The model is situated at Ulverscroft Grange, Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9QB and is part of Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation Charity No 803525

We call on the Trustees to 

1.     withdraw plans for closure on 19th December 2025

2.     engage in a minimum 6 month consultation with the staff and volunteers of the whole trust 

3.     have specific engagement with the model railway volunteers to fully understand the meaning of the layout and the impracticality of the proposal to move it.

4.     consider all the options for an extension of the Charity retail arm 

such that the trusts financial strength can be improved without destroying the legacy of its founder.

One of our group visited the layout but only since this news broke. When he was made previously aware of it by his mother some 15 years ago he was working full-time and simply forgot about it. It is only viewable Wed and Fri between 10am-3pm when many people and children are not available. A once a month Tuesday evening session can be attended by a max of 8 people.

It is an incredible feat of model making and clever electronics which makes it a unique layout. It should be regarded by the trustees as a jewel in the Trusts crown given that it was created by the Trusts founder, the late David Clarke.

The Trust, which is losing money each year, wants to replace the layout with charity shops in addition to three already on site but have not consulted with staff or volunteers. It was presented to the volunteers as a fait accompli.

They have given no details of what business plan has been developed nor of any alternative solutions being considered.

We are not oblivious to the financial pressures which trusts are under but to make such a contentious and arbitrary decision is morally wrong and cruel particularly to the volunteers who have fully funded the work and maintenance of the layout over many years.

The Trusts Website states that its purpose is "Supporting the elderly, adults with disabilities and young people through wellbeing activities, outdoor education and support services. "

In its last set of published accounts it states:

"The railway was inherited by the Foundation from its founder. It is maintained by a group of volunteer enthusiasts. The model has educational and therapeutic value.  Organised groups are able to visit on a monthly basis when the railway is operated to its fullest extent and a talk given. Visitors are also able to see the railway during normal opening times when there may be limited operation depending on volunteer availability."

Given the above we cannot see how it can be dismissed in such a fashion without any attempt to preserve it.

It was originally situated at David's factory in Mountsorrel and moved to its current location when he purchased the site to set up the Foundation. Even then when it was smaller it took 10yrs to reinstate.

The Trust have said they will help with its relocation but because they know so little about its construction (it covers over 600 sq ft and weighs around 8 tons with the walls having been built around what was an open-sided barn) and they have never visited despite invites to view the layout in operation. The volunteers consider that the complexity and size now makes such action impossible without destroying it.

A number of YouTubers have posted about this together with model railway forum groups so usual searches on Google will give more information and perspective.

Please help us to persuade the trustees to stop this closure and open full and inclusive discussions with all the staff and volunteers of the trust to find a way forward for the benefit of the trust as a whole by signing this petition.