SWA
CHARTWELL MODEL BOAT SHOW 25TH-26TH JUNE IN CONJUNTION
WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST. 2nd
WORLD WAR WEEK-END
For the 8th year running the
SWA held its boating week-end lakeside, in the beautiful grounds of Chartwell
House, Westerham, Kent. The grand and historic home of our
late Prime Minister. Sir Winston Churchill.
The house and grounds are set in rolling
downs with superb views of the Kent Countryside. At the bottom of the estate
grounds is a large lake just perfect for running model boats. We were able to
erect our new large Gazebo right next to the lake side, ideal for launching the
models just feet away. The lake even has a hard edge just, so launching is safe
and we can even have several boat tables adjacent to the edge.
The new SWA Gazebo has a full set of
side windows in case of inclement weather. However we were blessed with 2 dry
and sunny days so it stayed open each day. Believe it or not we had rain storms
on the Thursday before and Tuesday after, in this part of Kent. How lucky was
that. In fact we can only remember one show that has ever had rain. Let’s hope
2012 will be as dry and sunny as usual.
Again this year we shared the site with a
Local Section of Home Guard enthusiasts complete with a fully laid out Army
Camp, weapons and equipment. Also up on
the House Veranda a military band played each day to entertain the crowds.
Finally to end the Second World War theme we even had our own Spitfire do a fly
pass in front of the house. During the week-end 3,750 people attended the
property and I think every one of them came down to the lake to visit our
static display and demonstrations on the lake. We had boats on the lake between
10am and 5pm each day and tried to have at least 4 models running at all times.
Fortunately no yellow cards were issued this year.
As in previous years we had a large turn
out of SWA members and their partners attending and as a result were able to
show over 50 wonderful models on display. We were also able to show the
visitors a complete cross section of all different Naval Craft, from various
small 12” motor torpedo boats to a large 3 metre Aircraft Carrier, both on
static display and running on the water. Plus numerous other
types of craft.
This show has become a truly
international event with SWA members from Switzerland, France, Scotland, Wales,
and England. As previous years we were indebted to Jessie Walker and her family
members who camped overnight by the gazebo to guard the models. Jessie is the
widow of our late lamented member Jim Walker and she was kind enough to bring
some of Jim’s magnificent models, to show the visitors both on and off the
water. The family really are a “STAR”
for all this effort they put in, on all our behalf’s to keep our models safe
and sound.
The Chartwell
Authorities have already expressed their thanks and appreciation for the
excellent and professional manner the SWA put on this Boat Show each year for
their customers. They have already had a large number of positive comments from
the general public about how they enjoyed the week-end. We have already been
invited back next year, so keep an eye on the QDR later in the year for details
and dates of next years visit. So those members who have not
attended this venue, how about it for 2012. Remember you don’t even have
to book, just turn up with your models for a fun week-end. You can even just
attend for a day if it’s more convenient.
It has become a tradition for members and
their partners to visit a local tavern on Saturday evening for a pleasant meal
and wind down after a hectic days sailing. This is also an ideal opportunity
for members to have a good chinwag with old friends who they only see at
various venues throughout the year. Finally I would personally like to thank
all the members who attended this year, for their help and co-operation to make
this event such a success. Several members said that this show must be one of
the best and most pleasant to attend throughout the year. More like a mini
holiday with boats they say.
Just after I finished typing up this
report the following E-Mail was received from the National Trust
:-
Dear
Barry,
I'd like to take the opportunity to offer
a huge thank you to you and
your fellow members of SWA for coming to
the Wartime Weekend last
weekend. The feedback from the public this
year has been fantastic, you
even got a mention on twitter! As always
your association conducted
themselves fantastically and
were an absolute pleasure to have at
Chartwell. There really is
something quite special about seeing the
boats whizzing across the water from the
terrace, especially when the
sun is shining.
I will take on board some of the comments
made, we are already looking
towards next year and hoping to make some
really positive additions.
I
hope your members enjoyed it as much as we did and you and your boats
travelled home safely.
Your generosity and presence was hugely
appreciated so please pass on my
thanks to all involved.
With
very best wishes
Hannah
Barry
Chapman