So many community groups and organisations have struggled to regain a sense of normality since that first fatal lockdown of almost two years ago.
One such group is the Model Railway Club of Burgess Hill, it was marvellous to see them planning to exhibit for an open day in mid-January at Burgess Hill Theatre where they wanted to showcase a few of their models, and engaged with members of the public. The group nowadays just as they have throughout their history are always willing to share their expertise; sadly the event like many of late was cancelled, however, the club are hoping to steam forward.
The Model Railway Club is ready to steam into 2022 that much is certain, but the question is when were the engines first fired up? The answer to that takes us back to the club’s origin some seventy years ago. In the Autumn of 1951, Burgess Hill Rotary Club held a models exhibition in St. John’s Parish Hall, and during this event, a meeting was held with a view to starting a local models group. At this meeting, two possible club names were put forward, these being the Burgess Hill Model Engineering Society and the Burgess Hill Model Making Society (for the furtherance of Arts & Crafts).
The newly formed Society primarily covering model planes and trains proceeded to advertise for new members and part of this activity involved holding its first club exhibition in the town in early 1952. Model aircraft and trains formed the basis for the show which proved successful. Regular club meetings continued to be held, but in September 1954, because of the almost complete fall off of members amongst the aircraft section, it was agreed that the Burgess Hill Model Making Society (for the furtherance of Arts & Crafts) should be dissolved. A notice to this effect was duly posted in the Mid Sussex Times.
Members from the railway section remained in contact with each other and, in November 1954, they formed a group known as the Burgess Hill Miniature Railway Circle. The assets of the dissolved Burgess Hill Model Making Society (for the furtherance of Arts & Crafts) were taken over with model aircraft items being disposed of in a favourable manner. Membership steadily increased and at the club’s December 1956 Annual General Meeting it was agreed that the name should be changed to the Burgess Hill Miniature Railway Club.