THE third in a series of seven public events to raise funds for charity was staged by model engineering enthusiasts at Westbury on Sunday June 3.

The West Wilts Society of Model Engineers staged a family open day at its club site at the White Horse Country Park.

Members are opening up their site to the public throughout the year to raise funds for the Tetbury-based charity Hope For Tomorrow.

Society spokeswoman Michelle Richardson said: “Each month the site will open to everyone to come and visit.

“There will be train rides available on the five-inch track, and the garden railway layout will also be running live steam models to watch.

Committee member Jon Clarke said: “The turn-out was a bit disappointing because of the wet weather, but our train rides on the 5-inch gauge track were booked pretty well continuously throughout the afternoon.

“We had around a dozen members displaying engines, including model, steam and traction engines.”

The largest engine on display was an eight-tonne 1925 Aveling and Porter steam engine brought by the club’s youngest member Dan Jones.

Other public events include an Open Day on Sunday, July 7 from 1pm to 4pm. On Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 4.30pm, there will be the Wiltshire Model Steam Gala.

This will feature many attractions, including extra garden rail layouts to see, traders, local and heritage railway displays, stationary and traction engines of all sizes, and a full-size steam car.

The Society’s first Ghost Train will be running on Sunday, October 27. Times not yet available.

The season of public events will finish with the much-loved Santa specials on Saturday, December 7 from 2pm to 5pm.

All of the open days and events are publicised on the Society’s Facebook page Wiltshire Model Steam Gala, and the club website http://www.wwsme.org.uk.