Page 18 - November December 2011

relevant paperwork and official documentation. The President concluded this item by thanking the team of Steve Park, Anthony Martin, Jonathan Small and Terry Wynne. Members showed their appreciation with applause.
The Atlantic Director’s report is available in the October edition of Roundhouse.
In response to John Spratley’s request at the last AGM for change/clarification to the Region’s Constitution, the Ballot Chairman gave details of the process adopted in undertaking a review of the key issues involved. The output from the review concluded that the constitution, as currently written, should not be altered. The President thanked the Ballot Chairman and the team of three ‘elders’ who had undertaken the review. A number of points were raised by members, and in particular John Spratley opined a view that all BoD members should be limited to two two­year terms of office, but this was not adopted by other members.
The Ballot Officer reported that as no other nominations had been received, the Board of Directors (BoD) would continue with: Robin Swan – President, Keith Webb – Vice President, John Firth – Membership Director, Patrick Grace – Hon Treas­ urer, and Steve Scott – Secretary.
The Secretary reported that there were a number of vacancies for Appointed Officers: 1. Annual Directory (vice Tom Winlow), 2. Publicity (vice Mike Hughes), 3. Webmaster (vice Peter Borcherds). No one had come forward so far, although discussions continue with a possible successor for the Annual Directory, therefore the BoD would continue to seek volunteers to fill these important roles.
The Secretary reported a couple of changes to Divisional Representatives/Group Organisers: Eastern Division (06) – Mike Arnold has moved out of the ‘area’ and a replacement is sought; the West Midlands (Mid West Central Group) – Brian Tovey had left the NMRA and Kathy Millatt is now the organiser (temporary); West Riding, Yorkshire Group has an on­going vacancy for an organiser.
Members noted the willingness of the Ballot Chairman to continue in this role and, therefore, Proposer: Tom Watson, Seconded: Tom Winlow and Approved by a show of hands the re­appointment of Rai Fenton.
Other Business
The first item under this heading was the ‘recruitment and retention of new members’. Peter Borcherds observed that communication with the ‘younger generation’ of potential and new members could be best facilitated using tools such as Facebook, Twitter etc. Mike Hughes felt that there is a per­ ception that new members feel the organisation does not welcome them. Stuart Wood gave an account of how other railway modelling organisations attracted younger members and queried whether the NMRA­BR should not adopt similar tactics. A number of suggestions were put forward for ways of positively engaging with new members. The BoD will take these on board and add them to the measures currently under consideration.
Nigel Bowyer asked how many shows the British Region is actually invited to? The President responded to this by outlining the programme of key shows where the Region takes the large publicity stand and also a number of shows where publicity material is taken by members manning an exhibition layout. Attention was drawn to our absence from the Nottingham show; however, it was pointed out that a significant level of locally based support is required to man up a stand for a three day/weekend show, and efforts to obtain same for Nottingham were not forthcoming. The President encouraged all members to support the NMRA at local shows. Derek Milby supported this and emphasised that it is not just the BoD’s responsibility to promote the NMRA­BR but that it is the responsibility of all members.
Mike Arnold spoke about the work done on Modular Standards. Mike encouraged members to talk to the RS Tower team who were here at the Convention. The standards will shortly be submitted to the BoD and issued to the Region.
The President brought the meeting to a conclusion with a note of thanks and reminded those present that the next Annual General Meeting would take place on Saturday 20 October 2012 in Kegworth starting at 17:00 hrs. Forms for next year’s Convention, The Soar Valley Special, could be collected from the front of the room.
Contests and Awards at the Bournemouth Convention
A fine autumn weekend in Dorset produced an encouraging set of results. The Model Contest generated 12 Merit Awards from 19 entries, and the winners gained an average of 99 points per model. There were seven entries in the Photog­ raphy and varied submissions in the Non­Rail section.
Display – On-line
Rex Nichamin. Canadian Grain Elevator (101 points). 1st Place
Steam locomotives
Martin Dormer. Canadian Pacific 0­6­6­0 Mallet (92). 1st Place
Mick Moignard. DRGW locomotive # 462 in HOn3 (90). 2nd Place
Non-Revenue Cars
Thomas Griffiths. R&C Business Car #88 in HO (112). 1st Place. Best in Show David Cole. Sumpter Valley Wedge Plow (88). 2nd Place
Caboose
Mick Moignard. DRGW Caboose/Outfit Car in HOn3 (111). 1st Place
Freight Cars
Mick Moignard. DRGW Gondola #9019 in HOn3 (107). 1st Place
David Cole. Coffin Tank Car (96). 2nd Place
David Cole. Ohio River & Western Gondola “Hughes Mining” (94). 3rd Place David Cole. Turtle Creek Central Boxcar (93).
Display – Off-line
Kathy Millatt. Martin Machine Mill in HO (109). 1st Place
Kathy Millatt. Bikini Carwash in HO (93). 2nd Place
Non-Rail Contest Results
Christine Smith gained two awards in the Needlecraft section for her cross­ stitching. Similarly, Sue Mazonowicz had two successes in the Handicraft category for her knitted entries.
In Artwork Jenny Lloyd­Jones won 1st Place for her painting of a young boy and Noleen Park gained 2nd Place for her “Sunflowers”. Noleen also came 1st in the photo section with her entry “Poppy Field on the Yorkshire Wolds”.
Mary Klaus took 2nd with her entry of the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco. Ted Smale had success with his whimsical model “Wee Jimmy’s Free Range Haggis Farm”.
Region AP News 2011
It has been a difficult year communicating with National Officers, particularly with
regard to getting necessary stationery. Supplies were exhausted and bulk re­ printing was required in the USA. Rod Franklin showed commendable patience, waiting over a year to receive his MMR plaque.
Sadly, Tony Martin MMR has resigned and his input will be missed. Any mem­ ber interested in judging or working for the department will be most welcome. There have been continuing successes within our ranks. Tom Griffiths from New Jersey has visited our convention two years in succession, gained Merit Awards on both visits, acted as a judge and also enjoyed running sessions at the weekend at the Crewe Heritage Centre. Great fun to have him here. Alain Kap of Luxembourg has gained certificates for Scenery, Civil, Electrical, Dispatcher, Volunteer, Structures and is now only one certificate away from gaining his MMR. Roger Nicholls has been successful with Volunteer and Author certificates, Terry Wynne now has a Motive Power Builder certificate and Kathy Millatt was presented with her Author certificate at the Bournemouth Banquet.
Steve Park, Contests 2011 and AP
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