Mexborough and Swinton Times December 2, 1938
Thurnscoe Model Maker’s Remarkable Eye for Detail
A claim made recently that for a district of its size, Dearne contains a record number of amateur, but nevertheless skilful, model makers would appear to be in no way exaggerated.
Our reporter had no difficulty in finding at least half a dozen who are amazingly proficient at the art. The photograph shows one of them, Mr William Poulson, of 40, Windsor Street, Thurnscoe with some of the examples of his work.
Mr Poulson who is only 23, regards this work as more than a hobby, for while a hobby is supposed to be something which occupies a man in his leisure time, Mr Poulson needs something to occupy his whole day – for he is, through ill health, unemployed.
When Mr Poulson fell out of work five years ago he found that time hung heavily on his hands and adopted this novel form of industry.
He makes his models mainly from plywood, canvas and paper, and is wonderfully adept at rounding off his work. He is, too, surprisingly versatile, and his models include Coronation coaches, warships in the time of the Armada, modern battleships, and calendars.
He takes copies from any old picture he can find but the finish models are immaculate in every respect; in fact he told a “Times” reporter that he took as much care getting the radio wires of a battleship “just right” as he did over the shaping of the intricate gun turrets. His models are complete in every detail.
Though all his models compelled admiration the one that attracted our reporter the most was that of the Coronation coach, an exact replica of the coach in which their Majesties rode to Westminster Abbey on May 12, 1937. The wheels are perfectly rounded and contain the exact number of spokes. The customs only tools only fret so and a bobbing drill.
Mr Poulson is equally skilful in house of January with which he learned at night school and repairs to any of the household furniture are entrusted to him.
The model on which is now engaged is a 4 feet long of the HMS Nelson, and expects that this will take him about a month.
