Ships ahoy during model behaviour in the park
It's been a frustrating winter for the sailors of Millhouses harbour. Ice and snow have left the skippers of the park's schooners, yachts and motor torpedo boats to reflect on the season ahead from the sanctuary of the harbour café.
"There's always someone here, irrespective of the weather," said Ken Brothwell of the Sheffield Ship Model Society. (Albeit sometimes becalmed with a cream cake and cappuccino).
But last Sunday more than a dozen of the society's 30 members were finally able to set sail on an ice-free Millhouses boating lake and passing children and families could once again marvel at the craftsmanship and enthusiasm of the modellers, as they have at Millhouses since the society was formed before the Second World War.
The spectacle had a slightly surreal air: the yachts, cruisers and motor boats of varying scales were complemented by a monster mallard, which occasionally bobbed diffidently past a four-mast schooner or cruise liner.
"I once had a woman with her grandchildren at the far end of the lake trying to feed it bread," chuckled the radio controlled duck captain, Dave Moxon. Dave was a model car racer until a year or two ago. "I decided to take up model boats instead because it's less stressful."
Like many SSMS members Dave has several vessels existing, planned or in construction. A big attraction of the hobby is the research and construction of a model using your own skills and design, said Mick Herring, a former garage owner.
"I used to make parts for cars using my own lathe in my garage but a lot of those skills are going now. But building mode ls is a skill. And I think for young people, building boats is more interesting than playing games on a computer."
Terry Walden added that SSMS members are always willing and able to help new modellers. "Between us, we've probably got the plans of every ship ever made, from a steam-driven battleship to Queen Mary II."
Terry was inspired to join after seeing the modellers sail on Wire Mill Dam when he was a child. He then came back to the hobby as an adult in the late 1970s. "It's a sociable thing. It's a good craic," he explained, adding that the research, exchanging knowledge and ideas and then making a model with your own hands was as much a part of the attraction as actually sailing the models. "And I can't think of a better location than this," he added, looking round at the park, the caf and the gathering spectators.
The society was once part of the Millhouses Park (Sheffield by the sea) leisure facility offered in the last century – the model boats were all part of the day out at Millhouses for Sheffielders. (The modellers also sailed at Wire Mill Dam in the past – now their rural location is Rivelin, near the old post office on Tuesdays).
The renewal of Millhouses Park will again make the models part of a popular day out for modern Sheffield families, said Terry.
As the morning warmed up, more modellers and more people arrived to watch. A 'Piranha' speed boat was launched and immediately shot across the lake to the delight of two small boys who tried to race it along the edge.
Then Bill Allen was persuaded to reveal the finer details of his 'Fairey Huntsman.' "Show them your working toilet, Bill," urged his colleagues, and Bill obliged with a bidet-like spout of water that may have come as surprise to the doll and wrestler model manning the poop deck.
"A friend found the boat at the back of a shed when he moved into a new house and I took it as a challenge to renovate it," said Bill. He made all the fixtures and fittings himself, from golf tees, plastic bottle tops, waste polystyrene and pizza bases.
Meanwhile the yachtsmen steered their vessels gracefully to and fro. "It's just like sailing a real yacht," said Ken Brothwell. "You need to concentrate but it's also peaceful and relaxing."
This year's aim for SSMS is to keep encouraging new (younger) members to join. Terry and other members are bringing along a few basic boats for newcomers to try. "We're finding it's getting popular for grandparents coming down with their grandchildren.".
Initially newcomers are welcome to watch or even have a go themselves, and if they want to take up the hobby, advice is always available. A new boat can be had for about 50 or even 20 second hand. Building a kit is a little more expensive, but perhaps more satisfying in the long run.
"This club's been in existence since 1937, and we don't own it," said Ken Brothwell. "We're just custodians of it for the next generation."
Sheffield Ship Model Society: meet every Sunday morning at Millhouses and may also be found on other days at Millhouses and Rivelin. Public welcome. Tel 2873662 / 2367169.
BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.
MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sheffield school massage sessions under fire
- SHEFFIELD UNITED: Blades told to turn on style in bid to regain second place: Urges Danny Wilson
- A tough-talking TV show has put the spotlight on a Sheffield restaurant. Julia Armstrong went to see what has changed...
- Biobank study will add to knowledge
- Fleetwood Mac, Sheffield Arena - REVIEW AND SLIDESHOW
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
