Page 24 - November December 2007

2007 Annual Convention – a new member’s viewpoint
I am a new member – very new. In fact I joined very shortly after a conversation with Nobby Clarke at the N Gauge 40th Anniversary Exhibition. I have just attended the Annual Con- vention, where I have mainly had a very enjoyable time with like-minded modellers, most of whom are prepared to share their knowledge with a newcomer such as myself.
I arrived at about 4 pm on the Friday at the Elizabeth Hotel, Copdock and was immediately faced by a crowd of members in the reception area. They were either trying to register with Paul Atkinson and his merry crew or trying to register at the reception desk that seemed to be quite overwhelmed at the time. However, although at first it seemed to be chaotic I soon realised it was organ- ised chaos and was very soon settling into my room.
At this point I should point out that I am disabled, although I can move around for short distances at times under my own steam. However, for most of the weekend I was in my manual wheelchair. After unpacking and settling into my room I went out to foyer to try to establish the basics of the weekend and see what clinics I would need to reserve a place for. There was only one – the N Scale kit-building clinic. I then wandered over to find the exhibition room.
This made me change my opening comment about the weekend from not including the word ‘mainly’ to including it, because it was not easy to use the hotel’s ramps, put in the hotel to conform with the Disabled Persons Act – they were too steep! Without the help of the other conventioneers I was not able to get up them – going down was great – I just had to watch how fast I was going.
At the exhibition room I was pleased to find most of the stands were displaying their wares or exhibitions. Also, they were prepared to answer my questions – and indeed Neal Carnaby, of Neal’s N-gauging Trains, remarked that these questions were those we all ask when we are learning. After wandering around the room in my chair for an hour or so I went back to my room to get ready for dinner.
This again proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable affair – I joined Nobby Clarke, Terry Page and two of their friends at their table and was included in their conversations and made to feel really welcome. As a newcomer to our branch of modelling and our Association, this was greatly appreciated. So to the main day of our convention and the AGM; the first thing I did after breakfast was to check page 10 of the exhibition guide included with our registration fee to find out the time of the clinic on scenery being held Pelle Soeberg. This was 10 am, so I found I had time to have a quick browse at the SPV stand and, as it happens, buy a book by Pelle and a couple of other books. I then went to the clinic where I found Pelle’s weathering methods fascinating – I learnt so much in the hour spent with him. The message being passed on was ‘less is more’. His methods were so simple that I (and, as it turned out, several others) were amazed we had not thought of the method ourselves.
David Chandler
I found Pelle’s style of presentation to be very good, and his own manner was very self-deprecating. He was a joy to listen to and he was very good at putting his ideas across.
Back in the exhibition room I spent the rest of the day buying items, looking at the exhibitions (and videoing some of them) and asking questions. To the experienced modellers some of these must have seemed pretty silly, and to those who answered my questions I say a truly heartfelt ‘Thank you’.
Soon it was time for the raffle at 4 o’clock. John Hey was the master (?) of ceremonies for this event and he managed to withstand the banter from all and sundry for 45 minutes. There were about 100 prizes – very generous efforts by all those members and traders who donated them.
From the raffle we found our way to the AGM, which was held in the Constable Suite. This again was inter- esting, but at the same time a little disappointing, as when the time came to discuss the matter of why there were problems with BR members receiving their copy of ‘Scale Rails’, a couple of members objected to the time being taken over by ‘a minority matter’. I thought those who pay for this as part of our subscription are entitled to know why it is not being delivered. As I said earlier, I found the attitude disappointing.
All of the Agenda having been covered, the meeting was adjourned and we went our separate ways to get ready for the banquet.
Again this was a very enjoyable evening, and for me the highlight of the evening was the auction of an HO ‘Big Boy’ for Children in Need that had been donated by the Horizon company and brought to us by ‘Penguin’. This eventually went for the amazing amount of £300. A truly generous offer and going to a very good cause. This, to me, was yet another example of the generosity of the members who attended this year.
The weekend gradually ran down on Sunday and I attended the Pelle clinic on scenery techniques. The same comments as for his previous clinic apply to this one. I went out of the room for a few minutes at Pelle’s clinic and unfortunately, whilst reading a book about the Union Pacific as well as talking to our new President Tim Rudge, I managed to miss the N Scale clinic I had booked into – many apologies to Peter Harris for this. The convention then concluded with snacks in the Exhi- bition room and then we proceeded to go our merry ways through a thoroughly wet Sunday afternoon.
In conclusion, I would recommend anyone who is a member to go to next year’s Convention at Kegworth. Indeed, I have already filled in my booking form. My wife (who could not attend this year) and I are looking forward to the next meet, and certainly the next Convention. So here you have a newcomer’s point of view and what we do when we first get involved.
 rOUNdHOUSe