Interlude! A visit to the 4th Wiltshire 009 Soc Group Skills Day, Pewsey, 10 August 2024

After 3 long distance drives to events in May and June, I had to force myself to stay at home and let both my car and wallet recover from those, what with petrol prices and the state of the roads etc, however as my diary was relatively clear during August, the lure of catching up with friends (and the siren call of the lardy cake…..) was a very “do-able” day trip “Across the Bridge” from home in the South Wales Valleys to rural Wiltshire, so off I went eastwards on a damp Saturday morning, full of the joys of the anticipated good day out.

Two distractions awaited – road closure on the normal route from the M4 between Marlborough and Pewsey with a diversion onto 2 unfamiliar (to me) roads, not a great problem, however on the 2^nd of these roads, I glanced at my satnav to get a fix on how far I still had to go and 10 seconds later I was flagged in by the police, as when I distracted myself I inadvertently missed entering a short 30mph area and the Wiltshire Constabulary were taking quick advantage of enhancing the Christmas Party fund or similar and I was their first catch on what was a super hunting day opportunity for them! Oh dear, curses, never mind, carry on!

So, no excuses to offer, guilty m’lud; my rights were read by WPC Officious and I was presented with a pretty pink slip in anticipation of what is to come compliments of the Royal Mail in due course. Then I bid the team well and very gently spent the next 10 minutes driving at about 25mph before arrival at the Bouverie Hall (via Marshall’s Bakery of course – see result of that in the photo album to follow!).

Was the “anticipated good day out” spoiled? Nah, ‘course not! Once I had licked wounds and dived into Marshall’s Bakery for cream cake solutions, all was (almost) wonderful again and I made my way into the hall to find some 60 or so visitors mingling with a good number of participants who had come along with a splendid variety of demonstrations and “works in progress”, just right for a super few hours of learning and friendly conversation with friends and colleagues in the hobby. Full appreciation to Andy Cundick and his Wiltshire Group colleagues for laying on a very well organised, interesting and enjoyable little informal event.

Only a very short photo report this time and I have concentrated mainly on the good people rather than close ups of soldering irons and fingers stuck to cutting mats via superglue leaks etc!

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report

Oxfordshire Narrow Gauge Railway Modellers Open Day, Steventon 22 June 2024

Following 2 long distance trips to Merseyside and Suffolk within the previous 4 weeks, I had to seriously consider both financially and physically if I was up to another long Saturday so soon, but as Steventon is “only” 120 miles each way from home and the layouts attending list looked to be very good, it didn’t take long to decide that this was one that I should not miss!

Was I right in my assessment? Of course I was! I think this was my 5^th visit to the Oxfordshire Group event in Steventon and every one including this one were very well worth making the effort to get up early and get there, never mind how much petrol costs nowadays! Huge appreciation once again to the host team for laying on a great show, 17 layouts and a really excellent venue which is easily accessible from all points of the compass, as illustrated by the number of regular attenders by friends and colleagues in the hobby who had come from all over the country to enjoy the day amongst friends both old and new.

I would also add my appreciation of the excellent show guide which is always an essential aid to identifying both layouts and owners on the day, but for “roving reporting” use a month later when putting things together and trying to dream up something to say in photo captions for the benefit of others that could not be present, absolutely invaluable. Other event managers who don’t seem to consider it necessary to even produce a single A4 sheet with basic details of layout name, scale, exhibitor’s name as a minimum. Please consider!

Moving on, I hope that you, having found my roving reporter site, will now enjoy this latest collection of photos, there’s 121 of them this time! 

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report

Norfolk & Suffolk NG Modellers Open Day, Beccles, 01 June 2024

Normally, I should not even consider driving across the 300+ mile width of the country from an hour to the west of the Severn Bridge all the way to Beccles in faraway Suffolk and back again in the same day, but I’m not “normal” (according to some, who know me better than I do) and, after finding it “do-able” to drive an over 400 miles return trip to Merseyside two weeks previously in a day, then “what would an extra 120 miles or so each way matter?”, particularly as I learned of several friends in the hobby who were also travelling long and long-ish distances to be there.

Was it worth it? Yes indeed it was, a great little show to visit and enjoy, excellent variety of top quality modelling, a friendly and informal atmosphere, renewing acquaintances with friends old and new, and a very well organised event indeed.

After getting home at the end of a 17½ hour day from departure at 3.30am to return at 9pm, and another 640 miles clocked up on the ailing car I have at least come to the stark reality conclusion that an overnight stay would have been a much better and safer option, but that’s a lesson learned (possibly!) and to answer the “Would I visit an N&SNGM Open Day again?” question, I certainly would like to, if I prepare a bit better than making the decision to “do it” the day before the event next time!

