Those who know the chairman of WMBC would by no means describe him as 'little', but I'm sure Hitler fits the bill, as does megalomaniac.
He did me a great favour, as my current club is totally different. The Chairman and Secretary are always approachable and ready to give advice and help where needed and in my three years I have never found any problems with other members.
If you visit WMBC website you will see that they haven't sailed for months, whereas we have been active as and when covid regulations permit. This is down to the hard work of our Committee.

Sounds like a little Hitler involved Steve - lots of those in this world unfortunately. As a retired Forensic Accountant I would be very suspicious of such activity.

Learnt over the years that there are very few people who like to run clubs (other than those who do so for their own aggrandisement and personal gain) or to be on committees - usually left up to a stalwart few. I am lucky enough to still be an honorary member of SRCMBC although I left in 2009. The Scale Section Captain is trying to step down due to poor health after nearly 20years but its difficult to find a replacement. The long suffering treasurer is still there after volunteering in the early 2000's - as are most of the other committee members. The club website was set up and run by a member who is also a member of the Coast Watch which takes up a lot of his time. There is a lot involved in running the club as it uses Setley Pond in the New Forest - which falls under Forestry rules and regulations - plus coping with the usual Mother Grundy's amongst the local residents who complain about the slightest noise.................

Where I live now the nearest other model boater is about 170km away - so its good to keep up with things through the club newsletters, MB magazine and the model boating websites.

Thank's Steve for sharing the information about your club. Enjoyed viewing the boats of your members.
Rick

Hi Colin
As you know, I was a founder member of WMBC and served on the committee as treasurer.
My tenure only lasted a short time.
At my first AGM in post I started to collect subscriptions for the following year. I was rudely interrupted by the Chairman, also a founder member and who had elected himself, walking past with his partner, who had just been unlawfully elected membership secretary.
His passing remark was "Don't bother with that, waste of time!"
He then set up at another table with his 'membership secretary' and started collecting subscriptions.
I could tell many more stories about his 'rule', so current events do not surprise me in the slightest.
I resigned and joined Gloucester Model Boat Club.
I have been there some years now and have been more than happy with all involved. There are three sailing venues, including Gloucester Docks.
Google maps tell me that the venue at Over is 25miles from you or a 45 minute drive. There is easy access including wheelchairs.
You will find more here https://gdmbc.co.uk

Hope this helps

Steve

Rick, that's the attitude of most modellers I've encountered over my 60+years of modelling, and I love trying to encourage others.
My models aren't museum quality but built with love and sailed with pride.
Cheers Colin.

For me I joined a club for information and help. It turned out there were areas I could help others. If you being part of the club helps other that is a bonus.
Positive support is the right thing to do.
Rick

This is why I like my current model boat club, I have a habit of building model boats that don't adhere to any prototypes and are purely freelance as do some of said club's members. One of the long standing members made a floating kitchen sink!
The aim when building and sailing them is to have fun! I haven't had a cross word said about any of my craft (at least not to my face) so can only assume they bring an element of joy to others as well.
If you have a difference of opinion or grievance with another member then resolve with it appropriately, not drag the rest of the club into it and spoil things for others.

Colin lets hope the club is continuing.The Park sounds like it would be fun for all ages.
Rick

That's the one Ron, but these were listed before the split, and as yet to be confirmed. I hope that it will be settled soon as they usually have some great events at the home venue, Cob House Country Park.
There is a lakeside cafe, a children's activity playground, mini zoo and great open playing field. Also some great fishing lakes.
Entry to the park and grounds is free.
Cheers Colin.

Is this the same group?
https://www.worcestermodelboatclub.com/wmbc-events

They have some 2021 events planned.

Can I suggest that when the new WMBC emerges, somebody posts on their page in 'Boat Clubs and Lakes' some details about the club, where and when you meet, contact information, are visitors welcome and any other information you think may be of interest.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Colin, The official club days are Saturday and Tuesday tenish to oneish , often there are people staying on and arriving after that. we can sail any other time apart from Sunday mornings when another club has the use. I don't know if we will hold an open day this year, but I hope so, that would be best for you as you would have the whole day and the attendance of the mobile sausage roll vehicle to look forward to. Thinking about it, you are only about ten miles further away from Barry than we are.

