CALDER NORTHERN DIVISION
TRAIN ORDERS
October 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of Train Orders.
Member news
Tony Gath and his wife Carol, succumbed to Covid but thankfully are now feeling better and on the
road to a full recovery. We have a new member, Bill Matthews, who is a retired vicar from Liverpool.
The Committee
This is advanced notice that I wish to step down from the role of secretary at the year end, so
please think about whether you could takeover that role.
We have decided to call an Extraordinary General Meeting for the meeting on 10th December.
The reasons arise from the poor attendance by members over the last couple of years due to
illness and other commitments, the fact that the weekend layout roster has a small band of about
11 members on it and the groups’ general financial situation. There is also the fact that CHC
appear to be wanting to open for more days and what that means for Calder Northern.
The Convention
Preparations for the convention appear to be going well. We have over 100 registered attendees,
the conference dinner is well booked. There will be 8 layouts, traders and the NMRA library. If
you want a particular book from the library get in touch with the librarian to ensure he brings it to
the convention for you.
After many trials and tribulation over hotels I think you will find the Wychwood Park comfortable
and welcoming. It is not as big as we would have liked but the alternative would have been no
convention.
The “virtual” NMRA
The “Brew & Natter” virtual meetings on Saturdays have continued during the summer. It has
been noted that attendance has diminished somewhat now that we are no longer in lockdown.
Please do consider joining in as it can be very enjoyable and a great way to get to know people
from other parts of the UK
Layouts
I would like, on behalf of the committee, to thank Paul for all his hard work in keeping the layout
manned at weekends this year. He has managed this with a work crew of about 10/11 people
only. Well done to Paul and thank you to the volunteers.
Crewe Heritage Centre
Recently there was a meeting of the volunteers/members of the Heritage Trust on a Wednesday
morning. Roy and Terry attended the meeting and made some notes of the proceedings. These
are the notes-
Firstly Gordon Heddon introduced each member of the Trust. Most of them we know already, but
significant new members appear to be:-
Chris Simon – experience of running heritage railway in N. Wales.
Kevin Edwards – Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Vicki (?surname) – Crewe Town Council Heritage Office – now a permanent post. Spends
one day each week on CHC work. This is her first local government job. Previous roles
have been caring for 2000 years’ worth of artefacts in York Minster with liaisons with NRM
and various museum and grant/lottery applications.
There was a brief slide show of ‘then and now’ showing how the Centre has been tidied in the past
6 or so years. Specifically reclamation of full car park, removal of LNWR clutter and general
tidying of debris. This has been reflected in online reviews of the attraction with none below 3* this
year.
In 2020 the site applied for a Town Investment Fund Grant. This failed because of governance
issues. Subsequently the Trust has undergone a governance review to make further applications
more likely to succeed. There will have to be safeguarding training and better member records.
Kevin said that they would introduce role descriptions, to be produced in conjunction with the
volunteers so that new members would have a clear idea of what to do.
There will be a volunteers policy and handbook. Prospective volunteers can only be put on a
waiting list until this is in place,
There is a need for a proper management structure so that CHC can get museum accreditation.
This would lead to loans from other museums [Accredited museums will generally only lend to
other accredited museums. The accreditation covers aspects such as customer experience and
treatment of artefacts. An accredited organisation will always take precedence in the distribution
of artefacts. e.g. A class 91 has arrived on site today but will only be here temporarily as an
accredited museum wants it.]
Vicky said her remit is to try and keep artefacts in Crewe and look after them. She is keen to
build up the Centre as an attraction and increase spend in Crewe.
Seven areas have been identified where the Trust is lacking, including project management,
finances, visitor ops. and charity legislation.
CHC is currently a company limited by guarantee. This will be considered and MAY be changed
to a charity company . I’m a little puzzled by this comment as Crewe Heritage Trust is already a
registered charity.
There will be new rules about election of Trust members and how long they may serve. Which will
require changes to the governance document. The lease needs to be renegotiated to 25 years,
which is complicated by the land ownership.
The Wednesday opening during the summer gained £1,900 in café and shop receipts.