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for This Report

Merseyside & Southwest Lancs Narrow Gauge Group meeting, Rainford, 18 May 2024

In recent years, the Group has grown through Stan Williams’ regular routine Saturday afternoon meet ups and other special occasions, in the compact Corpus Christi church hall in Rainford, to regular attendances of over 60 and sometimes many more, who come along from, in some cases, long distances from all over the north, as well as occasional “guest” appearances from even further, at what has become popularly known as “Stan’s Tea Party” (the other colloquialism “NG Stan” is usually reserved for larger events!).

I was in the area last year and was able to make a visit (see my 2023 roving report). I was very impressed, so with the anniversary of that visit approaching I made the decision to abandon the budget or the mileage on the car, get up early and head into the motorway system towards the north west! Fortunately neither the M4, M5 or M6 were as bad as they were the previous year, and I made it with a car parking space still available and the kettle already boiling just after opening time at mid day!

 Another splendid afternoon amongst similarly afflicted narrow gauge modelling friends new and old and once again I very much enjoyed and valued the visit. The only downside of these sort of long distance expeditions is having to go all the way back home afterwards and try to account for the insane damage to personal stamina and the household finances for petrol – but well worth it. Thank you to Stan Williams for laying this regular little event on and to David Hennessey (and Alan Mountfield on this occasion) for keeping the kettle topped up throughout the afternoon. Must do it again sometime!

Click on the link below the following photo to access the album and then the first image which will then open up the “Roving Report” with all the captioned photos. 

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report

Narrow Gauge South, Barton Peverill College Eastleigh, 27 April 2024

Once again it is time for the biennial Narrow Gauge South, The Wessex Narrow Gauge Modeller’s biennial event which originated with a show in Southampton in 1976 and has been held regularly ever since. By 1982 it had evolved into the large event that it has become and is now one of just two of the surviving big specialist shows in the UK, along with Narrow Gauge North, in Leeds, that are held regularly, since the demise of Expo NG and NG Southwest. This year’s event is the third time that it has been held in Eastleigh, in Barton Peveril College and the 100 or so enthusiasts who participated as layout exhibitors, traders, society/association publicity stands or in the host “team”, were joined by over 400 visitors. 

To quote part of Exhibition Manager Tim Couling’s welcome in the very comprehensive illustrated 21 page complimentary show guide (other exhibition and open day managers please note!): 

“A warm “Welcome Back!” and thank you once again for joining Wessex Narrow Gauge Modellers at this year’s Narrow Gauge South model railway exhibition.”

“Narrow Gauge South is the largest and longest running specialist narrow gauge railway exhibition in the UK and we are pleased to offer this showcase of “all things Narrow Gauge”once again here at Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh.”

At the time of writing this introduction, mid June 2024, the superb show guide is still accessible as a PDF document and can be found in the Wessex NGM and NG South website by clicking  HERE

A number of viewers of my reports have commented that reading through the captions and seeing the photos are likened to having an online visit to what an event was like, so in this report I have tried to keep this in mind by taking at least one photo of every one of the 50 stands that were present, so that all trade and society publicity stands have been included as well as all the layouts. Additionally I have kept them into their stand number sequence, from stand 1 through to 50 for the benefit of anyone who would like to follow the report in harness with the show guide. 

I apologise in advance to the culinary enthusiasts and critics that I haven’t included any photos of the breakfast or lunch that were available from the College restaurant – check out my NG South report for 2022 for images of both of these. Nothing has changed except the price has gone up and the plastic knife and fork has changed to a wooden knife (good) and a compressed paper type of fork (very, very bad – try sticking that into a rasher of bacon!). 

So, that’s enough of all that I think, let’s get on with the show and I do hope that you enjoy the visit to Narrow Gauge South 2024!

