How we started
This is part of an article and picture that appeared in the Grimsby Telegraph in April 2009
All aboard as model club sets sail
Members of a new model boating group want your help to make their idea float
Richard Barber from Grimsby has got together with about 17 other
enthusiasts to form The Cleethorpes Model Boat Association
Richard (58) said they were looking to take the membership to 25
“ As we head towards Summer we will getting together every Tuesday and
Thursday evening from 5pm to dusk
“We always get a lot of attention from members of the public who come
along to look at the variety of boats that we have
This year we have been given permission from Resort Manager Rob
Chalmers to use Cleethorpes Boating Lake”
It was after spotting such a group when he was younger that he got
interested in the hobby
“Many years ago I used to walk around the Boating Lake and see people
sailing their model boats and thought to myself “I would like to do
that”
I went to a shop, Marine Models at Caenby Corner, bought my first boat
and that was that”
Richard has a metre long Sea Wind yacht and two model wartime
Dusseldorf firefighter boats in his collection
He said enthusiasm is high among the members which include former
trawlermen and members of the merchant navy – and the hobby drew in
people from youngsters to pensioners
They are always making up model boats. Being part of a group like this
allows you to get involved with like minded people and swap tips” he
said.