Sunday the 14 May and NG
enthusiasts descended on the village hall at Barton Le Clay from all points of
the compass for what has become THE annual late spring narrow gauge
model-fest, courtesy of the Beds & Bucks NG Modellers who had pulled out
all the stops to make this year's event run as seamlessly as possible following
the sudden and premature passing of the Group's founder and previous
organiser-in-chief, Mark Howe after a very short illness in January.
Once again it was an excellent day
with 14 layouts present, a variety of trade and society stands including of
course the 009 Society sales managing to fill a meeting room despite sales
stocks being much lower than usual for the time of year. And of course, the
renowned refreshments, with not only 5 star bacon rolls, but sausage baps as
well and the biggest triple deck victoria cream sponge I've ever seen
(naturally there is a photo included of this!).
Congratulations are in order to
Brian Key, who took up the mantle of exhibition manager at short notice and
indeed to the whole group who chipped in to ensure that not only did the event
go ahead, but also that it went ahead in a very well organised way indeed.
Thanks to you all. Numbers were slightly down on previous years, let’s hope
that next year and beyond they are back up to and even higher than the 200+
that previously attended, because this really is a high quality narrow gauge
modelling event held in a good location and in an ideally central part of the
country for travelling to from all parts of it.
Can I be cheeky and ask if you've stopped doing your photo reports? I really miss your updates, as it gives me the opportunity to visit shows I wouldn't normally get to in person. Or did the recent problem with photo hosting put you off?
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that life hasn't been too kind this year and there are a number of health issues in my family that have restricted my opportunities to get around the shows. There is one more still on the "to do" list to publish when I can get the available free time, but I am not presently able to attend events so regret that for the foreseeable future, I will continue to be severely restricted in my ability to post more reports after that one. Sorry - life can get in the way sometimes!
ReplyDeleteMick
I quite understand. I trust things will improve over time.
ReplyDeleteIan
Mick, sorry to hear of your troubles, like many others i like very much to see your photo reports and hope to see your little rail car doing the rail tour rounds again soon, chin up, best regards, Paul
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the kind comments Paul, very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMick
Happy New year Mick! Yes, your railcar must be one of the most seen 009-vehicles in our hobbies :-) I love your photo's and I sincerely hope the situation improves in 2018!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom and a Happy New Year to you as well! Your good wishes are very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMick
Hi Mick,
ReplyDeleteI am here on the west coast of Canada. I am a rank amateur at 009 railways and I think your roving reporter albums are a super source of inspiration. I have joined the 009 society too. I want to build some passenger coaches using Ratio sides. In the vast reaches of the web I found a mention of an article you did way back for the 009 magazine. Would it be possible you might have a copy of that article that you could Email to me? I would be very grateful.....
Yours,
Bob Walker, Victoria B.C., Canada
Thank you Bob. I'm sorry that I'm still way behind the curve with updates but there are 3 reports still "in the workshop" awaiting attention and by Saturday evening there will be 4 waiting for attention! Yes I did do a pair of articles back in around 2007 I think in 009 News on bashing coaches from the Ratiu sides, along with a couple on railcars and one on economical goods wagons. I will happily email you copies of all of these but I must first have your email address! If you are on the NGRM Online forum or the 009 Society members forum then you could send your address to me by PM on either of these, or if you are happy to, publish it here, I think it would be safe from the trolls to do so. Do you know or know of Mike Price from British Columbia who also models NG British style and occasionally posts on the NGRM Online forum.
DeleteI look forward to hearing from you and getting your email address and I can then send you the articles.
Mick