English Group Is Adopted Here As Goodwill Gesture-This Day In Norwood History-February 12, 1948

International Friendship Move By Local Society Wins Wide Approval

Believing that world peace can best be made permanent, when people of all the nations understand each other in the light of their work, their personal problems, and their hobbies, the Norwood Society of Model Engineers has contacted a similar-minded organization in the city of Leicester, England, and has commenced one of the most unusual experiments in international relations so far attempted.

The Norwood Society is made up of adults seriously interested in model engineering as a hobby and sport. They are concerned with the building of model aircraft, railways, boats, and race cars. The Leicester Model Aero Club, in England, is a club of similar interests. The British group has been seriously hampered by shortages and strict rationing but is managing to continue their hobby work dispite the severe circumstances in post-war Britain. Thru the liasion officers of the two clubs. K. L. Stothers of Bushby England, for the English group and Ted Alexander representing the Norwood society, consultations are held regularly by letter as to the needs and wants of the English club. The Norwood model engineers are now making up a box of supplies to be shipped to England within the next week.

Reciprocal Gesture

This gesture of friendship has become reciprocal, for the British club is sending the Norwood organization certain mechanical pieces which are unobtainable in this country, and has made each member of the Norwood Society of Model Engineers an honorary member of The Leicester Model Aero Club with the right to fly their aircraft bearing the club emblem.

It is planned this spring to have an International Air Meet on the same day, here in Norwood, and in Leicester, England, with results to be exchanged by mail. Everyone in the local group is working hard to put this fine friendship gesture over, and if anyone in Norwood or vicinity would care to help in making up the present Friendship Parcel with the simple gift of a ten-cent tube of glue or a sheet of balsa wood or some such contribution that is earnestly needed in England, they may do so by seeing the Norwood’s group representatives, Phil Orleans or Ed Heyn, at the Norwood Hobby Shop, or by contacting any member of the society.

Members of the Norwood Society of Model Engineers point out that the needs of food and clothing are being helped out at least to some extent by American aid in Europe, but there remains an unfilled gap in the development of the things that rest and relax the weary minds and bodies of these people, namely the working of a hobby. So it is that the Norwood group is carrying out this Experiment, this gesture of friendship and understanding, with the expectation that it will become an idea that will spread over Europe and America and bring all peoples together in the bonds of peace through a mutual hobby.