Model makers build new relationship with Ferndown care home

The Royal British Legion (RBL) Ferndown Model Society, entertained residents at Colten Care’s Amberwood House with an array of model planes, cars, motorcycles and even remote-controlled tanks recently.

Tony Ansell, chairman of the society explained, “We started the club in February 2016 and our membership now includes model makers of all ages, who build everything from large warships, to tanks that fire guns and even dolls’ houses.

“Amberwood House contacted us after hearing what we do and invited us along to give a presentation – and the residents have been a very enthusiastic audience.”
Assisting Tony in his presentation was fellow-society member Bev Johnson and also James Dixon, aged 10.

Tony said, “I met James and his mum in the model making aisle at Hobbycraft in Ferndown and he came along to Amberwood as a helper. We are very lucky at the club to be sponsored by Hobbycraft, which provides us with many of our model kits and also gave us some to bring as gifts for residents.”

He continued, “Young James is a very talented model maker and one day wants to drive tanks as a career.

“Needless to say the residents really enjoyed meeting him and hearing all about his model making and, we’re hoping he has inspired some of them to think about model making too.”

Amberwood House activities organiser Julia Hough, said, “Tony and James’s talk was a real success. The residents were very animated – asking questions about the specialist tools the model makers use and talking about their own family members and friends who flew some of the planes and sailed in some of the ships which were on display.

“The remote-controlled tanks which fired their guns were also a big hit and we were very grateful to receive some model making kits, which we will be attempting to build in the coming weeks.”

The RBL Ferndown Model Society meets on the last Thursday of the month at the Royal British Legion, Church Road, from 8pm. You don’t have to be a member of the Royal British Legion to join.