Volunteers in race against time to spruce-up charity’s model village
SPRUCING UP the vintage miniature world of Wimborne Model Town in Dorset is no easy task as volunteers work around the clock to make sure the attraction is ready for its reopening at the end of March.
Every year, the charity attraction, which is a 1/10th scale of the centre of Wimborne as it was in the 1950s, closes for winter, for a major refurbishment, keeping it looking fresh and spick and span for the year ahead.
Development manager Greg Hoar said: “Year after year our volunteers start to get a bit worried we won’t be ready on time as it is quite a mammoth task facing us, but this year we are on track to open on March 28, as planned.
“We have a lot to do. Every year we take all the windows and shops out and refurbish, refit and repaint them. Someone calculated that we wash and repair about 1,300 windows which is no mean feat.
“We always pay close attention to detail. For example with one of our shops we make sure we replace the boxes of Quaker Oats and the Kit-Kat wrappers, it really is that detailed.
“Over the year the sun bleaches the paint and it fades, which is why we take this time for a refresh to make the centre the best we can.”
Mr Hoar admitted the weather had not been kind for the repairs this year, but said he is hoping for a dry spell at the beginning of March.
Having opened in 1951, increasing details have been added over the years and visitors can peer into the butchers and the stunning interior of the Minster Church.