Latest news with #modelvillage
BBC News
4 days ago
- 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.
