History

The SANDWELL MODEL BOAT CLUB came into being in January 1992 with the dissolution of the BAGGERIDGE MODEL BOAT CLUB. The origins of the current club were in Sandwell, West Midlands in the late 1970's. The SANDWELL MODEL AIRCRAFT AND BOAT CLUB sailed their craft at Millfields Pool, Wednesbury, West Midlands. Due to pollution of that pool from local sources the club was forced, after a time without "water", to move to Darlaston Lane, Bilston, near Wolverhampton.
When that pool was fenced off for safety reasons, Baggeridge Country Park, near Wolverhampton, West Midlands was being opened by Princess Anne. There was a pool designated for model boats.
After several pleasant years at Baggeridge, in 1991, due to the growing encroachment of weed, which became impossible to clear manually, and it's doubtful long term future with silting-up, the membership decided to move to Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich.
We had been asking permission to use the pool for a few years as we had given demonstrations at various Sandwell community shows there. We hope that we have now found a permanent home and, although we cannot use 'Internal Combustion' or 'Flash Steam' boats, except at designated shows, we hope we provide entertainment, with scale models, tug towing and fast electric racing boats, to those people walking through the park at weekends. Potential members who are disabled can be assured of a welcome and given assistance. We hope to have a ramp to the jetty installed in the near future - one day - maybe - if !
In 1993 some youths set fire to the Council's Victorian boathouse and at the same time destroyed all the club's equipment. Due to the hard work of many members we have replaced that equipment and now look forward to entertaining audiences in events throughout the country, although the boathouse has never been replaced. - we may be getting a fountain in the pool instead!!
Boats competing in fast-electric ‘junior’ races are capable of speeds up to 40 m.p.h. and provide an exciting spectacle. Even the most skilled controllers have trouble avoiding collisions when 8 or 10 boats are trying to get to the same buoy at once. The faster formulas are even more impressive with mind-blowing speeds. Apart from lack of storage at poolside the pool is ideal.
Besides the usual array of tugs and warships - including King Charles I's great ship "Sovereign of the Seas" - there are lifeboats, fishing boats, submarines, launches and racing boats.
Whenever possible we try to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - a cause dear to our hearts.