New Club Room - Update
As you all know this will be our last club meeting at the Scout Hall. Due to the efforts of a number of members three possible new sites have been identified and viewed. I prepared a full report on each venue which I sent to every current member either by email or by post asking for their views. Of the 9 letters sent only 2 replied and of the 23 emails sent 18 replied. With one or two exceptions all were in favour of Eaton Bray, with Wing as second choice; however since preparing the report we have heard that the Wing Village Hall would charge an additional £25 per month to store Ridgmont, which makes Eaton Bray a much better deal. We can sign-up for 12 months and the rental is fixed at rate quoted or we could sign-up for 24 months at the same rate. I am awaiting confirmation from the operators of the Hall which dates are available through to December; I also hope to arrange a visit to the Hall during our meeting for those members who would like to take a look.
Exhibitions 2009
Ridgmont will be attending the following shows, although I do have a list of volunteers for both the Large Scale Show and the G-Scale AGM I still need to sort out who will help with the loading and setting up and we could always use more Operators.
Large Scale Model Rail 18 & 19 April, we have been invited back for a second year. The plan so far is as follows:
Friday 17 April Loading Ridgmont at TBC and transport to Venue, set up and test. There will be space in the van for 3 people, myself plus two others, so please let me know if you can help.
Saturday 18 April Running Day
Sunday 19 April Running Day
Breakdown and load Ridgmont at close of show will need Operators to help with this.
Monday 20 April Unload at TBC.
G-Scale AGM on the 25 April 2009, our attendance has been confirmed for this show. The plan so far is as follows:
Friday 24 April Load Ridgmont at TBC and transport to Venue and set-up and test. There will be space in the van for 3 people, myself plus two others, so please let me know if you can help.
Saturday 25 April Operators for the days running, I do have some names but could do with more.
Breakdown and load Ridgmont at close of show will need Operators to help with this.
Sunday 26 April Unload at TBC.
We have also been invited to take Ridgmont to the Soar Valley Exhibition on the 26 and 27 September 2009. This is also a 2 day show so would follow a similar pattern to the LSS in April. It is still some 9 months away but it would be helpful if I could start collecting names so if you would like to help please let me know.
News Flash
We have also been approached by the Kew Steam Museum regarding taking Ridgmont to the Steam Show on the 14/15 November, to the best of my recollection it must be 15 years or more since Ridgmont was last seen at Kew. Anyway, I am awaiting confirmation that they can find room for us.
Wags Wharf
As reported last month Wags Wharf has found a permanent home at the Pitstone & Ivinghoe Museum. The work to refurbishing the Timber Barn is now well on its way. The open days scheduled for this year are as follows:
13 April - Easter Monday
4 & 25 May - May Day & Spring Bank Holiday
7 June - Sunday
12 July - Sunday
9 August - Sunday
31 August - Summer Bank Holiday
13 September - Sunday
I have a quantity of leaflets for the Museum’s 2009 season so please take one, apart from the obvious attraction of Wags Wharf the Museum has a lot to offer, well worth a visit in 2009. It’s worth noting that in the grounds of the Museum is a raised length of 3 & 5 inch Track plus a double loop of Gauge 1 (45mm) which may be of interest to some BAGs members.
Dates for your Diary
Venue and dates to be confirmed
Other notable dates:
4 April - 16mm AGM, St Genny’s attending