PART 1 features stands 1 to 19, including the following layouts

Stand:

5          Lynton & Barnstaple Modules 016.5                        Paul Steedman

10        Bryn y Felin 009                                                       Matthew Kean

12        Andeer H0m                                                             Julia & Derek Boswell

13        Green End 009                                                         David Gander

14        Newton Heath Works 0/016.2                                  Mike Baker

16        Surrey & Sussex Black Sheep Modules 0n30         Simon Cox

17        Ryedown Lane 009                                                  Patrick Collins

19        Kaninchenbau  H0e                                                 Iain Morrison

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 1 of this Report

PART 2 features stands 20 to 30, including the following layouts:

Stand:

20        Little Himalayan Railwy 009                                       Giles Perkins

22        Kurseong  009                                                            John Crane

23        Tarrant Valley Railway 009                                         Stuart Webb

24        Wickhambreux Road 009                                           David Marshall

25        Portpyn  1:34                                                              Christopher Payne

27        Clearwater Harbor  0n30                                            Stephen Waterfield

28        Dinas Mawddwy  EM                                                  Andy Cundick

29        Tan y Llyn  009                                                           Steve Flay

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 2 of this Report

PART 3 features Stands 31 to 50, including the following layouts:

Stand:

31        Sandy Shores  009                                                    Jamie Warne

33        Isle of Morella - 5.5mm Modular Group                     Steve Jones

34        Bowcombe Bridge 009                                               Nic Arthur

35        Tansey Bank & Hobbs Row Halt                                Bob Vaughan

37        Crossways Wagon Works 0 & 09                               John Cavell

38        Hawkridge 009                                                            Chris Mould

40        Castle Careinion 009                                                   Martyn Harrison

43        Gweithdy Dyffryn  014                                                 Derek Harris

45        East Quay  009                                                            John Niblett

46        Fintonagh  0n3 (21mm gauge)                                    David Holman

48        Cezanne  HOm                                                            Ian Pollock

49        Gemtø:  Ikkehavn  H0e                                               Richard Williams

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 3 of this Report

That's it for this report - 200 photos this time, I hope you have enjoyed the visit to Narrow Gauge South, lots more reports to hopefully come before the next NGS in 2026!

Howard’s Farewell, Compton Dundon, Somerset, 24 February 2024

Shortly after the death of Howard Martin, on 24 March last year, following a long period of illness, his good friend Barrie Baker and members of the Small & Delightful Group, stated their intention to run a memorial day in his memory in early 2024. Barrie requested friends who knew Howard and had small layouts or displays, to come along to celebrate his life. Glastonbury & Street Lions, assisted with running this special day and 20 owners brought their layouts along with a further 4 displays and dioramas.

Howard was an Honorary Life Member of both the 009 Society and 7mm NGA, a dedicated member of the Lions Foundation and exhibition manager of the legendary and much missed Shepton Mallet Narrow Gauge South West for its 25 annual shows held between 1992 and 2017. Howard was also instrumental in the organisation of a number of model railway exhibitions, including the charitable Glastonbury & Street Lions Club show and Small & Delightful Group biennial open days at Compton Dundon, He was also the proprietor of Avalon Models and a prolific narrow gauge modeler himself.

It was a truly memorable day which was enjoyed by over 250 people, including those who were participating in one way or another, many of whom had travelled long distances to be there, which held all of the “traditions” fondly remembered of NG Southwest: fierce sunlight streaming through the big windows, making all photography difficult (!); a slightly chaotic but very friendly and informal atmosphere; write your own show guide (NG Southwest did have a programme, but it was always full of errors and amendments!); splendid catering from the Glastonbury & Street Lions Ladies and of course some superb examples of narrow gauge modeling in a variety of scales.

My photo album that follows is, hopefully, a snapshot of the whole event, for both those that were there and for those who were unable to be there as a reminder of a very special day.

Well done indeed, Barrie and Friends. Can you do it again next year please?

I have to admit that I had something of a disaster with some of my photos due to very fierce flare coming from strong sunlight streaming through the large windows and my inability for me and my camera to cope with this. I apologise for some photos that did “make the cut” that are less than my desired quality. However I am very grateful to Paul Steedman and Simon Andrews, who both generously gave me permission to use some of their own photos to fill some gaps that my inability to produce acceptable images produced! Thanks very much gents!

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report

SWOONS 17th Members Open Day, Ilton, 13 January 2024

 As South West 009 Society Group Chairman Geoff Bowyer stated in the programme: "What better way to start the New Year as our Society enters its 51st year". He added: "Hopefully there will be enough room to fit everyone in...." Well it was a squash late morning with over 150 visitors not including children as well as all the participants making nearly 200 happy souls shoe-horned into the small village hall amongst the 8 layouts, 3 excellent trade stands, full Society sales table plus Matt & Maria Gicquel's mini-cafe (with table service from Continental Modeller Editor Andrew Burnham acting as waiter and chief washer-upper!). A good number of regular long distance travellers from up to 200 miles away spotted amongst the throng as well. Well organised but still informal and friendly. Group events like this are what it's all about!

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report