Looking at a model society

The cars were raced on a newly-built permanent track and re-fuelling on some models was by hypodermic syringe.

Many people enjoyed making models of different types, and during the last century (doesn't it seem odd saying that when referring to the 1900s?) a local society formed to that end held many exhibitions of its work. Here, DENIS O'CONNOR, of Forton Avenue, Breightmet, tells the story of that society, and how lack of interest forced it to close in 1980.

THE BOLTON and District Model Engineering Society, originating in 1930, reached its pinnacle coinciding with the 1951 Festival of Britain celebrations, gradually fading away into obscurity.

In 1980 it disappeared altogether when the last two members wound-up its affairs.

A society of a similar name was founded in 1903 by a Mathew Taylor of Lower Heys, Smithills, and five other model engineers. In March, 1933, the society, now 20 strong, held an open day at Taylor's home, and the Evening News on the 27th, printed a photograph of locomotives built by members, on display on a 30yd track in the garden. Hoping for additional members, it was announced that the Society wished to establish a communal workshop for those with limited resources, or space, at their homes.

Little activity was recorded during the Second World War years, revival coming in 1945 with 45 members anticipating expansion. A Mr Dawson of Farnworth was Secretary and Mr T P Longworth, proprietor of Wm Longworth & Sons of Folds Road, roller makers (a specialised branch of textile engineering) considered as senior member. He had been awarded the Silver Medal at the 1905 Model Engineers Exhibition in London for his 4-4-0 side tank locomotive.

An under 18s section was formed in June, 1945, and an exhibition held in Great Moor Street School between August 1-4 1945. This cost the Society £4.10.0 (£4.50) for 'room and caretaker services'. Success may be judged by the fact of a donation of £70 to the St Dunstan's Hospital for Blind Ex-Servicemen, probably in remembrance of some member's recent experiences over the past four years.

At a meeting in June, 1946, the possibility of acquiring land for a multi-gauge railway track was discussed; the Bury Model Railway Society was contacted for some form of joint ownership of land at Bradley Fold, but nothing materialised, the matter being resolved in May, 1947, when the Parks Department offered, free of charge, a section of Leverhulme Park close to the railway cutting and Long Lane.

With £100 in hand, tenders were invited for the supply and erection of concrete supports for an 880 yard rectangular track, with an extra short section, for steaming locomotives, and linked to the main line by points.

Also, with £120 profit from the year's exhibition, the manufacture of passenger carrying bogies, and tracks to accommodate locomotives of 5in., 3in., 2in., and 1in. gauges by means of four rails, suitably spaced, went ahead. At the same time, a 70ft. diameter model racing car track, with safety fence and timing apparatus, was laid down and was equal to 24 laps per mile.

The official opening came on July 17, 1948, and the 76 adult and 36 junior members agreed on one monthly weekend meeting from spring to autumn, the remaining weekends for visiting societies and individual members' use.

Periodically the idea of a society workshop had been discussed; and for a short time a Farnworth cottage had been rented for juniors with '00' gauge railway interests, plus instruction in lathe work by senior members on a 3" centre lathe (this is a standard designation for lathes and indicates the maximum radius which can be accommodated in a straight-bed lathe).

Then, in November 1948, the cellars of a turf accountant at 174 Newport Street were occupied until closure in April, 1952. A successful exhibition in 1949 made a profit of £280, and, as the membership list showed 86 adults and 47 juniors, the purchase of an Ellam's duplicator was agreed so that a Monthly magazine, 'The Valve', could be produced.

Just who was to type the stencils and be responsible for the messy operation of the machine is not known. Late in 1949 a £100 donation "to be used to the advantage of model making as a memorial to a deceased model engineer", was spent on a Silver Cup for the best model at the Annual Exhibition. As the donation was anonymous, the Society decided that it be named the 'Hayes Trophy' after Mr C P Hayes, a pioneer model engineer, possibly known as a member.

1950 arrived with the promise of great things; President T P Longworth announced his intention to build a society locomotive; Bolton Corporation, in recognition of the Society's work with young boys, made an annual grant of £24; the model car section, later in the year, won the 'Altrincham Shield' for best performance at a recent Meet; September saw the Society hosting the Northern Area Championship of the Model Car Association. The Newport Street workshop was reported to be in full use with a number of locomotives under construction.

On this overall basis, the Society's 71 adult and 24 junior members (note the reduced membership) agreed to mount a major exhibition as their contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain celebrations, so, between July 28 and August 11, 1951, 414 exhibits in 34 classes, ranging from locomotives and rolling stock, steam and other powered boats, hydroplanes, internal combustion and steam engines, model racing cars, engineering tools and apparatus and model aircraft were displayed.

Approaches to local engineering firms for assistance resulted in Robert Watson and De Havilland Propellers donating cups and prizes. Hick Hargreaves, Thomas Ryder, B & F Carter and Wm Longworth & Sons combining to present 'The Bolton Engineering Trades Group Trophy' and prize.

Then, for unaccountable reasons (the sparse extant records give no clue), the Society began to fall apart with interest in both tracks and workshop declining, and, by the end of 1952, the latter was closed and contents disposed of to members.

A total lack of new members by September, 1953, plus the fact that no more exhibitions had been held, raised the question of continuity.

Some general maintenance had been done to both tracks in the hope of attracting new members, but to no avail. Failure was evident in 1955 when the Bolton Corporation ended its annual grant.

Subsequently, the Parks Superintendent wrote to the Society in August 1955 asking for future plans for both tracks. The reply sealed their fate when the society offered them to the Parks Department, who declined the offer. Later in the month, the society was asked "that arrangements be made for their disposal".

In January 1956, the railway track was given to the Urmston Model Railway Society. The concrete posts and the model car track were broken up and thrown away, the Anderson Air Raid Shelter, used as a store, was given to the

Leverhulme Park Superintendent. Membership had dropped to 21 adults and two juniors who met in a room at the Y.M.C.A. Deansgate to discuss matters of interest.

Further reduction in membership continued and between 1956 and 1962 only an average of six attended. This situation continued until 1980, when the last two members closed the society and distributed its assets to nominated charities and other societies.

The Bolton Museum has on public view a magnificent memento of this forgotten Society in the shape of a scale, coin-operated, working model of the 'San Pareil' made by one of the two last members, the late J B L Worthington, M.I.C.E.

Note -- The 'San Pareil', designed by Timothy Hackworth (1786-1850), was driven by him at the 1829 Rainhill Locomotive Trials. It later ran on the Bolton-Leigh Railway until 1844. After rebuilding, it was later on presented to the Science Museum, London, by Hick Hargreaves & Co.