you can't put disappointment into words, Bob……..just when I was getting close to completing two new lifeboats…….….but after speaking to you and Duckie at Ellesmere port re costs of putting it on and the usual lack of interest from modellers to pay for inclusion into competition, (judging from the lack of enthusiasm I used to get when asking for subs at comps when running Fleetwood regattas many years ago, I am in total aggreement with you guys…….you can't go on making a loss every year.

Sad to see it go………but I blame no one else other than WE THE MODELLER!!!

Hello Paul

I`m not in a position to comment on the costs

For this year, the two main organisers have just had surgery and are not available

Bob

As I have been active in one form or another with the National Life Boat Rally since the mid-1980s I was so pleased that Etherow decided three years ago to host this long running event and a terrific job they did. However leaving aside the reasons for its cancelation at Etherow I understand that the Wallasey Model Boat Society would be willing to host the event in conjunction with their very successful annual l life boat appeal event. The venue like the Marine Lake at Southport has a good catchment area for the general public, essential for any form of fund raising. Also there is a good logistical base already in place. It would be very sad indeed if the rally was to cease as it remains even after 30 or more years a well supported event nationally .

Dave Wooley

Having attended just about every National Model Lifeboat Rally at Southport marine lake, Southport MBC at Rotten Row and at Etherow I was extremely disappointed to hear of the cancellation of this year's event. It is always the few who are relied on to put on such shows and it is unfortunate that their absence has resulted in the cancellation.

I understand there has been a concern about the expense of putting on such an event.

I can appreciate how much such an event can cost. It would be a considerable investmant with the hire of tables, insurance, consideration of Health and Safety, negotiation with the local authority, communication and advertising. Income would only be from competition entries as visitors could not be charged as it was a public space. All proceeds were owards the RNLI, a sentiment I totally support but even the raffle being sold was the RNLI national raffle and no attempt seemed to be made for fund raising towards the event costs.

The weekend has been one my yearly highlights and will be sorely missed. I hope that someone will take on the task of ensuring the continuation of what has been one of the most successful model boats event over many years.

I will continue to support the National (or International) Model Lifeboat Rally, be it Wallasey, Etherow or somewhere else. If I lived closer I would be happy to be more involved but am prepared to help as much as I can but admit I like to compete so would not do anything which would stopped me competing.

I look forward to some encouragingf news.

Les Jones

Current holder of the

Best Pulling and Sailing Lifeboat

Scratch Built Lifeboat

& Best Model in Show

Hi Les and David

Of course it is sad not be having the event this year, but you only have to look at the figures on this website and others to see there are only the few that keep it going, but thousands that look in!.

I did hear that the main organisers at the previous venue, Southport had all given up though one reason or another so that's why Etherow became the next venue, so perhaps its history repeating itself.

I would think that most club are the same, the few that do and the rest that pay their money and just want to sail their own boats.

I was talking to a club chairman a few years ago and he said "I'm going to cut out the dead wood in this club" I said "are you daft or what" are they paid up members if so they are entitled to all the benefits of the club, you will be losing a lot of money if you do that and who knows at a later date they might want to get more involved!.

That's my theory anyway!

Neil,

It wasn't about the money that stopped it, and my views when talking to you were just that, my views,

Duckie