The name of the club at Bury Lido (Gtr Manchester) is Bury Metro Marine Modelling Society (BMMMS). It is an active club with sailing on Weds, Friday and Sunday mornings at which time the small club house will be open. There is a large carpark next to the lake.

I have to agree with a lot of the comments on youngsters. I’m one of the few “younger” ones on here, having started the website in 2007 when I was 18.

The hobby was a little more prevalent then, model shops still around and we had Maplin, an electronics shop that sold components, not just ready to run plastic boats.

Unfortunately it’s true that too much time now is spent on computer games and social media. Everyone is becoming shallow, the thirst for attention greater and attention spans weaker. Most people strive for the next endorphin hit, needing to scroll mindlessly and endlessly through thousands of videos, thousands of rose tinted posts of other people’s lives, the pressure to conform is greater and without a hobby or interest, I do think people get deeper and deeper into depression. Their sense of purpose dwindles and they sadly start believing they’ll never be good enough or relevant enough.

It’s a really sad state of affair.

I don’t think our hobby will ever completely disappear though. They’ll always be practically very good people and the average age has stayed reasonably consistent over the last 16 years. Although maybe less people in general. I think a lot of it is about having time back to spend on hobbies too. I couldn’t dedicate hours or days to anything at the moment, life and work is just too busy, but I’d imagine come retirement that’ll change.

Wrong thread for this topic really, but it is an interesting one.

Stephen

How should I interpret this last paragraph🤔?
Lew
Florida, USA 🇺🇸

Lewz and Dgos999
I think it is à world wide « problem » or « issue » with thé exception of Germany may be?!
Most of thé people on this forum are over 50 or even more and what you see Thérèse no «  compétition » or jalousy. You havé a problem you mention it and dépending on thé country or thé time différence you receive an Answer or suggestion with in minutes.I think this is thé beauty of elderly people. We have. Seen it all. Our club is on of the oldest world wide. Next year we celebrate our 125 th year. 2x à month we organise à regatta 1 for steam driven boats and 1 for electric ones the average number attending is 9 to 11 members.we have organised shows, open days but thé number of people interested is not really growing.All clubs whatever they group do are suffering from thé same disease people are not interested dancing,music, whatever you name it and they will all say the same. Regarding our” lake” it has been built especially for our club. You can see the pictures on the forum. The pond is completely in concrete 2 levels down groundlevel to have not to much problem with the wind. Parking 30 meters away and between your feet and the waterlevel 10 cm. Whatelse can you want. People pass by find it fantastic have a chat and walk on. I m shure in 20 years time what will remain of our hobby? I m not a negative person but it’s reality.

[Admin Edit: re-word]
All we can do is hope for the best and continue to enjoy our hobby 😊

Youngsters today are more competitive than I was all those years back. They compete for jobs, girls, friends on social media. They compete for 'likes' and hits on social networks. Most of their leisure time is competing on computers, this with very little physical effort. I believe there isn't the high visibility competitive spirit in model boating to make it more than a minority passtime. We oldies thrive on minority pastimes and always will!

Here in Florida we have a high percentage of the population being retired. Considering we have many ponds and lakes, year round good weather, at least better than many other places, the SSMBC (free, no rules and regulations) members attending meets is quite low, 4 - 6 on an average day.

The pond we use is free, easy access, great launching platform, and a very short walk from the parking lot to the shelter (with tables) and down to the pond. Back in the 1990's and early 2000's (2000-2013) the previous club (BAEB) would frequently average about 15 at meets and much more for regattas. 2013 Photos here show one of the last "large events" at this location.

In addition, many people mention "Why not have a regatta?" - but no one will volunteer. I was the last chairperson for a regatta at Lake Seminole Park.

I attribute some of the downturn to Covid and gas prices, but it goes beyond that. Attitude - but I will not go any further here. Also, in a previous discussion on this blog we went into the downsizing of hobby shops.

Lew

When weather improves - I would love to visit you guys for a day out !!

Hi Herman,

I read your comments regarding the lack of young people interested in model sailing - and even less joining our Clubs.

I think we all feel similarly at times' but we really should not be despondent.
Indeed, I have been a member of various model boat clubs for all of 15 years now - and I have certainly heard such comments all too many times.

Despite this a steady stream of new "old guys" have been joining those clubs - with overall numbers hardly changing.

Enjoy this wonderful hobby and spread the word - new enthusiasts and hopefully young members will result!!

With best wishes Dr John F. L&B BBC. 😁😁😁😁😁😁

picture of the pond

gentlemen skippers
just to make you a little ..... Our pond is made by the government in the early 60 ties.
completely in concrete -2 levels down to avoid the wind disturbing the sailing 50 inch deep
based next to the yachting harbour on the leftside of the river Schelde. with camping facilities next door... and even then we are glad if there are 10 people on a sunny sunday morning😊