Cheers, Nerys

Nerys.
Good post.
This is exactly what we need,the camaraderie to help each other out.
Brilliant 👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

Thanks Nerys, I did check on Google earth an it looks great.
I would love to bring a few boats for a day trip.
What times and days do your club meet at lake. It's always nice to visit like minded modellers.
Your club open day sounds like a possibility, if I can be sure of not being needed by the family.
Cheers Colin.

Colin, it sounds as if your club is going to pull through this bit of nonsense. It's not unusual for this sort of dissent to occur, but in WMBC it looks as if the club is going to be reborn without too much change. I hope so for your sake, but if, until things settle down, you feel like visiting another club, Vale of Glamorgan would always welcome you. It's 68 miles from Hereford to Barry, large lake, easy access, good parking. Contact Ken beforehand so that he can be on the look out for you to unlock the barrier.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Colin and JB.
I agree.
I gave up being a member of a club many years ago, for the very reason that as has been said there are so many jobsworths who are dictatorial in their attitude.
There has to be a balance and a little give and take.
I sail at Double locks in Exeter and it is a fantastic place to sail.
There are always so many people who are fascinated by my various boats.
I often allow the interested children to have a go (heart in mouth that my two year project is in the hands of a child who keeps saying,why won’t it go faster,Mister!!)
It is just by coincidence that the Double Locks has a rather nice Pub next to it and grateful parents often buy me a half for entertaining their child.
Some have rekindled their passion for boating as a result which is good.
It is such a shame that clubs are going by the board.
Regards Bill.

Totally agree JB, my problem is that there aren't any public pond within easy travelling distance to me, plus the ones I've managed to find are so weedy that they are not suitable, or access isn't viable for elderly or disabled people.
So I enjoy the use of club waters knowing that they are usually safe with easy access and insured.
Up till now I hadn't noticed any problems with other club members, in fact those that I interacted with were a really good bunch.
I like to think that I represent old school modelling and I try to encourage anyone who shows an interest, I've often handed over control of my boats to the youngsters that have stood watching, and it usually ends up with all sorts of questions about the hobby and how to get started.
Admittedly my boats being vintage rarities don't whiz round the pond like some, but the kids and their families usually enjoy, and it gives me a chance put forward a hobby that I enjoy.
Cheers Colin.

Probably the reason clubs everywhere are declining, you find narcissistic power tripping little Hitlers in almost every club with a "Now hear this" attitude, who think everyone should obey them. Every club I've been in has had one or two, which is why I don't bother with clubs now, (I'm not paying good money to be told how I will 'play' with my model,- plane or boat) I just please myself now and sail/fly where I can and maintain common sense safety habits (especially with planes).

There are virtually no boat clubs in NZ now, and a dwindling number of plane clubs round the country. These are overseen by the NZMAA (New Zealand model Aeroplane Association) which has its' own Hitlers deciding what modellers must do (rules etc) without any real discussion with those affected. The whole modelling scene has been pretty much destroyed by rules, and young people are just not bothering. At least we can still take our boats to virtually any public pond, (but a lot harder with planes now) whenever we want, but the tree huggers, moaners and control freaks will one day probably kill that enjoyment, along with everything else fun they have destroyed. Happy happy happy, joy joy joy😁

JB

Colin.
As it says WMBC is still a club and very much alive.
I think if it was me i would wait until things settle down a bit.
Reading in-between the lines the could be more fun and games to come.
It would be like treading on egg shells for a while.
Fingers crossed it will become good and you can go back to enjoying the hobby.

Martin555.

Update just received,
Cheers Colin.

Well said Will, personal agendas shouldn't interfere with the enjoyment of the hobby.
Cheers Colin.

Sorry to hear this Colin,
It is hard enough finding somewhere to float our boats these days without having this sort of thing going on.

Martin555.

Hear hear Will 👍
😎

It's a shame to read of when things within clubs etc get nasty and personal insults etc start being thrown around.
Life is too short, why can't people get on with their own lives and let others do the same thing 🙄
I presume that any who attend model boat clubs and events are there because they all share a common interest.
Lets just all have fun and enjoy our hobbies, whatever they may be.

Will