Rawdon Model Boat Club open day is a huge success

A demonstration yacht race saw one model sailboat damaged below the waterline, and a Club 500 electric boat race in the afternoon had one boat flip upside down during the race.

Fortunately - though they weren't required - there were plenty of lifeboats on hand, including a full-sized rigid inflatable boat from the RNLI Bradford and Baildon Branch, accompanied by lifeboat volunteer Martin Chappelow, which proved a big draw for visitors.

RNLI representative Martin Chappellow with visitors to the open day (Image: Mike Critchlow)

Mike Critchlow from the club said: "Some of our members had been working hard to repair and refurbish our show piece harbour located in the lee of the dockside.

"It was complete and ready for operations in time for the open day on June 8th when Rawdon Model Boat Club opened it’s door to visitors for the first time this year.

"We invited our neighbours, friends from other model boat clubs and visitors from far and wide to come along and see our renewed harbour in all it’s glory, as well as to enjoy our model boats and beautiful lake."

HMS Barham passing the new harbour (Image: Mike Critchlow)

There were warships, notably HMS Barham and HMS Nelson sailing near the dock. Both ships served with distinction during World War II.

Mike added: "We had tugs and cruiser, cutters and ketches and all sorts of craft. If you missed our June Open Day, fear not! We are going to host another open day in August on the 24th.

"Entry is free and I look forward to seeing you there. We are a friendly group of people of all ages and backgrounds with a common enthusiasm for model boating in all it’s various guises. We are a club that embraces all aspects of model boat building and sailing."

Port Rawdon (Image: Mike Critchlow)

The club operates a wide range of model craft, from racing yachts to scale schooners, pleasure boats to cargo ships, and warships to lifeboats.

Mike said: "There has been a model boat club on Larkfield Tarn since the early 1930s, The original club known as The Bradford Model Yacht club was formed in 1886 and after a number of years sailing on other lakes and ponds they settled on Larkfield Tarn.

"The club has gone through good times and bad over their long history and has changed its name a few times to suit the changing fashions of model boating, but today we are the proud owners of one of the best clubs in the North of England."