Hoylake Lifeboat Model Weekend Success.

Sep 22 2009

THE “Lady of Hilbre”, Hoylake Lifeboat, vacated her new home at Hoylake R.N.L.I. Station Building to make way for a model extravaganza held in the Boat Hall to raise funds for the new Lifeboat, the FCB2, which will replace her in the not too distant future.

Crowds of all ages filled the Boat hall to view layouts in ‘O’ and ‘oo’ gauges, mainly Hornby, but with additions of other makes including Basset-Lowke. Rolling stock. Both vendor’s stalls and the exhibition layouts - provided by members of the Hornby Railway Collector’s Association - attracted much attention. 

Model Boat exhibits were provided by several sources of highly skilled model makers including those from New Brighton Model Boat Club.

The largest craft on display was the Mersey Class Lifeboat “Lady of Hilbre” herself. Illuminated out on the North Slip, she made a fine sight for all local residents.

The highlight of the event was arguably the official opening of the model boating lake. The Mayor of Wirral, Andrew Hodson launched a “Star” class yacht, which was at one time manufactured in Birkenhead by the Denny family.  A model of the Oldham IV, at one time the Hoylake Lifeboat, was launched to escort her across the newly refurbished lake.