Page 23 - November December 2013

allowed as it is trademarked, and as it incorporates the NMRA web address, it is not appropriate as the sole logo for the Region. Four alternatives based on the style of the NMRA logo but with a British Region identity had been displayed and voted on and the result of the vote was given. It is proposed that for the time being, the new logo will be used alongside the existing one and the position reviewed at a future date.
No bids for the 2015 Convention were forthcoming.
The President announced that the BoD had looked at awarding Freedom of the Region to certain members who had made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Region over many years and had decided to award four members in this way. The recipients are Derek Frow, Ellis James­Robertson, Derek Milby and Tom Winlow.
Terry Wynne raised the issue of the Region Bell, which is at Bressingham. He is offering the Crewe Heritage Centre as a future home for the bell, where it could be used to publicise the Region. The BoD will consider the options and make a proposal. Tom Winlow announced that a revision to the British Region Module Specification was to be published on the website shortly.
Both the NMRA and British Region send out electronic news­ letters by email. Members with email addresses who are not receiving these should contact John Firth.
The next AGM will be at the Carrington House Hotel, Bourne­ mouth on 18 October 2014.
Freedom of the Region
Freedom of the Region is effectively an Honorary Life Membership and is only rarely awarded. At the AGM this award was bestowed on four stalwarts of the Region. The recipients were:
Derek Frow
Derek joined the NMRA in 1974. He was Vice President 1981–83 and President 1983–85 and Past President 1985–86. He was Contest Chairman 1986–95. He led the organisation of the 1982 Convention at Stoke Rochford and the Dawlish Convention in 1985. He has hosted with his late wife meetings at his home on the first Wednesday of each month for over 30 years.
Ellis James­Robertson
Ellis joined the NMRA in 1956. He was Vice President 1960–61 and President 1961–63. He was Vice President again 1967–68 and 1983–85, President 1985–86 and Past President 1986–88. He organised the 1962 Convention at Droitwich that memorably included the Region taking over the Bromyard branch for steam train driving. He ran a further Convention at Droitwich in 1965. Additionally his house and garden were thrown open to Region members for meets and various meetings.
Derek Milby
Derek joined the NMRA in 1983. He led the organisation of the 1989 Convention at Lakeside and numerous memorable weekend events at Ulverston. He continued until recent illness to represent the NMRA with displays at local shows.
Tom Winlow
Tom joined the NMRA in 1987. He was Vice President 1992–94, President 1994–96 and Past President 1996–98. Tom was heavily involved in the revision of the Region Constitution when the NMRA ”Long­Term Plan” introduced major changes to the organisation of the NMRA and its Regions. More recently he has spearheaded the British Region Module Specification, which appears to be revolutionising modular meets and co­operation between groups. This included drafting the specification, running clinics and authoring several articles on the subject.
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Here is the final form of the new BR logo
Another shot of the High Wycombe group “Prospect Point” at Meriden.
Photo: Rod Welch