Page 15 - September October 2000

Region Matters...
NMRA (BR) AGM
The AGM of the British Region will take place at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, on Friday 20th October 2000 at 9.00pm.
Agenda:
1) Apologies for Absence
2) Minute of the Last Meeting
3) Matters Arising
4) President’s Report
5) Treasurer’s Report
6) Trustee’s Report
7) Reports from other Officers
8) Convention 2001
9) To Receive Bids for Convention 2002
10) Other Future Region Meetings
11) Ballot Chairman’s Report
12) Installation of Officers for the Term 2000-2001
13) Any Other Business
14) Date, Time and Location of Next
Meeting
Stephen S Park
Region Secretary
Nominations wanted...
Treasurer Len Firth has indicated that he does not wish to be nominated for the po- sition of Treasurer for the term 2000-2001. As no other nomination for this position had been made by the recent deadline, the procedure must be repeated.
Nominations for the position of Region Treasurer should be received by Ballot Chairman Rai Fenton by Tuesday 31st Oc- tober 2000.
The Two Alans (Whitehead and Jervis) ran a small N scale layout...
It began life as Roger Nicholls “Masters Touch” and has certainly travelled in its time, under various ownerships. However it has worn well and continues to give good service, though in the course of time it has lost its original name. It gave great pleasure in the capable hands of the unique Two Alans, hosted some great consists and worked well.
Lastly there was Calder Northern’s Special Interest Group with Andy Wicks showing modules produced to date...
At present these are bare except for track work. Some are the work of Alan Rodgers (that chap gets everywhere!). Unfortunately some gremlins struck in the morning but by lunch time they were sorted out. This layout is scheduled for the convention, and by then should be really worth seeing.
As usual, the trade was well represented. In the main hall was Mike Taylor with American Rail - a large range of N and HO, plus some G scale.
Steam Powered Video, complete with their vast range of tapes on just about every American railroad, were there, with our old friend Mike Lenz keeping an eye on matters. He also had some interesting items for sale.
Brenda Porter and Mike Wynn were in charge of the Porter Wynn stand - here you could find almost anything you wanted, brass locos, Athearn, Bachmann and a multitude of desirable parts. If they didn’t have it on the stand, they could get it for you.
M .G. Sharp of Sheffield also set up in the main hall, with Ken Eaglesham in charge. Their range keeps getting bigger and bigger. Up on the stage was Ceepeear Models with Ken Needham doing the honours - always something of interest.
Alongside was Barry Bennett with the Region library in attendance, to loan out books to members (and collect fines for those overdue!) He also had a range of NMRA badges and supplies that the discerning modeller might require.
In the Willow Room, round the corner from the front desk, was Big John’s Trains, John and Mary Hey catering to your every need. The stock here is also constantly increasing (I think they must be breeding inside those boxes!) Alongside was Terry Page with LSWR Models, with Penguin to keep order. There were plenty of buyers in this room.
Upstairs in the small hall was John Parker in charge of Western Models. His stand
was awash with all manner of goodies. In the centre were the Bring & Buy tables under the watchful eye of Adrian Thornber. The tables were like an Aladdin’s Cave with every conceivable item to be found. Of course, they generated great interest in everyone visiting the meet.
During the event, the Region half yearly business meeting was held. It was reasonably well attended, and under the expert hand of Treasurer Len Firth, the Region finances are doing well.
The main item discussed was that, at that time, we had no firm proposal for the 2001 Convention. Hopeful news was to hand on this topic - Secretary Steve Park had received word from the Moat House Hotel Group offering us use of certain of their hotels for future conventions. Tony Martin was to follow up this welcome information. (Resulting in the now-confirmed Northampton bid. Ed.)
Other matters aired will be found in the published minutes. (August issue)
It wouldn’t be Rainhill without the
Calder Northern ladies...
...they were there as usual manning the
front desk as well as the kitchen. Joan
and Gordon Nelhams took charge of
catering and put on a great menu of
snacks and sandwiches for lunch, very
ably assisted by Betty Burghall, Margaret
Rodgers and Wendy Coates. On the front
desk were Pam Gunn, Irene Martin and Pat Barnes.
With a little arm twisting I managed to get Wend Coates and Pat Barnes to sell raffle tickets for me for the afternoon draw. They did a great job, taking over £100 which went towards group funds. The draw was hosted by the one and only John Hey (he can shout louder than me anyway!). Naturally enough, with John in charge the draw was undertaken in fine style and the prizes rapidly disappeared. Here I wish to express sincere thanks to all those already named and also to those who were not (they know who they are). My sincere thanks to all those who gave so freely of their time. Without their support we’d have no Summer Meet. My thanks also to those who brought layouts for the benefit of others to enjoy, and to the traders whose presence makes all the difference. It would not be the same without them, that’s for sure.
At the end of the show, after
all the work has been repeated once again, we make for home hoping that all visitors enjoyed themselves. I know I did just that - here’s to the next one!
Postal Ballot for NMRA (BR) Vice-President...
Paul Doggett & Paul Lynott have been nominated for the po- sition of NMRA (BR) Vice President for the 2000/2001 term of of- fice, and the postal ballot form should be included with this edi- tion of Roundhouse.
All regular members are entitled to vote and completed forms should be returned to Ballot Chairman Rai Fenton by Wednesday 18th October 2000.
OCTOBER 2000 15