Selsey Pavilion in Miniature

We recently received an incredibly heartwarming message from Willem Jager, a talented model railway enthusiast from the Netherlands. After seeing our beloved film projector featured on an episode of The Repair Shop, Willem was inspired to craft something truly special—a detailed model of the Selsey Pavilion for his HO (1:87) model railway layout.

In Willem's own words, "When seeing The Repair Shop episode about your film projector, I was struck by the beauty of the building. So I decided to make a model of it for my layout." His admiration for the Pavilion led to an impressive model that captures the spirit of our building, even if some modifications were necessary to fit the context of his railway. Though space constraints and some artistic changes were needed—like the omission of Chaplin's Coffee House and adjusting a few architectural details—the result is undeniably charming.

Willem also mentioned his attention to detail and ongoing dedication: "Sadly, seeing the aerial view of the Pavilion only now on your Facebook page, I realise my roof is incorrect. If I can find the time in the near future I will definitely change that. But I still have to make more buildings for a deadline end of October, so those have priority." His passion and commitment to capturing the true essence of the Pavilion are clear, and we are truly touched by his efforts.

The model has become a beautiful reminder of just how much the Pavilion means, not only to our local community but to those watching from afar. Even with the challenges we face in restoring the building, stories like Willem's remind us why we do this. They inspire us to press on, to see the Pavilion once again become a thriving part of the Selsey community.

You can see a photo of Willem's model on our Facebook page, and if you'd like to follow more of his wonderful work, please visit his model railway page on Facebook: Willem's Model Railway.

Thank you, Willem, for sharing your passion and for this wonderful gesture. We wish you the best of luck with your railway and hope to see more of your incredible creations soon. We also look forward to the day when we can once again open our doors, inspired by the same love of Art Deco cinemas that you’ve captured in miniature.