Goole Model Boat Club Open Days
Formed in 1997, Goole Model Boat Club occupies a site on South Dock, Goole, where, many years ago, a pond was built for club members to exercise their fleet of impressively turned out model craft. The club meets every Saturday morning throughout the year and is opening its gates to the public as part of the Waterways Heritage Festival, which is organised by the Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society. Demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend and a small, pop-up pond will be created to allow children to try their hand at piloting model craft.
Historic Objects: Throughout the weekend, there will be opportunities to see elements of Goole’s industrial history up close. Goole Model Boat Club’s base is also the site of the iconic No 5 Coal Hoist, a Grade II-Listed Building, one of the last surviving Tom Pudding compartment boats and other items that serve as a poignant reminder of the importance played by the movement of coal in the development of the town’s port. There’s no access to the coal hoist, but it’s an impressive monument to an industry that spanned more than 150 years.
Bicentenary Flotilla Viewpoint: On the afternoon of Saturday 18 July, between 2pm and 4pm, Goole Model Boat Club will offer the perfect vantage point from which to view the Bicentenary Flotilla of Vessels. Don’t miss the chance to enter the Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society and Goole Model Boat Club’s photography competition!
Pop-up Exhibition – Railway on the Water: View an amazing collection of photographs taken in 1974 by photography student Duncan Davies, who spent a day onboard the Tom Pudding tug, Wheldale. The portfolio that he created captures the crew’s journey between Goole and Doncaster, and their return journey, loaded with coal. There will also be opportunities to see a video of the coal hoist operating have your questions answered by a former coal hoist operator.
Access during this weekend: Goole Model Boat Club will be open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 18 July and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 19 July. The site must be accessed on foot from Dutch River Side, where there is roadside parking. Please note that there is no public parking on site during this event. There is limited wheelchair access at the site and no disabled toilet.
