Roker Park model boat club
We recently met with Roker Park model boat club treasurer Alan and asked him to give us more information about the club.
Located in the Northwest corner of Roker Park, the City of Sunderland Model Engineering Society have been giving rides on their railway since the late 1940's.
The present track has been in regular use since 1983.
They are open (weather permitting!) every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and are happy to take for a ride on their wonderful railway.
They don't charge for rides; and rely entirely on your very generous donations.
They also run for special events, such as the Illuminations and if you have a special event in mind, please drop in and talk to them.
The club was founded in January 2007 with the aim of promoting the building and sailing of model boats on the lake in Roker Park. The club caters for modelers of all kinds, from the absolute beginner to the expert, and always welcomes new members.
The club has the use of the bowls pavilion next to the lake where members can meet in a relaxing atmosphere for refreshments, carry out minor repairs and seek advice on any problems they have encountered on their latest project.
They have an active program of events so if you fancy taking up the hobby or simply have an old model that needs renovation come and join us at the lakeside or contact the following via the club web site at www.rokerparkmbs.co.uk
For those readers not knowing the history of the WW2 Liberty ships I provide some brief details.
With heavy losses of ships bring supplies to the UK a design by Sunderland shipbuilder MR E Thompson was taken up with almost 3,000 ships delivered into the Allied merchant fleets.
The life of these 10.000 tons deadweight tramping ships were approaching the end of their working life by the early sixties and Austin & Pickersgill of Sunderland and now part of British Shipbuilding came up with a solution, the 14,000 tons SD 14 Liberty ship replacement with over 200 ships being built between 1968 and 1988.
In October 2023 the Sunderland Maritime Museum asked if we could help with the refurbish of a model SD14 they had been donated.
Now this model is not the back of your car size it is fact 15 feet long made up in three bolts together sections.
The model was built 2008 by a MR Norman Hill of Weston - Super-Mare and then went on to be displayed around the country but was in a poor state and ready for complete repair and rebuild.
Regrettably Roker Park Model Boat Club do not have own club house and share the bowling pavilion located next to the purpose-built boating lake.
Between September and April, the bowlers go into hibernation allowing us full use of the pavilion to refurbish the SD14.
All of the superstructure was removed first and the hull sanded and repaired before being repainted.
The mast houses, hatch covers and accommodation block was refurbished by different club members at home during the winter.
Re-assembly of all the components including and all necessary electrical work started in February and project completed early March.
With limited sailing during the winter months the SD 14 model refurbish has allowed new members to get involved and see what can be achieved.
The Model SD14 is now on display at the Sunderland Maritime Museum for all to see.
Date for your diary = Sunday 30th June 24, The Friends of Roker Park which comprises of the Model Railways, Bowers and our Boat Club are holding a joint open day.
Sunderland Maritime Museum will attend and have agreed to sail the SD 14.
All are welcome.
Chairman Edmund Foster.
Secretary Mike Elwood.
Treasurer Alan Wilkinson.
Sailing Times
Sunday 9.00 - 11.00
Thursday 9.00 - 11.00.
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