Latest news with #modelvillage
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC The Repair Shop's experts restore model village's church
A historic model church that had fallen into disrepair has been restored by experts who work on the BBC's Repair Shop model village, at Spears Cross, Somerset, was created by Llewellyn Pluck 50 years ago and was so popular it even appeared on postcards. Several decades after the miniature village was dismantled, Llewellyn's granddaughter, Sarah Gardner, turned to social media to track down some of the original ten months, she found the model of Culbone Church and then contacted The Repair Shop producers who agreed to restore it. She said: "I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired."The BBC series shows a workshop filled with expert craftspeople who bring loved pieces of family history back to life. Ms Gardner said her granddad "needed a bit of a hobby" while running the guest house."He opened the model village to the general public which they loved. It was a real labour of love over years," Ms Gardner eventually discovered the model church had been kept in an allotment."It had been outside for 50 years so it was in a really bad state," she added. Ms Gardner contacted the Repair Shop about two years ago and they approached her in early April."I put it in the back of my shed and it got to the point that my husband said we need to get rid of it," Ms Gardner said."I couldn't put it out in my garden, it was too badly damaged. And then suddenly I got the call."I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired. If there are any out there, please get in contact."The episode featuring the model church will air on BBC One at 20:00 BST.
The Sun
20-07-2025
- The Sun
The retro model theme park that was like a ‘mini wonderland' – here's what it was like to visit as a child
A FORMER amusement park in Bournemouth used to be home to "Europe's largest model landscape" with Big Ben and a mechanical Tower Bridge. The model village of Tucktonia opened back in 1976 and included an array of different landmarks such as Admiralty Arch, Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge. 6 6 6 Some of the models even moved, including Tower Bridge, which opened and closed to allow boats to pass through. A model of an airport also was mechanical with planes actually travelling along the runway. But the model village didn't just feature big landmarks, it also had a Cornish village, Kellogg's factory and a motorway flyover. At the time, the attraction was dubbed "the best of Britain in Miniature", according to an advert for the destination. One woman, Emma Cansdale from Waltham Abbey used to visit regularly as a child. The 52-year-old told Sun Travel: "As an eight-year-old it was like a mini wonderland. "Back then I loved the quaintness of model villages and miniature railways. Emma added: "I remember it was a hot summer day spent following the map to find the different attractions and eating ice cream." Across the village, there were over 200 models made from fibre glass and steel and it cost £2million to develop - about £13.5million now. The attraction took two years in total to plan and build. Best of British: Bournemouth's beach and vibrant city life is the perfect getaway And for little ones, there was Railriders club - which Emma was part of. "One of the reasons we went to Tucktonia was to pick up a sticker for my Railriders sticker book as they were participating in that scheme," Emma added. Old maps of Tucktonia Leisure Park that Emma has, show what featured at the 21acre site. And it wasn't just the model village - it also had a number of other attractions including fairground rides, a fun slide, boating lake, an amusement arcade, crazy golf, a go-kart track and a mini cinema. One leaflet even claims the park was home to "Europe's largest model landscape". Another poster claims it was "the greatest model Britain in the world". 6 According to Dorset Life, some famous faces made appearances at the park too. Comedian and magician Tommy Cooper and actor Jon Pertwee visited in 1978. Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin also hosted the BBC 's Multi-Coloured Swap Shop live from the park. Then in 1985, it was used as a film set for the alien movie Lifeforce - a sci-fi horror by Tobe Hooper, who also created The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Some believe that a number of the models were destroyed as part of the filming, whilst others claim that whilst the village was used as a set, the buildings destroyed in the film were actually different models created by the visual effects team. 6 In 1980, Alton Towers opened and many believed that this immediately had an impact on the number of visitors at Tucktonia. In the following years, the park changed ownership more than once and then in 1986, the park closed - just a decade after the model village had first opened. The site's buildings and fixtures were then all cleared to make the land available for a pub. In 2003, the site then transformed again into a number of retirement flats and homes. One fan of the park commented on social media: "What a fab place it was... Big childhood memories, very sad when it closed." Another added: "Absolutely loved Tucktonia. As a child these places were so exciting." There is also an abandoned £118million fairytale theme park that would have been a Disneyland rival – but closed after four years. Plus, Universal's UK theme park plans have dropped – here's what you can expect including nightclubs and film studios. 6
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Southsea Model Village seeks new owners as family plan step down
A miniature seafront village attraction is looking for a new Model Village, which boasts 40 miniature buildings, houses, forts and castles including Portsmouth's Guildhall and Spinnaker Tower, opened at Lumps Fort, Eastney Esplanade, in a post on its Facebook page, it said the decision came with "a heavy heart".The family, who have owned and run the 1:12 scale village for 10 years, said it hoped the "truly special piece of local history" would be taken on by another family. The statement added: "As a family, we have cherished owning and operating this special place for the past 10 years, but since the passing of our dear dad Ian, things just haven't felt the same."It was always our dream for the village to remain a family affair, and now we feel it is time to pass this incredible opportunity on to someone new."The attraction, which has a price tag of £82,000, is being offered with a 19-year lease and comes with a cafe and its current team of village was subject to vandalism in 2021 and 2023 when rail tracks were ripped up, trees torn out of the ground and windows fundraising efforts, repairs were made and further CCTV put in. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Beaconsfield students design figures for oldest model village
New residents have moved in to what is believed to be the world's oldest model at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, were tasked with designing a new set of characters for Bekonscot, a nearby model village built in the eight weeks of work, 12 handmade puppets were crafted - including a fortune teller, zookeeper and deep-sea diver named Seymour versions which were the same scale as the village were made by Bekonscot's lead figure maker, Lauraine Crowther. Visitors to the attraction can see all 12 puppets on display until August, with the mini versions dotted around the National Film and Television School is renowned for former students finding success in the entertainment pupils include Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit, and Mark Baker - the co-creator of Peppa Pig. Bekonscot opened publicly in 1929 was visited by Queen Elizabeth II during her were asked to make the designs of the character match the 1930s theme of the model managing director of Bekonscot, Brian RJ Newman-Smith, said: "As two iconic brands, based in Beaconsfield, with a century of history between us, this partnership is a natural and exciting synergy. "Working with their exceptional model making team is an incredible opportunity and we can't wait to bring our shared passion to life." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
