Greetings,
First let me apologise for not sending out a TO prior to our meeting Saturday just past. Things have been rather hectic and fraught at home this past 2 weeks and writing up TO was completely put on the back burner due to a few issues. One being a sickness bug which has laid us quite low.
Another issue I speak of, is a shipment of the iconic GM city transit ‘New Look’ bus (i.e. the Fishbowl bus) from Rapido Trains which was delivered (8.15am) on 11th May by Parcelforce in 8 boxes taped together. Just before lunchtime I put the 8 boxes in my garage in readiness for repacking for UK customers. I opened all the boxes to remove items destined for CN group members. Unfortunately I left the key in the garage lock as I went back into the house. Like a lot of people the key is often left in the lock whilst gardening as we are in and out of the garage a number of times. In the afternoon I went to the supermarket and in early evening secured everything. Late Friday evening to A&E due to me feeling somewhat unwell saw us getting home after tests around 5.30am, so the rest of Saturday was spent sleeping to recover. Sunday I commenced the packaging and during this exercise it became frighteningly clear some were missing. I checked and rechecked everywhere but realised 2 boxes with 18 buses were missing. These buses are a mixture of Regular and Deluxe versions packed in individual maroon/cream boxes and fastened onto a plinth inside a plastic display case. The buses are in various liveries – BC Transit, Cincinnati, DC Transit, Boston MBTA, Ottawa, Los Angeles etc, and were packed in cardboard boxes of 6, showing the stencilled contents detail on the outside. We are a total loss as to who, how and why these buses were stolen as inside were other typical items one keeps a garage. One worrying aspect is that it is possible one or both of us might have been in the house at the time and yet not seen or heard anything as whoever did this must have walked down the drive. I have contacted the police and many groups, shops and individuals who are now looking out for the items. I am therefore asking any members who may be offered these buses or know of someone trying to sell Rapido buses (other than purchased through Rails of Sheffield) to let me know or better still Cheshire Police with the details. Many thanks if you can help. As to locking the garage now – hindsight is a wonderful thing!!!!
That out of the way – I received a telephone call a few days ago which was a surprise as it was from Stuart Wood. Thinking he was calling from Canada the time difference would have made the call around 3am there. Stuart explained that he was sorry he had not been in touch but he was still in Nantwich and could not manage the flight to Canada due to his worsening medical condition. He is awaiting a place in a local care home but has spoken with the manager asking if he can start a model railway group when arrives in the home. It seems to have been well received and could help other residents in keeping them active. Perhaps in the future we may be able to offer some limited help but will address that when the time comes.
Derek Frith was finally given a date to go for his operation – 9th May and a couple of days later I rang the hospital to be told I could not be told anything as I was not family. I asked them to tell Derek we had called. I have rung the number again twice and was told as before to obtain information from family. The latest time they said he was not on their ward list but might be home. I called his home only to get the answerphone so have left a message and hoping family may deal with that. I am unaware of any family of Derek as he is a quiet person and does not mention family as far as I know but I do hope the nurses have passed on our message as we don’t want him to think he is not in our thoughts.
I have also spoken recently with Derek Milby who sends his regards to everyone. Derek says he does not go far from home these days but he will try and make a trip to Crewe during the summer. I told him someone could come to the station to collect/deliver him if he advises us in advance. He did look for us a few weeks back whilst on a steam tour from Ulverston to Shrewsbury behind “British India Line”.
I called Ian Hallworth too as he had not been seen for a while and had not come along on his roster day to operate a couple of weekends ago. One member thought they had spoken to him at a show in the Manchester area and he had said he wasn’t coming to Crewe again. Thankfully this is not the case and Ian says he will come to Crewe in the future but some issues have prevented him being with us recently.
Tony Hayselden you will be pleased to hear has been on holiday and so not at Crewe on Saturday. Tony was rather tired after his rail tour of Italy -10 rail journeys in 12 days but Joan tells me they have had a great time with Tony visiting Venice for the first time, something he has wanted to do as Joan had been before.
On Saturday 30th June/Sunday 1st July it is the Manchester Aviation and Transport Fair. Calder Northern Group and Crewe Heritage Centre have each booked a table. We are therefore looking for volunteers to help at the event on one of the days. Please will you let me know before May 31st if you can assist and if you have anything in your collection of railway items that may be useful on our display table? Mike Lenz is bringing along a laptop to show the Crewe webcam of trains passing the site and Len & David Ford are bringing their G scale trains and track. We will have the display banners and a show of some models.
A draft of the Calder Northern Group Constitution is to be mailed to each Group member for them to read and hopefully confirm they are happy for it to be approved and implemented. It is also for those who wish to offer any alternative proposals to submit their comments for further consideration. In addition to the above there is one clause concerning options should the Group have to be wound up anytime in the future. The two alternatives have been listed and your committee asks that you consider both options and lodge your preference. It is vital to have a decision by members on this before any vote is taken to adopt the Constitution.
Please note at this stage we are not envisaging the winding up of Calder Northern Group but this is something we need to have documented should such a situation arise anytime in the future.
For those who receive Train Order emails please respond by email. Postal members please either telephone Terry Wynne or preferably reply by letter. Thank you.
Terry Wynne
Secretary
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