Cherry Hill (model engineer)

Cherry Hill is an English model engineer known for her detailed scale models of steam vehicles. Hill won the Duke of Edinburgh award nine times, the Bradbury Winter Memorial Trophy eight times, was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by the Queen of England, and other awards. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Life and work

Cherry Hill was born in Malvern, Worcestershire, England, in 1932. Her father was an agricultural machinery manufacturer who began mentoring her when she showed enthusiasm for metalworking. Hill is considered to be one of the greatest model engineers ever due to her success in competitions.[1][8] During her 60-year career, Hill built nearly 20 detailed scale models of steam vehicles, including Victorian models, which each took her approximately 7,000 hours to make.[9] The parts in the models are all made from her metal stock, and the engines are fully operational.[1][9]

An article written about her by the Craftsmanship Museum says that "The uncompromising craftsmanship exhibited in Cherry’s work is a result of her attitude. She never accepts anything less than perfection."[1] As her career progressed past its early stages, Hill started building unusual models, many of which were insufficiently documented or had no existing original copies.[9][1] Due to the scarce information, Hill had to get creative to make some models work that did not work originally.[10] The models made at the beginning of Hill's career were given to family and friends, but her more recent ones have been donated to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.[9][1] She was married to Ivor Hill, also a model engineer, until his death and has lived in the U.S. since the 90s.[8][1]

Awards
  • Sir Henry Royce Trophy for the Pursuit of Excellence (1989 and 1995).[1]
  • MBE (Member of the British Empire) award (2000).[1]
  • Elected Companion of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (2004).[1]
  • Honorary member of the Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (2004).[1]
  • Awarded nine different gold medals at the annual Model Engineer Exhibition in London.[1]
  • Awarded the Bradbury Winter Memorial Trophy eight times.[1]
  • Awarded the Aveling Barford Cup twice.[1]
  • Crebbin Memorial Trophy.[1]
  • Awarded the Championship Cup three times.[1]
  • Awarded The Duke of Edinburgh's Award nine times.[1]
  • Joe Martin Foundation Craftsman of the Year Award (2017).[1]

References
  1. (2021, November 15). "Cherry Hill Striving for Perfection in Model Engineering." The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum.
  2. Koerner, E. R. (2019, November 20). "A Model Engineer: Cherry Hill." Electrifying Women.
  3. (2022). "Cherry Hill" Institution of Mechanical Engineers. https://archives.imeche.org/archive/artefacts/cherry-hill
  4. (2017, November 8). "IMechE Archive and Library." Institution of Mechanical Engineers. https://imechearchive.wordpress.com/2017/11/08/cherry-hill/
  5. "Cherry Hill's Second Blackburn Agricultural Engine" Model Engineering Website. https://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Cherry_Hills_latest.html
  6. (1968, February 16). Model Engineer. (134).
  7. (1987, November 5). An Interview with Cherry Hill. Model Engineer. (159).
  8. (2021, December 26). "The Greats of Model Engineering - Cherry Hinds Hill." Home Model Engine Machinist. https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/the-greats-of-model-engineering-cherry-hinds-hill.19685/
  9. Carpenter, D. (2015). Cherry's Model Engines The story of the remarkable Cherry Hill. Robert Hale.
  10. (2014, October 21). "Book celebrating model-maker Cherry Hill launched." Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
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