Lifelong passion turns into hobby for Glenwood pensioner

A PASSION for ships from a young age grew into a lifelong hobby for Glenwood resident, Geoff Wright.

Geoff, (75), said he had been interested in ships all his life. His father was a ships engineer which is what sparked his boyhood interest.

“I went to sea when I was 10 years old and after being sea sick for three days and thinking I was going to die, the captain said I would never get sea sick again. He was right. I went to sea in 1961 for 18 months which turned out to be an interesting but lonely life. Then the army grabbed me,” said Geoff.

Wanting to live in proximity to the harbour so he could watch vessels come and go, Geoff settled at Glenhaven in Esther Roberts Road where he can be spotted, binoculars in hand, wathing the harbour activites. His love for ships led him bulding model ships some ten years ago. He had attempted the hobby as a young boy but gave up on it and only after meeting a man who had built around 500 model airplanes, did he decide to take up the hobby once more.

“He asked if I would be interested in building models as he had lots of unopened boxes. When he asked what I’d like to build there was no doubt, it was ships! I gave them back to him once I had built them but the bug had bitten!”

ALSO READ: Pensioner’s hobbies give him purpose

It is a hobby that requires a great del of patience and a steady hand and, according to Geoff, the support of his wife, Eve.

“I do get frustrated if things won’t go the way I want them to. When that happens I just pack it away and read a book until I get the urge again.”

His pride an joy is a ship his wife bought him which took him about five months to build. “Geoff didn’t speak to me for ages,” laughed Eve. Over the past 10 years he has completed 25 ships.

“The Japanese ships are the worst to build as the instructions are in Japanese. So I really had to think hard and it took me twice as long to complete,” he said.

With a collection of ships stored carefully in his garage, Geoff approached Glenhaven management and asked if he could display them in the library for others to enjoy.

He takes part in the annual display at the German Club in Westville where he enjoys viewing the finished worked of other model builders.

In the meantime, Geoff has six ships lined up waiting to be built. “By the time I finish those, I will be finished!”

Anyone interest in model ship building can contact him on 084 522 5211.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts