This event was held in early June and was a resounding success, but first a little bit about the club.
King Lear MBC operates at the Watermead Country Park just north of Leicester at Wanlip and was established in March 2008. It currently has 39 adult members and two juniors. The lake is a mile in circumference and has a maximum depth of around 12 feet. The park authorities have recently put in a concrete landing stage to improve access for less able-bodied members. The club has established a strong relationship with the local authority which has future plans to improve the country park and its facilities, which can only benefit the club. King Lear MBC operates on a large lake at the far end of the park and has excellent access to parking a few steps away from the water’s edge.
The members enjoy all aspects of model boating and have a social evening on the first Tuesday of each month where club business is also discussed. This is at Thurmaston Working Mens Progressive Club, 805 Melton Road, Thurmaston, Leicester, LE4 8EE and the meetings start at 7.30pm. It is worth mentioning that the club also host a number of other events including fast electric and BMPRS offshore style racing. For further information on the club please complete the email form on their website: www.kinglearmodelboatclub.co.uk or tel: 01162 613959. Marie Burdett is their hardworking secretary!
On the day of my visit in early June 2011 when the club was holding this event, a great number of lifeboat models were on display and operating on the water. The furthest travelled modellers were the lads from the Barry MBC in South Wales who came to have a look at the venue.
The winner of the Best Lifeboat was Bob (Younger at 70 as he likes to be known!) with a very nice model of a Barnett lifeboat, so well done to him. The day was broadly speaking a social occasion with like-minded model lifeboat builders able to chat about their passion for these craft. The pictures tell the whole story of the day which was very well supported. Lifeboats are always a popular model subject as is evinced by the range of kits in the marketplace.
For 2012, the date will be Sunday 3rd June for the next East Midlands Lifeboat Day organised by King Lear MBC, but please check the club’s website and Compass 360 in this magazine for up to date information nearer the time.
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About the Author
Main interest is scale scratchbuilding but I build kits as well! I live in South West Surrey near the Sussex border
