Page 7 - May June 1999

Convention budget.
Why a hotel? This is the only full social event in the Region’s calendar - typically about a third of the Conventioneers staying in the hotel are members’ wives or partners. There are events laid on for the ladies (“non-rails” in PC-speak), and on Saturday evening a banquet is held with speeches (short ones!) and the presentations of various awards. Inevitably, a reasonable standard of hotel is required (but not “plush expensive”) to attract the ladies and to get the required Convention rooms. My wife, for one, looks forward to the Convention as a time to meet the many friends she has made through the hobby. (Derek Milby’s Ulverston dos also are more than just a two-day meet because he organises a social side too.)
Every effort is made to keep the hotel cost down - a professional negotiator is normally used (a wife of a member). This type of weekend will not appeal to every member, but the Region is a broad church with plenty of other meetings at Region and Divisional level for those with different priorities for their money. Each group of Convention organisers tries to ring the changes to some extent, and the number of full registrants is holding up well - over the last six years it varied between 116 (in 1997) and about 150 (1994 & 1998), with the 50th anniversary Convention at Poole being way over that. Day visitors have varied between about 60 and 220, with the total number of Conventioneers varying between about 220 and 400.
More and better layouts? Keith Webb’s recent attempt to set up a layout data- base resulted in just three responses (including one from John Wright). Word of mouth and attending as many meetings and exhibitions as possible appears to be the only way that may result in new and interesting layouts being found. The Region Convention is only allowed to fund the extra transport cost of bringing layouts - paying hotel bills would be setting a dangerous precedent. Trying to hold a full public exhibition is just not on. Most hotels will not permit this, insurance is difficult and who wants layout barriers at the informal atmosphere of a Convention? We have few enough volunteers to organise Conventions, let alone exhibitions in a mini National
Convention style. Having American layouts at other’s exhibition is the ideal way to get publicity (what an example Derby sets every other year!). Open hours were tried on Saturday afternoons with just a nominal entry fee targeted at local modellers via local publicity, but it did not draw that many people, it was too much hassle and created difficulties with the hotel and insurance.
In conclusion. All the above is setting the record straight. There are plenty of other interesting ideas in John’s letter just asking to be taken on board, even if not
all at Region Conventions. I have sent a copy of the Region’s Convention Organisers’ Guide to John. Also I understand that there are a couple of decent Pennsy layouts somewhere up in Tyne and Wear...
LettersSpecial... COMMENTS ON RUSS COOK’S LETTER
IN THE APRIL ISSUE...
Paul Doggett writes
...regarding Russ Cook’s problems with uncalled-for rudeness from certain convention-goers (April issue.)
Paul says that considering the vast amount of work undertaken by convention organisers, do we need such loutish behaviour in the Region? The least the culprits should do is apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Cook and then resign.
Chris White says...
I must put pen to paper regarding Russ Cook’s Convention post mortem. As a member of a mere 5 years standing, I think Russ, Sue and family did a wonderful job. As a layout exhibitor, I found Russ an excellent host, helping me carry in the layout, answering questions in a friendly and cheerful manner, dealing with a water problem behind the layout on the Saturday. I was just one of many calling on his time. The treatment of Russ’s wife was disgusting - she was only trying to help out.
Wives, girlfriends and partners do a great deal of work at our events - without them a lot of things would not be possible.
I’ve helped organise shows in the past, nothing like the size of the convention, but it is still hard work with little thanks!
I also noticed, after the convention closed, the main
hall was in a messy state cigarette ends, half empty glasses, general rubbish strewn about. Is it too much to ask members to return empty crockery etc. evidently it is. This doesn’t endear us to hotels.
I know there are always some problems, but rudeness and arrogance we can well do without - those people should stay away. Despite all, my partner Sue and myself thought Russ, his family and helpers did a great job.
Peter Smith says...
When I first joined NMRA 7 or 8 years ago, I found little of interest in Roundhouse but now I read it cover to cover because I’m interested in the activities of NMRA-BR and the people in it. Some current content causes me concern. Everyone should read
Russ Cook’s report and reflect on it - he is not one to cause provocation for the sake of it. I assume Paul Doggett is the opposite though. and hope he has tongue firmly in cheek. I’m surprised he confuses N-Trak and NMRA standards. Though these are not the same, most N- Trak UK members are NMRA members, and so it should be. Please let’s not spread the animosities apparent in the USA over here! I remember the ‘gauge wars’ in British 4mm only too vividly - it was a contributory reason for my conversion to US outline.
Another key reason was to get away from the elitism and “friendly” people who knew everything that was wrong with your modelling but appreciated few of its merits.
The pleasures of N-Trak far outweigh its disadvantages. Though no longer my primary interest, I continue to enjoy the friendship offered and the realistic, long trains, a major feature of American railroading, winding around long layouts. The members’ pleasure is on their faces, and in the many feet of trackage, not the 6” joining pieces. N- Trak is evolving all the time, and at no N- Trak meet are other approaches to N scale modelling opposed or criticised.
There is room to improve all forms of American layout, and we are being left behind in some respects. But if the price is Factionalism, elitism and rubbishing of others’ efforts, even if only to provoke a response, then I for one say “forget it!”
Our intrepid lady walkers at the Bournemouth Convention!
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JUNE 1999
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