Church renovations leave modellers homeless

A model railway club says it faces an uncertain future after being told to move out of a church as the building prepares to close for renovations.

Hessle Model Railway Club must vacate Tower Hill Methodist Church by 30 October, forcing members to search for a new venue.

Club secretary Ian Rumford said: "If we can't find somewhere to go, a bit of local history is going to disappear."

A church spokesperson said: "The maintenance works are urgently required and, given the scale of the works being undertaken, we cannot confidently say when the church will re-open."

The club, which has been running for more than 40 years, was based in Hessle Town Hall for 20 years, before moving to the Methodist Church about five years ago.

Rumford said the group had not met since July because the church had been closed for electrical work.

After receiving notice to vacate the building on Wednesday, Rumford said: "We're very annoyed about it. We're in limbo."

The church spokesperson added: "As we undertake urgent, large-scale renovations project to secure the future of Tower Hill church hall, we have had to sadly make the decision to close the site at this present time.

"We have asked all those hiring the hall to arrange a mutually convenient time to come and collect any items they have by the end of the month."

They added: "We appreciate the important role that the church has played in the life of our hirers and the wider community and are committed to proceed with the urgently required maintenance."

The spokesperson said the church continues to meet at the Town Hall.

Rumford said the news has had a "knock-on effect" as the group has future shows booked and not having a base would mean they would not be able to take part in community or charity work.

The group is now looking for a new venue, but said finding a suitable space was proving difficult because of the size required for its layouts.

Rumford, who has been part of the club for more than 35 years, said meeting up regularly benefits their mental health.

"It's not just the model railway as a club, it's the model railway of a group of men who get together and talk and laugh and share," he said.

"I actually turned around to my wife yesterday and said if we can't do any model railway I don't know what I'm going to do.

"I'm devastated because it's been part of my life."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices