The origins of the Highcliffe Shows

Every year the SRCMBC Scale Section holds an exhibition at Highcliffe (Hampshire, UK) in aid of the UK Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The last (2008) show raised over £800. These newspaper clipppings record two of the early shows. (Click on the clippings for a larger view)

The first Highcliffe Show

The first "Highcliffe Show" took place at Greystones House, Highcliffe, in 1988. There was a report in the Evening Echo (Bournemouth) on Friday February 12th, 1988.

The text of the newspaper article says:

"SEA-LOVERS and landlubbers got together in Highcliffe for an exhibition of hand-crafted model ships. More than 50 vessels were on show at the first-ever Solent Model Yacht Club exhibition at Greystones House, Highcliffe.

From Humble tugs to liners, and from battleships to submarines, the craft were displayed in all their splendour. But it was the liner Sea Princess which scooped pride of place. It took more than 4,000 hours to perfect over a period of three years. And for the local man who made it, the only chance to get the detail just right was to take a Mediterranean cruise on the actual ship. A seven-foot submarine also held a special place for visitors to the exhibition.

Mr. Bob Jeffries said: "It has given us a chance to show off our handiwork and get together. We all get a lot of satisfaction working with our hands and making something."

Others on show included paddle steamers, barges, and speedboats. The model section of the Solent Radio Controlled Model Boat Club meet at Setley Lake on Thursday and Sunday mornings to test their boats.

Highcliffe Show, 1996

The 1996 Highcliffe Show took place in the Methodist Hall, Lymington Road, Highcliffe (where it still takes place to this day). The report was in the Evening Echo (Bournemouth) on Thursday March 14th, 1996.

The text of the newspaper article says:

Trawling for members FISHING trawlers, submarines, and lifeboats were crammed into a church hall to help raise money for the RNLI at the weekend. More than 40 intricate model boats, painstakingly made by members of the Solent Model Boat Club, were on show at the Methodist Hall in Lymington Road, Highcliffe.

Richard "Harbourmaster" Graham said: "It can take up to two years to make a model boat. Most boats are fully radio controlled although some are electric or steam driven. We sail them on Setley Pond, near Brockenhurst, every Sunday. Last year we raised £550 for the RNLI and although none of the boats on show is for sale, we rely on people making donations."

Richard is called the "Harbourmaster" because he constructs a miniature harbour on Setley Pond every summer.

He said: "We build boats because it's pure enjoyment and provides an escape from our everyday jobs. A trawler I recently built is worth £800 but I wouldn't sell it for anything." The club, which has 50 members, is always looking for new recruits....