South Somerset Homes resident hands over model ship to Marine Society and Sea Cadets
22 January 2006

A South Somerset Homes resident who has an endearing passion for making model ships has handed over a piece of his work to the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, the UK’s largest maritime charity.

Bob (69 years) who lives at Cleaveside Close sheltered housing scheme in Queen Camel handed over a model ship of the HMS Victory he built to Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod for the Marine Society and Sea Cadets where it will take pride of place on display in the entrance hall at its headquarters at Lambeth Road in London.

Pictured here (left to right) is Bob Norton (resident, South Somerset Homes) handing over his beautifully hand-crafted model of the HMS Victory to Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod (the Marine Society and Sea Cadets) where it will go on display in the entrance hall at its headquarters at Lambeth Road in London

Bob’s passion for making detailed scale models of some of Britain’s most famous ships was unfortunately cut short by ill-health and in 1996 he had to lay down his tools following a third stroke and deteriorating eyesight.

Bob’s interest in model ship building began when he was 30 years old. Bob spent 1,400 hours in the winters of 1988 and 1989 creating the model of Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, which stands at 48" long and 20" wide and has 3,000 copper plates on its underside alone.

Bob has built many other model ships over the years and worked on commissions, recreating famous British ships and was also presented a number of national titles for his beautiful pieces of work. Other ships Bob has worked on include H.M.S Caroline, the Endeavour (Capt. Cook’s ship), the Royal Yacht 1760, which was on display in the Millennium Dome for the whole of the year 2000, plus many more.

Bob said, "I have always been mad about the sea and ships and have shown my models in many shows including the National Midland Model Exhibition and the Victory Heritage Museum in Portsmouth, so it has been really hard not to be able to make models any more.”

He added, “I am, however, chuffed to bits to that one of my best ships will be sitting right in the entrance hall and I definitely hope to go and see it in its new home one day.”

Pictured here in detail is the model of the HMS Victory ship h.co