Yesterday the 22nd September 2019 I was able to take a model up to Windermere and have a play for the first time in the best part of ten years.
As probably most of the modelboating fraternity know, the old Windermere Steamboat Museum had to close its doors in 2006 for various reasons. In the intervening period all the steamboats at the museum were brought ashore and kept in controlled hibernation ready for a time when they could be repaired and returned to the water. Now having visited the museum three times this year I can confirm that this is coming to fruition.
The Marine Modelling Society paid a visit to the museum, now the “Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories” at the weekend for a visit and trip on the steam powered launch “Osprey”. While there, we were able to see the progress to date and talk to the shipwright about the ongoing restoration work on the boats. I must say that new venue is an immense improvement on the former site with much more space to display the boats and other artefacts connected to the lake and surrounding area.
The model lake has also been restored to its former glory, with new seating and gravel around the area. While I was there I took the opportunity to have a word with the powers that be about the restoration the model regatta in May. They were very receptive to this to the extent that it would be prudent to set aside the weekend of the 15th/17th May 2020, if you would like to revive old memories in the case of some of the more senior members of the model boat community, or introduce to the younger generation to the joys of sailing at such a venue.
Should everything fall into place a more formal announcement will be made here and on the museums website at:
https://windermerejetty.org/whats-on/ in the next few weeks.
LB