M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 30 May 2016

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 30 May 2016

Next meeting: Monday 27 June. Contact Nicolas Wheatley, 07773 867782

Apologies for the lack of a report on our April meeting, your reporter was on holiday and other people being away reduced the numbers attending to only 21. However, holding our May meeting on a Bank Holiday did not affect our numbers, as thirty people turned up including some making a welcome return after periods of absence. As usual, Martyn Davies brought along a selection of 009 items from Hereford Model Centre giving the opportunity for people to purchase desired items, and various locos were running on the test tacks..

The dedicated and now live website for the show in Tewkesbury in October 2017 (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) continues to be expanded and updated though there is still much information to be added as plans for the show progress. A plea was made for more assistance with the organisation and hopefully people will be motivated to offer more help soon!

You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 27 June and 25 July starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 28 March 2016

Next meeting: Monday 25 April.

Holding our March meeting on a Bank Holiday depleted our numbers but even so twenty people turned up and were treated to a surfeit of hot cross buns and our usual evening of narrow gauge interaction. We were especially pleased by a surprise visit from Richard S, whose wife Nora drove him some distance at short notice so that he could attend his first meeting since his illness last year. The group sends its best wishes for Richard’s continued recovery. As usual, Martyn Davies brought along a selection of 009 items from Hereford Model Centre giving the opportunity for people to purchase desired items.

It was announced that the dedicated website for the show in Tewkesbury in October 2017 has now gone live (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) though there is much work still to be done adding details of layouts, traders and other exhibitors as these are confirmed. We would welcome more trade support but anyone is welcome to contact Nicolas to offer a layout or anything else that would enhance the exhibition.

You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 25 April and 30 May (Bank Holiday), starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 29 February 2016

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 29 February 2016

Next meeting: Monday 28 March (Easter Monday).

Our Leap Day meeting leapt into the record books with a total of 37 people attending, including one junior. Nevertheless there was enough cake and coffee to keep everyone happy, despite Bob Ayers not being able to attend with his usual cherry cake. It was good to learn that Richard S continues to make a good recovery from his stroke, though he is not well enough yet to return to our meetings.

More details of the plans for the proposed show on 07 October 2017 in Tewkesbury were revealed, including a dedicated website for the show being set up shortly. Provisional invitations will soon be sent to layout exhibitors, traders and societies. Please contact Nicolas if you would like to attend but have not been approached already. We are seeking layouts in a variety of narrow gauge scales, not just 009, and more traders or sponsors would be particularly welcome. Many group members attended the NGSW show in Shepton Mallet recently and we hope to make the Tewkesbury show at least as good as that event.

On the 009 test track Adrian Ponting was running a 25 year old Baldwin, built from a GEM kit, hauling a short rake of new PECO four-wheel coaches based on the Glyn Valley prototypes, and a fine sight they made. Various larger scale trains were running on our other test tracks. Martyn Davies brought along a selection of 009 items from Hereford Model Centre and many people were able to purchase desired items.

You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 28 March and 25 April, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 25 January 2016

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 25 January 2016

Next meeting: Monday 29 February.

Our first meeting of the New Year was attended by 32 adults and a junior, all of whom seemed to be glad to get together after the long break since our last meeting in November. We welcomed a couple of new members, and expressed our best wishes for a speedy recovery to an absent member who had suffered stroke – get well soon, Richard. The raffle postponed from the last meeting was held, raising some useful funds and providing the winners with some good prizes, most of which had been donated by traders at our Open Day last October.

As usual the test tracks were in constant use, the star attraction being a Bachmann ‘Skarloey’ 0-4-2 loco, based on a Talyllyn Railway prototype, as featured in last month’s 009 News. Dave Churchill was the proud owner of this beautiful model, and anyone wanting one should contact the 009 Sales Team ASAP. Once the ‘face’ has been replaced by a new smokebox cover, as manufactured by CWRailways, a lovely 009 loco can be created, extending the possibilities of narrow gauge modelling with a quality ready-to-run product. The future structure of the group and the impact of its organisation on the plans for the proposed show in October 2017 in Tewkesbury were discussed, particularly in relation to the uncertain future of the Shepton Mallet show. Much assistance from many people will be needed to make a bigger show successful, with early planning being a pre-requisite. You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow- gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 29 February and 28 March, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 31 December 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 31 December 2015

Next meeting: Monday 25 January 2016.

Our group did not meet in December due to all the seasonal festivities but hopefully Santa will have brought some goodies to those who’ve been good this year. Bring them along to our next meeting for an informal ‘show and tell’ session.

Our January meeting will feature the raffle that was postponed from our November meeting, because someone (mea culpa!) forgot the raffle tickets. Any unwanted Christmas presents could be donated to the raffle, especially if they have any railway interest.

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of every month except December, our next meetings being on 25 January and 29 February, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 30 November 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 30 November 2015

Next meeting: Monday 25 January 2016.

Our November meeting was attended by 34 people, just short of last month’s all-time record of 35. We welcomed first-time visitor PJ, who came on the recommendation of an existing member. This is a gratifying way to recruit new people and the continued loyal support of so many existing members shows the group is obviously providing something that people enjoy. The regular attendance of the contingent from the West Midlands 009 Group is much appreciated. In the Christmas spirit of giving to those less fortunate, the usual £2.00 paid for admission, a total of £68.00, will be donated to a charity, ‘The Railway Children’, a choice that was widely endorsed.

