November 2023 was the twentieth anniversary since the formation of March & District Model Railway Club and we celebrated the event at our Westry clubroom on Wednesday evening with a small social gathering. Primarily a notice had been circulated around the town shops of March with a short article in the local newspaper asking if anybody in the district was interested in forming a model railway club. The response was very positive and a first meeting was held in King William public house opposite a small open only weekends and odd evening model railway shop on High Street. Interest grew and we soon had to search for a larger venue to have regular weekly meetings. We held our first exhibition in March 2006 and this has become an annual event as has a regular Open Day held usually in October. The membership has grown and we support other local (sometimes distant) clubs taking Club and members layouts to their own exhibitions. Additionally we have built an O gauge layout funded by grants from the local council to visit care homes for residents to operate a railway similar to the steam locomotives and rolling stock they remember so well. Only three of the original members remain members including our President, one of the founders partly responsible for circulating the notice around the area, Brian Wakeling.
A few treats at tea time with a cake cutting ceremony attended by our local Fenland Advertiser newspaper photographer Adam Fairbrother recording events enjoyed seeing some of the Club layouts on display.
The nicely decorated cake depicting LNER Flying Scotsman (actual 00 gauge model) standing atop ballast and landscape scenery made from icing.
A few other photos (not many as too busy cake tasting!) of layouts on display during the evening.
Our late Chairman's war themed layout Fenton St Clare in 7mm Narrow Gauge.
Another 7mm Narrow Gauge layout Ardgowan (sometimes noted as a very appropriate name).
Nene Sidings, another 00 gauge layout used as a shunting puzzle for exhibtion and taking to care homes.
Work in progress 00 gauge layout Legion Yard.
Just a date for your diaries ............. Saturday March 9th 2023. Hope to meet you there!
