Page 4 - September October 2014

President’s Car
Sadly this is my last President’s Car, and I apologise now for the length of it, but there is quite a lot to try and fit in. July started with a couple of visits to Mike Tricker’s and the Swans 4th July BBQ at my house. It was quickly followed by my trip to the National Convention, which we had decided to turn into our main holiday. Now let me first tell you that Carol and I are known for things not going smoothly on our holidays. So much so, our friend sent us an email the weekend before we left saying, “Hurricanes in New England, terror alerts on the airlines, it must be time for Carol and Keith to go on holiday!” Well we made the best of it, but it was not as much fun as when we go out West, where there are no trees to spoil the view and we don’t have to travel everywhere on interstates! I was going to publish my adventure, including my experience of the Convention, in the e-Newsletter, this because many members tell me they do not like to have their Roundhouse filled with someone else’s holiday, and would prefer more modelling articles. I cannot argue with that! However, we have had to increase the number of pages for this issue of RH to 32 from the usual 24, and Martin needed something to fill it! I will not be offended if you skip over it.
With my daughter arriving home from Africa the week following our return from the USA (where she had been for two months working with cheetahs), I’m sorry to say I have done very little in getting out, or modelling! Rather choosing to spend the time together before she returns early to her new accommodation in Bristol, and the chance of a temporary job at Slimbridge.
However, I do seem to have caught the point-building bug, and after a really good clinic at the Convention run by Tim Warris (of Fast Tracks) and Clark Kooning (President NMRA Canada), I have started something which I not only hope to put into a later article, but will go a long way towards my Civil and Electrical sections of the Achievement Program.
I know there are a few more operating sessions planned throughout the summer, and I finally managed to get to one at Northampton with the Nene Valley group. They are just starting out, but they have an interesting set-up and this will evolve as they gain more experience. I had a great time there and it was good to see Ted Smale turn up also.
I’m pleased to say that in response to a member request, we are running a series of articles (which can be treated as a pull-out section) aimed towards modelling basics. Assembled and edited by Mike Arnold, this will hopefully not just prove useful to those new to modelling, but will also have useful info for those of us that have been ‘around the block’. There are certainly a few areas I need some basic skills in. I hope you enjoy.
Before I sign off, and in case you were wondering, a quick tally shows that I travelled approximately 3000 miles over the past two years while visiting the various groups (15 in total). This
Keith Webb
does not include return
visits, the two visits to
Belfast, or journeys to BoD
meetings – which were
mostly done by train. I’m
sorry I did not get to all the
groups but I will hand that
baton to Mike. At the time
of writing I would like you
to know that I have not
claimed any expenses for
these journeys, even though
I have been under pressure
to do so. I’m not rich, and I
do earn less than the
‘average’ wage, but I’ve had
fun, and I wouldn’t do it if I
wasn’t having fun. If I claim expenses, then that is not only less money for the Region to do more for you, but it also feels like I’m stealing from you! I have always found that the more you give, the more you get out, and this has definitely proved true for me, both now and in the past.
I would like to give a big THANK YOU to all of you who have welcomed me on my travels around most of the country, and to those who have invited me into your homes. I also want to give another big THANK YOU to those who have given their own precious time so that other members and visitors can have fun. This is what makes us strong and is the whole point of belonging – to share what we have and what we know. Most of all I want to give a huge THANK YOU to my team, the BoD. Without their support, guidance and hard work we would not be where we are now. You cannot deny that we have made good progress, with an evolving website, superb marketing, a refined library (which still needs a home) and a general good feeling in the Region. Yes we could have done a lot more, but before we could get down to the fun part, we had to sort a few legacy issues out first. I must request that you please give Mike and his team your continued support, both in spirit, but more importantly in physical help. Please fill those vacancies.
Do I have any regrets? No! I have enjoyed the experience and hope I have done some good. I also hope that I have encouraged others to get more involved. Remember, the job is what you make it, nothing is cast in stone, and you can’t change anything from the outside. One more point and important reminder any such role brings, is that it is very important to work as a team and to PLAY NICE! That is so much easier to do when it’s Fun, and it’s more fun when it’s easier! It’s even more fun when more folk are sharing the load (and the know-how!).
(Gets down off stool, folds it up and places in briefcase. Leaves room fetching hanky out – ready to hold a very cold beer!)
Keith’s photo of the Station Inn, at Cresson, a few miles west of Horseshoe Curve Pa.
The inn owner offers a craftsman kit of the inn
(only available from him)
See Keith’s article on his travels to the Convention
4 ROUNDHOUSE