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!

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