Model show raises £2000 for veterans

The North Devon Model Show, held on Sunday, August 18, at The Park Community School, Barnstaple, has once again proven to be a resounding success. 

This year's event, organised by the North Devon Model Society, saw a significant increase in attendance, with 679 visitors compared to last year's 500, and raised an impressive £2,000 for The Veteran's Charity, a Barnstaple based organisation that provides immediate support to veterans facing hardship.

What began as small-scale events held at Fremington Parish Hall for three years before the pandemic has now blossomed into the largest charity model show in the South West. 

The transformation of the North Devon Model Show can be largely credited to the leadership of Sera Staples, who joined the club in 2018 and became Chair in 2021. 

Under her guidance, and with the help of Peter Sutton, who joined as Club Secretary in 2022, the event has grown exponentially.

The show has quickly become a highlight in the South West's event calendar, doubling in size from last year to feature over fifty stands with a diverse array of models on display.

Speaking about the show's evolution, a spokesperson for the group said: “Our aim was - and still is - to broaden the appeal of modeling in all its forms. We have succeeded beyond what anyone thought possible. The North Devon Model Show is now by far the largest charity model show in the South West. The only larger shows are commercially run events at places like the Tank Museum in Bovington.”

Attendees, including local MP Ian Roome, were treated to a spectacular showcase of scale model aircraft, tanks, ships, cars, trucks, figures, sci-fi/fantasy creations, dioramas, and more. Attendees marveled at the intricate works, some built from kits, others 3D printed, and a few crafted entirely from scratch. 

The show also included model railways, war gaming, and an outdoor area with radio-controlled cars, planes, and tanks.

One of the standout exhibits was Sera Staples' 3D-printed Studio Scale Star Wars spacecraft "Slave 1," a 4-foot-high, nearly 3-foot-wide model that won the gold medal and Best Sci-Fi Model award at the International Scale Model World Show in 2022.

This year's show also featured many models and dioramas commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, highlighting the educational and historical significance of model making.

The expansion to a second hall and the addition of a radio control arena ensured that there was something for everyone, from seasoned model enthusiasts to curious newcomers.

A particular highlight of the day was the 'Make and Take' area, where 108 children had the opportunity to build and paint their own models, free of charge. 

This initiative, part of the club’s broader effort to engage the next generation of model makers, was met with great enthusiasm.

Parents watched in amazement as their children focused on creating models they could proudly take home, providing a refreshing alternative to screen time.

The exhibitors, who travelled from all over the South West and as far afield as Middlesbrough, were on hand to answer questions and share their passion for model making. 

Many visitors left inspired to take up the hobby, which is increasingly recognisedd for its positive impact on mental health for people of all ages.

The show’s success is evident not just in the funds raised but in the growth of the North Devon Model Society itself. 

Following the first major show in 2022, the society's membership doubled from 30 to 62, and this year has already seen five new members join.

“As a club, we must now be one of the biggest in the UK,” the spokesperson added.

The North Devon Model Society provides a unique social aspect to the typically solitary hobby of model making, meeting weekly rather than the more common monthly meetings of other clubs.

This regular interaction allows members to share their creations and contribute to the wider North Devon community.

As the club looks to the future, planning is already underway for the 2025 show, which is set to take place on Sunday, August 17.

With even more displays and activities planned, the North Devon Model Show promises to continue its tradition of excellence.

For more information about The Veteran's Charity, visit www.veteranscharity.org.uk.

To learn more about the North Devon Model Society or to become a member, visit www.northdevonmodelsociety.co.uk