Model Railway exhibition, Leas Cliff Hall
Saturday 3rd October and I am visiting the 38th Annual Model Railway Exhibition of the Folkestone, Hythe & District
Andrew Green of the Folkestone, Hythe & District Model Railway Club
Model Railway Club at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. I am accompanied by my husband John Hall and a young friend, Thomas. ‘Prepare to be amazed,’ says Andrew Green of the Club as he welcomes us. And I am.
I did not expect the exhibition to be quite so big. The stands of people selling models and exhibiting layouts fill the gallery, the main hall and the Channel suite. The exhibitors have come from all over the country but there are also some local firms including Penkraft from Morehall. Another exhibitor tells me he has been coming to the Folkestone event for over thirty years.
Karen Ingelbrecht of Penkraft, Thomas and Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council
There are also plenty of visitors including many youngsters. The Model Railway Club has catered for its younger enthusiasts by offering ‘hop-ups’ for hire – small stools which allow the smaller folk to get a better view of the models.
Youngsters in need of a hop up
We tour all the stands and eventually Thomas and I make our way to the ride-on train in one of the galleries above the hall and enjoy a short ride.
It is a an amazing show with models of great intricacy and detail and we are fortunate that the Folkestone , Hythe and District Model Railway Club organise such a major event in our district every year. Andrew Green tells me that the club meets regularly and would be delighted to welcome new members, The website is www.folkestone-mrc.com
The 'ride-on' train in the gallery
