Page 4 - NMRA Roundhouse March-April 2020

I have to say that 2019 was a successful year for the Region resulting from all
of the activities organised by our local groups and individuals and therefore a big thank you from myself and the other members of the BoD is fully justified.
We take for granted that events are organised for our enjoyment but with- out the time and effort put in by Region members, from booking the hall, layouts, traders, and other unseen requirements, events would not take place.
As you will appreciate from reading the January/February edition of Roundhouse, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken by the BoD, in particular Chris James, to update and streamline our renewal process.This undertaking is important in order that the Region holds accurate and up to date records for each and every member and to enable each member to renew their membership with the knowledge that the process will be simple and straightforward.
At the AGM held at Aberdeen, the BoD put to the members present the reasons why the new membership options have been introduced. It is essential that the British Region is maintained on a sound financial basis which has necessitated the new membership options being intro- duced. I have been asked since the Con- vention,“what do I receive for being a BR member, all I get is Roundhouse six times a year”.Well, in answer to that, these
are some of the services and benefits
you get for your subscription if you are
a full member. NMRA fellowship, shar-
ing know-how, Roundhouse Magazine, printed and online availability, Back2Bas- ics, (presently Part 18), NMRA member services, NMRA achievement programme, members online forum, member aid pro- gramme, British Region library, divisions and groups, annual convention, one day meets, and the NMRA BR mobile app. Other benefits are available as well.There is also the Members Only area too. Therefore the BoD would like to encour-
age every member who has previously received a notification that their member- ship is about to expire, to renew using the renewal process described in the previous issue.As a reminder, the address is https:// www.nmrabr.org.uk/renew-membership. If you are a member but do not have an email address you will receive a paper notification that your renewal is due.
On Saturday the 28th December, I once again attended the NLSME (North London Society of Model Engineers WUT, Woodside Union Terminal Christ- mas running session. A description of their extensive HO multi level layout can be found in the April 2018 edition
of Roundhouse on page 5. I estimated that about fifteen people visited during the afternoon with one person driving up from Cornwall. If you would like to visit their headquarters on a Wednes- day evening and possibly take part in a running session, the contact details are published in Roundhouse.Also, look at their website, www.nlsme.co.uk
I recently received an e-mail from Ireland Division Representative Des Browne that he has decided to resign from the role he has undertaken for many years. Des be- came an NMRA member around 1970, he attended the National Convention held
in London in 1971, and was awarded an
Achievement Certificate for Association Volunteer on the 28th October 2006.
Des has been a strong supporter of the hobby over the years through his business Belfast Caboose which he ran for many years and later in a private capacity with fellow members, including a number in the Republic of Ireland. He went on to say how much he has enjoyed and been inspired by people he has met through the hobby in general. Therefore, thank you for all you have done to promote the hobby and you will continue to do so and enjoy your interest in S gauge modelling.
Peter Lloyd-Jones has resigned with im- mediate effect from the elected position of Secretary. I would like to thank Peter for the professional way he undertook the duties of Secretary and the advice and suggestions he gave to the BoD. I know Peter will continue to enjoy the hobby and in particular the HO Freemo events he attends and that he will continue to be a strong supporter of the British Region.
There is now a call for nominations
for the position of Secretary. May I ask members to consider putting their names forward to fill this important position to enable the smooth running of the BoD and the Region to continue. If you would like to know more about the duties involved, please contact me and I will en- deavour to expand upon what is required in this elected position.
The British Region Convention is just sev- en months away and Steve Dennison says all the traders are booked, layouts are nearly all arranged and if you would like to give a clinic please contact, Steve Quick stephen.quick3@ntlworld.com
The convention centre hotel is filling up fast, there are only a few rooms left so get your registration forms in ASAP.
Charles Hendy
President NMRA British Region
president@nmrabr.org.uk
PRESIDENT’S CAR
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ROUNDHOUSE - March/April 2020