Copyright: Kirklees Model Boat Club 2010-2012 The club was first registered in the magazine Model Boats in February 1978 as having twenty members. The first chairman and founder member was Joe Strand. The club at this time was called Kirklees Model Club, as club members also ran model cars, boats, tanks and round the pole flying. In the years that followed the activities were refined down to model boat building and sailing scal models. The club name then changed along with adopting the Swan logo. The club adopted the best sailing water around, situated in Wilton Park, Bradford Road, Batley. West Yorkshire. Here we have a large lake situated in  the grounds of a bygone Victorian Era.  The park and lake are home to many  wild and semi-domesticated wildlife,  who live and breed on the small island in the centre of the lake. One particular resident of the island was christened 'George', a large, white, proud Swan. Now George, was perfectly placid until the introduction of scale boats, this he took exception to and attacked any scale boat on the water. The club suffered quite a few sinkings, until one member of the club came up with a brilliant idea. Ron Broderick, passed president, who sadly is no longer with us, decided to fill an old cabin cruiser with polystyrene, anchoring it just off the bank, this kept George occupied whilst everyone else got on with their sailing, the only problem being, at the end of the day George, insisted on keeping the cabin cruiser. Sadly,  George is no longer with us, we lost our mascot, but gained a Club Logo. Therefore in respect of the wildlife and environment of our sailing waters, the club does not support the use of Internal Combustion Engines or Very High Speed Electric motors, as used in some model boats. We now boast a membership of over 120, who are made up from students to pensioners and from all walks of life. We promote the leisure pastime of model boat building in all its aspects and to strive to encourage and develop the hobby both within the club and its neighbours, we try to improve the standard of models by the interchange of  ideas, discussion and demonstration of techniques. The club sails every Sunday morning regardless of weather, at the lakeside. The club meeting is held on the second Wednesday of every month at Batley Sports Centre, Windmill lane, Birstall, Batley. The club is open to anyone who wishes to join, simply come down to the lakeside and enjoy yourself. Subscriptions are due yearly and payable to the treasurer, not later than six weeks following the Annual General Meeting, details from any committee member. Current membership is yearly with reductions for children. A 'one off' joining fee is payable with the first years subscription.