PICTURES: Grand turnout at Caithness Model Club’s annual show in Wick
The Caithness Model Club (CMC) held its annual show at the Norseman Hotel in Wick and donated an impressive £1500 to local charities.
Exhibitors had their usual colourful displays of agricultural machinery, cranes, model railways and dioramas, with many travelling many miles from across the country to attend.
Two cheques for £750 were handed over to Claire Clark from Caithness Community Connections (CCC) and Elaine Fraser from Caithness Rural Transport (CRT) by CMC chair Kenny Gunn and show manager Davie Mackenzie on Sunday afternoon.
Kenny said: “This money comes from last year’s takings.
“Every year we raise money in Caithness and we try to put it back out into the Caithness community. I met Claire, and she told me about what kind of work she does. I said I would put it forward at our next meeting that we will support her.”
Kenny stressed the importance of supporting local good causes. Last year, the club supported Cats Protection, KWK9 Rescue, Thurso Lifeboat and Wick Lifeboat with £500 going to each charity.
Show manager Davie Mackenzie had chosen the rural transport charity, and Kenny chose the other. “I do a bit of driving for them and they do a great service for the public,” said Davie.
“In the past, I worked with the elderly, and it’s really needed.”
Claire from CCC thanked the model club and said the £750 cheque was “very much appreciated”.
“It will help support running our youth clubs in Thrumster and Lybster.”
Elaine from the CRT charity said the money would be put towards running costs. “We are trying to raise funds for new buses, so some of it may go towards that as well.”
Davie said the model club show had done very well on the Sunday despite a “slow start” the day before. “By last night, we had raised in the region of £1200. By tonight, the estimation is we’ll make over £2000.
“We have to pay for the hall along with soup and sandwiches, but everyone pays for their own accommodation. A lot of thanks must go to the Norseman for the support they’ve given us over the years. They’re very, very good and the staff are excellent. It’s unbelievable.”
Davie and Kenny said there may be even more money in the pot for next year’s charities.
The show had a huge array of items being exhibited, with many models being painstakingly crafted by hand. Kenny said that though many of the same people come along to the annual event, there is always something different to see as well.
