It's all a question of scale (From Gazette Series)

It's all a question of scale

DESPITE the delicate time-consuming work which goes into creating a scale-size doll's house, a Frampton-on-Severn club considers itself a fun organisation. And the club is certainly not all about twee Victorian town houses. Indeed members have created everything from miniature beach huts to tiny public toilets. The Gazette met club founders Nigel and Gillian Davey to find out more.

A DECADE ago Gillian Davey discovered her interest in doll's houses developing and wanted to share the hobby with like-minded people.

The nearest club was quite a distance away and about to close so someone suggested she launch her own.

She put a notice in a shop window and thus Severnside Dolls House and Miniaturists Club was created.

The group, now in its 10th year, meets at the Congregational church in Frampton-on-Severn.

The club does not have a committee. "We get a programme together between club members," said Mrs Davey.

She added there was little need for guest speakers because of the wealth of talent already existing within the group.

And, she said, as subs were nominal, there were not the funds to pay for speakers.

Mrs Davey first became interested in the subject when she discovered a shop which sold dolls houses and miniaturist "odds and ends".

She collected them in a glass cupboard and her son-in-law then made her a dolls' house.

However ready-made dolls houses and miniaturist pieces tend to be costly and collecting them a pricey hobby so many are inspired to create the items themselves.

Mrs Davey was inspired to pick up a needle and thread and has made some amazing miniature items including a tiny carpet.

Her husband, Nigel, was then to become interested in the hobby.

His wife was looking at a miniature dresser to put into the dolls house made by her son-in-law.

Mr Davey said was staggered by the £85 price-tag of the dresser and concluded he would create something himself.

He had been a keen model-maker as a youngster but it was a hobby all but forgotten in adult life.

However he began to find the hobby of miniature furniture making therapeutic and a God send in early retirement.

He said: "It would cost you about £100 to make a house if you wanted to do it yourself.

"But it costs between £3,000 and £4,000 if you want to furnish it with the best and don't really want to do any of it yourself."

The Severnside club has about 25 members. "They are mostly older people who are retired or close to retiring," explained Mr Davey.

Despite doll's houses been traditionally thought of as a female subject, the club does have its fair share of men.

The club is a close-knit group and organises social events as well as its regular meetings.

The membership travels from throughout Gloucestershire to attend the club. Generally the group meets each month but, if it is embarking on a large project, will meet fortnightly.

Members have a wide variety of skills - including woodwork, electronics and needlecraft - which they are eager to share.

The talent levels are also varied from beginner to highly skilled.

Mrs Davey said: "If you can't do something you can take it to the club and someone will show you what you are doing wrong and will help out."

The club launched with a project to create a 24 scale (half an inch to a foot) Tudor house.

A further project was to create a department store with each member creating a different department, including the public toilets.

"Everything we do is humorous," said Mrs Davey. Last year the group created a seaside scene complete with beach huts.

The club has been invited to have displays at various events including Frampton Country Fair and takes part in three to four shows a year.

Each year the club adopts a charity and when it attends shows and displays has, if possible, collection boxes for the good causes.

The past-time is an international hobby and is especially big in Japan. The club has even entertained a group from Oregon in the US.

To find out more about the club people can call 01453 827595.