At our club grounds we hold an annual show in April/May and an annual exhibition in August. In addition we are now jointly organising the larger indoor exhibition at the Andrew Barclay Academy in July. The club grounds are open to visitors on Sunday mornings and we also go out to take part in local shows during the year.

During the year we visit to model railway exhibitions and preserved steam railways. Other favourite events include Fish and Chip Suppers and  the annual Christmas Dinner.

Need help with that model? The club boasts members who are experienced model makers and engineers and are sure to be able to help with that modelling problem.

We have over sixty members we welcome further new members so if you would like to find out more about the club and its activities, please get in touch and we will be only too pleased to show you round. Each section of the club has a team leader who will be happy to show you what the section does and introduce you to people. You are welcome to be involved in one section or everyone, it’s your choice!

There is a small car park adjacent to our site and others in the vicinity. In addition, Broxbourne railway station is just a few minutes walk away.

History

Hoddesdon Model & Railway Club was founded in April 1996 when the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority offered ‘Willowdene’ bungalow as a clubhouse by Dobbs Weir, Hoddesdon.

In the next 12 years the bungalow, grounds and outbuildings were restored, and indoor and outdoor model railway layouts built. So members were able to enjoy their hobbies in pleasant surroundings, by the River Lea.

However in 2008 the caravan park closed. But the Park Authority offered an alternative site at Broxbourne Meadows, Mill Lane, Broxbourne, and the club was fortunate to be awarded an ‘Awards for All’ lottery grant towards the cost of a new clubhouse.

Following the building of the new clubhouse, the fun and the hard work started in earnest, building new indoor and outdoor model railway layouts.

By 2013, membership had increased to the level where the clubhouse needed extending. In 2014, a further lottery grant enabled the club to extend the clubhouse.

Building the New Club House

Members clubbed together to research, purchase and install a new kit-based club house made from two log cabins joined together. The project was funded with a grant from The National Lottery ‘Big Lottery Fund’.

Official Opening Day, 1st May 2011

The new club site was officially opened by the Mayor of Broxbourne, Cllr. Mark Mills-Bishop