A WESTBURY-based modellers’ society has officially opened its new home after its former site was used for social housing.
The West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers were left without a home after their base in Queens Road was used for development.
After two years of searching, planning and construction, the society now have a new home in the grounds of the recently mothballed Lafarge cement works.
Honourary secretary Nev Boulton said that despite the two years of turmoil it had been a change for the better. The new site features £36,000 worth of track, a dedicated station, and large, secure storage facilities.
“We are very happy with it,” said Nev. “Last night we had a big ‘steam up’ with six engines going around the track, blowing steam, hooting and tooting! It was great.”
The site was officially opened last Saturday at a special open day. Guests of honour were Andrew Murrison MP, Mayor of Westbury Sue Ezra, Lafarge works manager Jim Cross and Richard Savory, son of Bob Savory who founded the society back in the early 60s.
Nev said,“I want Jim to drive the first train around because he was very supportive of us.” Nev had built a replica Lafarge mineral wagon (pictured) in honour of Jim, whose father was a guard on the GWR .
The meticulously made wagon took six months to create and contained 800 individual rivets.
“My wife had to hold each one whilst I put them in and every 40 or so I had to take her out to dinner!” said Nev.
MP Andrew Murrison said, “I am so pleased that the miniature railway has found a new home and am grateful to Lafarge for its help. The railway is a great local institution and a reminder of Westbury’s railway heritage.”
At the opening the new station ‘Cheval Blanc’ was unveiled and visitors were given rides around the track by society members. Refreshments and a historical display were to be found in the neighbouring Blue Circle Bar, whom Nev said the society look forward to fostering good links with over the coming years.
Finding the site
The West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers’ journey from Queens Road to the Lafarge site began in 2008 when their council granted landed was given up for development into social housing.
Thanks to some 45 years of fundraising for local causes, the society were not without friends and the Housing Society offered financial assistance to facilitate their move.
Nev said thanks were due to MP Andrew Murrison, cllr Julie Swabey and cllr Virginia Fortescue for helping to obtain funding, locate the site at Lafarge and help the society organise planning permission. Thanks were also given to Paul Walsh of Selwood Housing Society and Jim Cross of Lafarge.
Once the site at Lafarge was secured for a ‘peppercorn’ rent, the problem of avoiding underground pipes associated with the plant had to be solved.
Due to inaccurate maps the true locations were unclear but thanks to the water divining talents of the wife of chairman Des Clarke, the pipes were soon located with just a couple of bent coat hangers.
A £10,000 Awards for All Lotto grant was secured to pay the for station which was unveiled using a curtain last used when the Queen re-opened the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Local contractor Derek Hulin carried out much of the work but the society’s members pitched in on the more technical aspects, such as laying signalling cables and installing the station electronics.
Nev said, “The support of the membership was amazing and very inspiring.”
The future
The society have hopes to extend the track further around their four acre site but also to incorporate other forms of model engineering such as road vehicles, model boats and model cars.
Nev said, “Our outgoing chairman, Des Clarke, is very keen that our society develops into a model engineering centre, representing all the diverse interests encompassed by our hobby.”
The society also has plans to set up an education centre to allow its members’ knowledge and skills to be passed down to younger generations.
The society is also looking for new members of any age. Engineering experience is not necessary. If you are interested or for more information, call Mr Boulton on 01380 828101.
