Basingstoke & North Hants Model Railway Society opens its new clubroom

IMAGE: (Left to Right) B&NHMRS first Chairman in 1971 Wally Stamper,  Steve Flint, Mayor Dan Puty and current Chairman Robin Gilchrist applaud the ribbon cutting marking the official opening of the new club building on September 1st, 2024.

Honorary Member of B&NHMRS, Steve Flint, officiated at the opening ceremony along with the Mayor of Basingstoke Mr Dan Putty and club members, past and present.

It had taken the Society more than 20 years of fundraising to cover the costs using income from its highly successful annual model railway exhibition and numerous donations.

With the funds fully in place, planning permission was granted in March 2023 and construction commenced in September 2023. Much of the work was carried out by the members themselves, whilst tradesmen were employed where required. Whereas in the past the members had to adhere to a layout rota, which meant individual layouts had to be erected on a monthly basis, this new building allows all the club layouts to be displayed and used concurrently.

It is hoped that the smart new building will provide a permanent base for the Society for the next 50 years enabling it to continue its annual exhibition in the town, which is held on the second weekend in March at Richard Aldworth School, Western Way, Basingstoke. Moreover, since its successful appearances in Channel 5’s The Great Model Railway Challenge in 2018, starring in the heat and the final, the Society has enjoyed a successful period of growing membership and has also undertaken commissions for display layouts from the Radio Times and Network Rail, the latter to demonstrate Safety Awareness on the UK’s railway network.

The Society has a fully inclusive policy and an active young person’s section. Further details about membership, its annual model railway show, and the new clubroom building can be found on its website:  www.basingstokemrs.org