CLUB BACKGROUND
CADMA
was founded in 1985 by a small band of local boat modellers who met in the Conisbrough Library. The club was constituted as
a general modelling club to be known as the Coinsbrough and District Modelling Association, (CADMA).
The first president of the club was the late Basil Copley M.B.E.
CADMA dug its own lake at the
Millpiece, the site of a former water powered wood mill in the shadow of the majestic keep of Coinsbrough castle. As the club
developed and numbers increased , a larger sailing site was needed. For a short time, part of a disused canal near Mexborough
was rented from British Waterways. Meanwhile, we saw the potential in the development of the Dome, a new leisure centre under
construction and we expressed an early interest. This because CADMA's sailing water in 1990 after the Dome opened. The
superb amenities and a good relationshp with the management have allowed the club to develop a more ambitious programme.
We are perhaps best known in the model boating world for our 24-hour endurance events where Guinness World
records were set in the first three successive years at the Dome. In 1990 the greatest distance in 24 hours was achieved and
the record broken by the same crew from Lowestoft in 1991. By contrast 1992 saw the battery endurance world record set when
CADMA members David and Peter Holland sailed a 28" long, scale model of the Bridlington trawler Margaret H for 24 hours
without a battery charge and covering over 33 miles.
In April 1993 CADMA severed its
link with the library at Coinsbrough and moved its weekly meetings also to the Dome.
CADMA
hosted the MPBA Scale National Finals in 1994 (anevent included in the Doncaster Festival 800 programme), pioneering a voyage
concept course for the first time in final. The first National Tug Towing Final was hosted by CADMA in 1996. The club
has also exhibited twice, by invitation, at the Grewnwich Model Boat Show held at the National Maritime Museum. CADMA akso
hosted the Millenium MPBA Scale National Finals i August 2000 as part of the Festival of Model Boats.
Peter
Chappell (Liberty Ship, Francis J O'Gara), David Holland (North Sea Ferry, Norland), David Allen (OBeron Class Submarine)
and Alan Robinson (Fishing Coble, Crimond) have exhibited at the International Modelling Exhibition in London. Alan Robinson
achieved the highest international honour, being awarded a GOLD medal at the same exhibition held at Sandown Park at
the end of 2001, with his superb model of the Filey Class Lifeboat. "The Keep Fit Association".
In February 1999 a small group were guests of the Rotterdam Model Boat Society. We were entertained in their
clubroom within the National Museum where we saw many special exhibits and went on board some Museum ships. We also visited
the National Tug Museum at Maasluis including a special guest visit to the prserved and working steam tug "Furgie".
The highlight of our visit was a full day on board working tugs in the approaches to the Rotterdam docks complex.
In 1999 CADMA members won a total of eights awards at the International Model Boat Exhibition at Great Yarmouth.
Five more awards were obtained at the Blackpool show in 2000. Five more firsts were won at our Northern Model Boat in July
2001 (externally judged). In the autumn of 2001 the club was again successful at Blackpool. In addition to the club gaining
four more top awards, Alan Robinson was also awarded best in Show with his model of the Filey Mersey Class Lifeboat, "The
Keep Fit Association" and had his name engraved on the Tower trophy, which remains on display at the Tower. To crown
the end of a fine year Alan was also awarded a Gold medal for th same model at the International Model Exhibition held this
year at Sandown Racecourse. This same model also won Best in Show at the Leeds Bradford Expo 2002 followed by further successes
at the Southport model lifeboat weekend.
The club actively supports the RNLI and other charities.
In August 1997 CADMA pioneered a new type of saling event in the form of a Team Regatta with all proceeds going to the
King George's Fund for Sailors. This had become an annual charity event. Entry is open to any club or group of three persons
(including a junior) interested in taking part. The Doncaster Team Challenge Trophy (Shield) has been donated to the club
specifically for this event.
The club has over 80 members who are kept in touch
with a regular club magazine called "Compass".
Although a modelling club covering
all aspects of modelling, model boats is our core activity.
We meet every Sunday from 2pm at the lakeside at the Dome,Doncaster leisure park and
have a varied sailing programme throught the year including scale regattas,tug towing,fast electric racing,yachting,and fun
events plus relaxing non-competitive sailing.Electric and steam powererd vessels are permitted but not internal combustion
engines.We also meet on Wednesday evenings with the first Wednesday of the month reserved for business,social and training
sesions.We are licensed by the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough council to use the lake and we carry Public Liability Insurance.this
is the only licensed site for the sailing of model boats in the Doncaster area.
Fees with concessions for senior citizens,juniors and families are assessed annually.we
are a fully constituted club affiliated to the MPBA the body co-ordinating model boating in the UK.
Although keeping our historical CADMA identity,by which we are nationally and internationally known,we are
now a Doncaster based club.
The
club boasts some leading ship modellers.Two former members [Roger Thayne and Tom Gorman].regularly build models for the shipping
industry,owners and museums and also a former member went on to manufacture kits.
Laurie
White runs his own business ''The Model Slipway'' in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
He produces some of the best model kits in Europe and exports worldwide.
employing several staff and servicing the modelling fraternity,not only locally but also worldwide.
