This model is of great significance to Pendon as it was founder Roye England’s first model for the Vale Scene.
The cottage on which this model is based is in Ham Road, Upper Wanborough. It was built in the 17th century of local stone under a thatched roof, and became a fully licensed inn called the ‘Calley Arms’.
In the mid 1840s it ceased to be an inn and became a dwelling, and around 1847 a new brick built public house was built opposite, trading as the ‘New Calley Arms’.
In 1931 the then owners modernised the cottage, making many changes. The cottage survives today, now with slate tiles on the roof, and is neat and well-maintained.
Constructing this model was a learning experience for Roye England – both for research methods and for modelling techniques. The model was built in HO scale at 3.5mm to the foot – the only one at this scale in the Vale Scene. By the early 1940s in UK, ‘serious’ modelling had standardised on 4mm scale and all other Vale models are built to this scale.
The New Calley Arms is across the road from the cottage on which Waggon & Horses is based. About 100 metres away is the site of the shop modelled at Pendon as 'Fowler's Store' which retains features from when it was a rope-making business.