Although the test tracks were providing opportunities for members to run locos and stock, notably with Blair Hobson running an HOe diesel loco based on a Russian prototype, the main part of the evening was a sumptuous buffet of Christmas food – many thanks to all who contributed. Due to a memory lapse by yours truly who forgot the tickets, the Christmas raffle had to be postponed until our January meeting, when many interesting and valuable prizes will up for grabs, including several donated at the meeting- thanks to all the donors. Any unwanted Christmas presents could be donated for when the raffle does finally take place!

Martyn Davies brought along some 009 items from the shop where works part-time, for sale at discounted prices, though it seems that many people’s visits to the Warley show over the weekend had exhausted their finances- either that or their partners had confiscated their wallets! At the Warley show two group members, Allan Law and Jez Kirkwood, won the prize for the Best Large Scale Exhibit, with their ‘Waterfield Hall’ layout. Though at 1:12 scale it is way beyond 009 scale, the achievement of our group members is worthy of recording here.

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of every month except December, our next meetings being on 25 January and 29 February, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 26 October 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 26 October 2015

Next meeting: Monday 30 November.

Our October meeting was attended by no fewer than 35 adults plus one junior, an all-time record. We welcomed first-time visitor James, who lives locally in Pershore and we welcomed back several members from further afield who had not been able to attend for a while.

As usual the test tracks were providing opportunities for members to run locos and stock, but the main focus of the evening was reviewing our Open Day, held on Saturday 10 October at Corse & Staunton Village Hall. This was well attended with 112 adults paying to get in- children were free although only 9 came. Anecdotal feedback was that the visitors enjoyed the show, as did the exhibitors, and the traders had a good day too. The magnificent catering provided by Jane Thompson Webb and her team was much appreciated by all, raising £220 for the West Midlands Ambulance. The show itself generated a small surplus, just in to three figures, for the group’s funds which will be put towards costs incurred in setting up our next show in October 2017 at Tewkesbury School and making our Christmas meeting free to attend- mince pies will be provided. Thanks go to all involved in making this year’s Open Day a success, especially the exhibitors, traders (and for their donations of prizes to our Christmas raffle), organisers and helpers on the day, and- not least- those who supported the event by attending. Some pictures of the event are being posted on our website, www.m5-m50ngm.co.uk and a report appears elsewhere in this month’s News.

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of every month except December, our next meetings being on 30 November and 25 January 2016, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 28 September 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 28 September 2015

Next meeting: Monday 26 October.

Our August Bank Holiday meeting was attended by 25 people but not your reporter, so apologies for the lack of a report in last month’s News. Our September meeting attracted 26 people, despite some regulars being absent because of illness or car-trouble. We welcomed John Hill, who had travelled down from the Bloxwich St John’s model railway club in the West Midlands and another visitor who had been at work that day in Swindon – it’s good to know people travel from far and wide to visit us.

As usual the test tracks were providing opportunities for members to run locos and stock, but the main focus of the evening was finalising the arrangements for our Open Day, on Saturday 10 October at Corse & Staunton Village Hall. This will have taken place by the time this report is published but hopefully it will have been well attended and gone well. A report will appear in the next issue. A date for your diary- ‘Journey’s End’ cemetery layout will be on show at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s Flag and Whistle café at Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT, on Saturday 31 October, in an appropriate Halloween guise (see separate article in this issue-Ed).

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 26 October and 30 November, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 27 July 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 27 July 2015

Next meeting: Monday 31 August, Bank Holiday.

Our last meeting saw 25 people enjoying even more cake than usual whilst sharing their enthusiasm for all things narrow gauge, including a DVD of narrow-gauge Garratt locos in South Africa, kindly brought in by Bob Ayres. The test tracks were providing their usual facilities for members to run locos and stock, though regrettably these were not recorded.

Some time was spent discussing the plans for our Open Day, on Saturday 10 October 2015 at Corse & Staunton Village Hall, Gloucester Road (A417), Staunton, GL19 5RQ. The show opens at 10.00 and the 009 Sales Stand will be in attendance, admission £4.00, under 16s free. The group sends its best wishes to Steve Mann, who was due to have some surgery the day after our meeting. Hopefully his recovery is going well and Steve will be showing his layout at the Open Day in October.

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 31 August (Bank Holiday) and 28 September, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.

Nicolas Wheatley

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 25 May 2015

M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 25 May 2015

Next meeting: Monday 29 June.

Our numbers in May were the lowest ever at 17, in contrast to April, which saw our highest ever attendance. Hopefully this was down to the Bank Holiday and the start of half term week. Unfortunately several of the West Midlands contingent could not be with us, probably the first time they’ve missed our meeting, resulting in some spare cakes for the first time ever! A special mention must go to Scott, a visitor who travelled all the way from Swansea, a round trip of over 200 miles. The group’s reputation has obviously reached far and wide!

Adrian Ponting delighted members with a tiny model of ‘Polar Bear’ and three coaches from the Isle of Man’s Groundle Glen railway. He’d made these in 1985, the loco being a Saltford Models kit, and the way they were still running after so long was impressive. Also on the 009 test track was an 09 diesel loco made by Dave Dyer from a Minimum Gauge body on a Kato chassis, complete with driver, pulling a short rake of some scratch built wagons, the whole ensemble showing to good effect that ‘Ready to Run’ trains aren’t the only way to provide an attractive train.

You can be assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts, whose interests cover a variety of scales. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 29 June and 27 July, starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk

Nicolas Wheatley