I am only mailing this information as I still have the mailing list prior to handing this to the new Chairman and Secretary.
The AGM yesterday saw 29 members signing in which was most encouraging. There were no nominations before the meeting for the vacant Chairman position but Les Herriot agreed to take up that role. George Neyman volunteered to take on the Secretary position and both were elected unanimously – in other words nobody else wanted to be involved!
Agenda items –
Security of the clubroom featured very strongly and for those of you who could not make the meeting I detail below some of the facts. We have recently experienced a number of items going missing from the clubroom or from a member’s toolbox. Last Saturday Andy Wickes and Bob Bevan were to operate trains on the HO layout but when they arrived they found the 4 pin connector which plugs into the DCC Command Box had been unscrewed and deliberately removed. After a search of the room it became obvious somebody had vandalised the unit. A new part has been sourced courtesy of Mike Lenz making contact with NCE in the USA who have kindly agreed to mail 2 connectors free of charge. Options for future secure storage were discussed and more details will follow soon.
The clinics that could not take place during the past few months are to be given in the near future and dates will be advised in Train Orders.
The planned “Fallen Flags” Themed Meet scheduled for the weekend of 12th/13th October has been postponed. This is due to a number of layout owners and traders saying that they are unable to come along on that weekend. We also realise that our organisational efforts on this started much too late due to a number of factors so it was felt that we should postpone the event until the first weekend in October next year – 2014. Therefore we are arranging to co-operate with the Crewe Heritage Centre volunteers and put on a two day train show on that 12/13th weekend instead. This will be a joint British and American layout show and hopefully the visitor attractions such as miniature railway and brake van rides will also be available. Further information will follow on this matter in Train Orders and at monthly meets.
The situation of the HO layout being operated at weekends when the Heritage Centre is open to the public was discussed. Currently Andrew Wickes is on site operating his trains virtually every Saturday & Sunday. Whilst his efforts are greatly appreciated it is unfair to expect him to be there, sometimes on his own every day each weekend. It was proposed that each member be asked to say which day they would be prepared to come along to the Heritage Centre during the period Easter to end of September and take their turn to operate the HO layout. It would mean you offering to come along for just one day only, either a Saturday or a Sunday to operate. Andrew may be available as well on that day as may others but it is not unreasonable for members to volunteer for just one day during that 26 weekend period. A list is being prepared so you can nominate the day of your choice.
You may not know that recently the Heritage Centre Trust received a proposal which asked for our group to be removed from the Lecture Room with the proposer offering a higher rental fee to use the facilities. Fortunately for us some members of the Trust fought our corner and it was stated that the Trust felt our activity in operating trains for public viewing at weekends was a much valued attraction for the Centre and its visitors. So you see it is in our best interests to keep up that good work and support of the Trustees but not to burden one person with the responsibility of being there every day. Do please do your part.
A decision to retain the existing tea/coffee arrangements was approved but a donation each month will be made to the Heritage Centre.
Terry Wynne
for Les Herriot, Chairman
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