Page 11 - January February 2002

CARS...
(All items by the Editor unless otherwise credited)
Mike Ingham writes...
TREES
The craft shop chain “Hobbycraft” who have branches in Reading, Sheffield, Preston, Nottingham, Greenford and Northampton and other towns too, have a very useful and cheap tree-like dried plant on sale in their flower-arrangement department. The plant is called “Setaria” and it comes in purple, pink, blue and a colour that defies description being a sort of faded turquoise. Luckily for us it also comes in “Natural” and “Green”, the green is about the right shade for evergreens that grow in a temperate climate and the natural is about right for a tree growing in a more arid location. There are two sizes, the smaller being about 2-1/2” long and about 1” in diameter the larger one has various lengths in the pack from 2-1/2” to 4-1/2” by about 1”. It is a tuft on the end of a stalk about 12” long. Cost is £1-99 per pack and you get approx. 18 pieces in a pack, they do vary a bit in number. The bar code number is 5 060009 201179 . Hobbycraft are in other towns in addition to those I know of and a call to 0118 902 8600 the Reading branch will tell you if there is one near you.
The Southtrak Club...
...would be interested to hear from owners of O scale North American exhibition layout, located not too far from Eastbourne, who might be interested in being included in Southtrak’s next show in November 2002. Contact Ben Robins at 9 Kenton Ct., 45-47 Jevington Gdns., Eastbourne BN21 4EH ben.rail@btinternet.com
From Ken O’Shea...
Re: the recent dues hike mentioned in the Dec. 2001 Editorial; we have been going for over 3 years as an operating division at the Hilltop Centre at Plymouth. Thriving, on the face of it, our numbers have been boosted by local casual modellers who insist on not joining NMRA (but it pays our rent!).
The Newton Abbot Butcher Boys (and Girls) bring exhibition standard HO and N layouts to our monthly meets. The HO modular group have produce 40 to 50 ft. of modules in various stages of completion, the Cornish O group bring their latest projects - in general we have a great time.
On the downside, I advertise in local freebie newspapers for potential members. A small number turn up but go away shaking their heads at the high standard of modelling, never to be seen again. Perhaps we need a simplified layout format which is within their potential? The gloomier picture is our SW Division of NMRA-BR has slipped from 40 members down to 24 in the past 3 years (one deceased, Ray Hamilton) and the derails have mostly been from outside our 30 mile catchment area, as our division is vast.
In the words of the lyricist W. S. Gilbert “A Most Unusual Paradox!” Or is it?
From Roger Street...
Dear Martin,
I write to say how disappointed I am to see two particular ‘advertisements’ in the December issue. I thought that such copy was for traders to air their wares and not their grievances. If, as members,
we have strong views to disseminate, it should be done through your services. There is no place for incitement to boycott meetings, and it can only be counterproductive for these traders. Customers will simply go to polite, non- threatening dealers.
I trust this matter will not lead to a trading of insults within NMRA (BR).
FOLKSTON, Ga
Bob Warren sends pictures (left) of the neat covered train- watchers’ platform, which is east of the CSX tracks at Folkston Ga., opposite the restored depot. Folkston, though a tiny town, is one of the busiest spots in the area.
This is how it should be done!
TIMETABLE
2002
NMRA Membership Cards needed for all Region Meet Entry.
Spring Meet 2002
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March Ulverston
Late Summer Meet 2002
Sunday 9th September Rainhill Village Hall
CONVENTION 2002
18th, 19th & 20th October Redwood Lodge Hotel & Country Club, Failand, nr. Bristol (Booking Form on page 15)
LOCAL GROUP/DIVISION DETAILS ...SEE DIVISION DIARY
OR DIRECTORY
ANNUAL DUES:
National Full £43 pa
Affiliate £27 pa
Youth £32 pa
(The above figures include £10.50 pa British Region membership)
APPLICATIONS for Membership, Changes of Details, address etc. to:
REGION REGISTRAR: Vernon Stone, Capilano, Moneyrow Green, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 2NA.
Tel. 01628 627537
See DIRECTORY for all other Officers and Dues Information.
The Views expressed in ROUNDHOUSE are those of the Individual Concerned, and not necessarily those of the EDITOR, OFFICERS or ASSOCIATION.
***************
THE 2002 DIRECTORY:
A couple of problems have been picked up. It is possible your copy might have some pages missing - please check to see if you need a re- placement. If so please contact Ver- non Stone, our Registrar.
Secondly, on the back page, the edi- tor’s e-mail address is incorrect. It shows a full stop between “ed” and “nmra” whereas it should show an underscore. The e-mail address is correctly shown in the information on Page 4 of the Directory and also in Roundhouse itself at the bottom of page 3.
FEBRUARY 2002 11