they’ve new and upgraded things. I’ve always loved the farm.’’