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A meticulously crafted model of The Bounty takes pride of place in Gloria Atkins’ Red Beach home and the story of how it was made makes it a treasured heirloom for her family.
Gloria’s husband Daniel, a draughtsman by trade, purchased the pieces for the model ship. Unfortunately, he only got as far as building the base before he died in 2007.
Daniel had made many models in the past, but gave them all away.
Gloria wanted to see The Bounty finished but it was not until eight years after Daniel’s death that she approached Derek Hall who she met by chance when he purchased a small model ship from the Orewa Hospice shop – Gloria has worked at the shop for many years.
She told him about the ship and after taking a look, Derek said he’d be happy to complete the model for her. The idea was for the model to be auctioned and the funds donated to hospice.
Although he’d made other models, this was Derek’s first ship and he said the project took him more than 400 hours to complete. “My eyes aren’t the best and so there was a lot of work with a magnifying glass,” he says.
During the process, Derek had a stroke and his wife Sylvia says that getting back to work on the ship while recovering was therapeutic, helping him relax and getting his brain back into gear.
Derek would not take any money for his work, which he finished recently.
Gloria and her family were so impressed with the completed model and it meant so much to them, that they decided to keep it, and make a $100 donation to hospice. Gloria also presented Derek with an artwork made of photos taken while he worked on the model.
“Derek and Sylvia are such lovely people and we will treasure this special gift,” Gloria says.
