The very first Sodbury Vale Model Railway Club Open Day was a success on all
counts. From the venue, to the layouts on display, to the interaction between
demonstrators and the general public, all received with positive enthusiasm.
The open day offer a platform to get local model clubs, societies and preservation societies together so that they could all network together to help and reciprocate at future events and exhibitions, with the aim to help inspire future modellers, club members and volunteers.
To promote the event beyond the normal leaflet distribution at other model railway exhibitions and posters put up around the local areas, the
exhibition committee made the decision to procure polo shirts for each attending club member. This allowed all public and exhibition staff to easily pick out an SVMRC member at the show if they wished to discuss or request anything.
There were a number of positive feedback comments about this aspect. With years of experience of putting on an exhibition, SVMRC took the risk of creating a new event, to specifically draw in a younger crowd, supported by their parents and grandparents, in a local area that is a thriving development for young couples and families. Lyde Green Community Centre has established a reputation for supporting the local community with such events as Summer Sizzlers and Christmas for Kids. It is a central hub for the community with primary and nursery schools close by. SVMRC took advantage of this location, and the use of the available additional parking at the nursery school to allow support for the exhibitors, traders and societies that were invited to
attend the event.
The general public supported the event and, despite the weather on the day and the motorway closure, we had a good and steady influx of people across all ages with over 200 attending the event. By utilising online early ticket purchases as well as cash and card payments, we gave the public a wide variety of ways to pay, with donations also coming through the online ticket portal.
The event also proved financially viable, with a mixture of sponsorships, catering and door entry takings, as well as the club sales performing well, we managed to support three charities; Alzheimer’s, Cancer Research and Children’s Hospice South West.
Finally, we wish to say a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped over the whole weekend and without them we would have not had such a successful event. Thank you to all!
