Page 8 - November December 2010

REGIONCALENDAR
NMRA British Region: Winter Meet
will be held on Saturday 15 January 2011 at the Benson Village Hall. Dealers and those setting up layouts will have access from 08:00 and the meet will run from 10:00 until 16:00.
Benson is approximately 9 miles south of Oxford on the Oxford– Reading road A4074. As you approach the village from the north, turn left by the ‘BP’ fuel stop onto the A4009 Watlington road. The hall is second on the left as you pass through the village. There is ample parking at the venue.
At the time of writing there is a bus route that stops near the petrol station. It is the X39/X40 Reading to Oxford bus. The times are (as at April 2010): 05 and 30 from Reading Station and 20 and 50 past the hour from St Aldates in Oxford. We will update the NMRA website nearer the time of the Winter Meet.
Our friendly and eager dealers will be there, including Americantrains.co.uk (N gauge), Back 2 Bay 6 (Garden Railways), Brian’s Trains (secondhand etc), Brian White (his bibs and bobs), LSWR (HO & N + Books), Page Components (tools etc), Railroad Trading (HO & N + Books), Richard Maxwell (brass locos), Ted Smale (Digitrax) & SPV (DVDs and books) and a secondhand book dealer.
We hope to have a good range of layouts. Those booked include Worcester N gauge and their N gauge modular layout.
The BR library will be available throughout the day and Marie’s Kitchen (otherwise known as Mrs Ingham) will provide her famous selection of hot and cold filled rolls and hot dogs, hot and cold drinks and biscuits – served in the dining area.
There will also be a number of bring and buy tables.
Further details and directions can be had from Robin Swan at 0118 979 2448 or Michael Ingham at 0118 987 2707.
We look forward to seeing you all.
Advance Notice
Region Spring Meet 2011 will be held on Saturday 30 April at the Venture Centre 2000, Wignall Street, Lawford near Manningtree, Essex CO11 2JG from 10.00 till 16.30. Hosted by the Thameside Sub­Division.
Themed Meet – N gauge madNess 2011
The American Modular Meet
16–18 September 2011. At the Ukrainian Centre, Bridge Lane, Weston on Trent, Derbyshire DE72 2BU.
For participants and madNess supporters. (Note: 18 September is a ‘public admitted’ day)
Themed Meet
Sunday 2 October 2011 – Crewe Heritage Centre.
2011 Region Convention
The Belle visits Bournemouth, 14–16 October 2011
“There is loads of comfortable seating in various different areas – leading to a very relaxed atmosphere, and ideal for a sit down and natter. Swimming pool looks good as well! Having been to many conventions this location really is top of the list,” were the words team leader John Pitty used to describe the venue chosen for the 2011 NMRA British Region Convention.
The Carrington House Hotel, Knyveston Road (the K is silent in case you’re wondering), Bournemouth, Dorset is ideally situated in a quiet, tree­lined avenue on the East Cliff, just outside the
town centre yet within easy reach of all the activities this popular town has to offer.
A popular choice amongst Bournemouth hotels, the impressive 145­bedroom Carrington House Hotel offers a diverse range of facilities, with something for everyone. It also benefits from its own car park with 85 spaces, and is only five minutes away from the main route into Bournemouth and the station.
The hotel offers comfortable accommodation with BT Openzone throughout, giving WiFi access in the bedrooms, public areas and conference rooms.
Bournemouth International Airport, Compton Acres, the historic Poole Quay and beautiful Dorset countryside are all within half an hour’s drive from the hotel, making the Carrington House Hotel an ideal choice amongst Bournemouth hotels for a relaxing weekend break, Dorset holiday or sightseeing trip.
Although the main team for this Convention are mainly members of Seaboard Southern Group, they are working closely with people in and around Dorset and Hampshire. Plans are well advanced, with layouts, traders and clinics already confirmed. Confirmed traders include: LSWR Models, SPV, Brian’s Trains, Redruth Model Shop, CML Electronics, Western Models, Quince Valley Designs, N Scale kits and PECO.
Clinics/talks include: Frank Angstead (President/CEO of Inter­ Mountain Railway Company); Kim Fullbrook (Railways Illus­ trated magazine and author) presenting Railway Digital Photog­ raphy; and Ian Barefoot (Clear Solutions) showing how to make buildings from scratch.
The following layouts have already confirmed their attendance: RS Tower; Dorset and Hants NTrak; Dorset and Hants HO Group Modules; Wolf Creek; Snake River Bend; Haston; Santa Barbara; Camp 93.
Further layout details will be published in future issues of Roundhouse – or you could look at the Convention website for the latest information.
Registration for the whole weekend’s events is just £10, £7 for any one day, reduced to £5 for NMRA members.
To sum up: 2011 NMRA Convention, 14–16 October 2011 at Carrington House Hotel, Bournemouth. Make a note in your diary now.
Booking forms are available for download from the website www.bournemouthbelle2011.org.uk or from Bournemouth Belle 2011 Registrar, Boxtree Cottage, 6 Roman Lea, Cookham, Berks SL6 9BZ.
Mike Hughes
OTHER EVENTS
North Downs Model Railway Circle MRE
19 March (Saturday) 2011, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
The Good Shepherd Church Hall, Station Approach Road, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5AE.
Adults £5, under 16s £3, senior citizens £4 and families (2 + 2) £10.
All profits to Good Shepherd Church.
28 layouts invited. British outline: Cobnor [OOn9], Craigdarroch [OO BR(Sc)], Sticky End [N SR], Southwell’s Yard [EM industrial], North Chard [OO GWR], Buckton [BR N], Exchange Sidings [OO LNER/BR(E)], Coedlei Sidings [OO BR 2010s], Neilsbridge [OO BR 1980s], Nettlebridge Vale [OO SR/LMS], Eastern Valley [OO BR(W)], Halkyn [OO BR(LM) & preservation], Valle Crucis [OO LMS]. American outline: Oregon [G], Dry Run [On30], Carlville
8 rOUNdHOUSe