History
Our
Society started in
1971 when a foresighted team consisting of Mr. Les Page (senior)
and his son Roy,
of Adams & Page Tyre Company fame, put
together a small exhibition of general model makers and hobbyists.
The items on display consisted of children's spinning painting machines, model buildings
from polystyrene ceiling tiles, model aircraft,
model railways and many many more.
From those early beginnings the Society was formed and initially met at the
'original' Sands Village Hall in High Wycombe. Some months passed and the
embryo of members, some of whom are still in the
Society, (What a motley crew they make as well! Ed.)
moved into the basement of Downley Village Hall and the membership grew
considerably.
Realizing that the premises were beginning to constrict the
Society and its members, some had very stiff necks after
a few hours in a space only 5ft/1.5 metres high. New
premises were sought and a move to the canteen site at
Mill End Road was put
into place.
The Society made great steps during its time at Mill End and the membership rose
to over 50. Because of the permanency, the members were able to construct
freelance layouts based on
prototypical railways, that included 'OO', 'N', 'EM' and
'O'. All scales were represented in British outline but a few modellers built
'N' and 'HO' American layouts. A number of new members were able to
construct a portable 'O' scale American layout.
Due to the requirement by Central Government, the County Council
had to demolish the canteen site.
A further move was necessary. With the help of
Wycombe District Council,
they offered Spring
Gardens School library and it became
our new home. Albeit on a
temporary term.
During 2002 a further move was anticipated as the County and Local Councils were encouraged
again by Central Government to capitalize on
their uneconomic sites, such as schools, and another move was imminent.
Urgent meetings and searches were made and a permanent home
has been found at 'Commercial Square, Leigh Street' where the Society, can now happily reside for some considerable
time.
Situated in an old
industrial furniture factory, on its top floor, the Society are rapidly making it
their new base.
HW&DMRS is
indebted to High Wycombe District Council for all their help in securing
these premises and it should be noted that without their financial support
in the form of a grant we certainly would have not been able to proceed with
this project. Our thanks go to the staff at WDC who have guided us through the
minefield. We are grateful to Bucks County Council for their patience whilst
we have been in negotiations with our future landlords.
The
photographs show the outside of the building, its entrance and room before
habitation took place. Finally the photographs show the room with all the
layouts in place.
