Chairmans Chatter  

April 2023

Another successful dinner was held in February and congratulations to all the trophy winners. I think it is good to reward anyone who has led the way with a model, a technique or a special task for the club that has improved our conditions.

The search for a suitable new clubroom continues. Keep asking your friends and family please, you never know, someone may know of a possible empty building, BUT always advise Nick before approaching to check if we have not already approached, and always advise him of your findings, good or bad.  We have only NINE months remaining at Manor Farm.

00 Gauge Matters

Redbridge has seen a relatively quiet few months, with some titivating of scenery and signalling being carried out. In February we ran Redbridge in the 1990s/2000s exhibition mode for a filming session for the Twitter Model Train Show, which was well received online.

Focus will now turn to the completion of many of the small jobs we have outstanding, and to some running sessions, so we are ready for our next show at New Milton in July.

EM Gauge Matters

No formal report received in time for this publication.

0 Gauge Matters

The re-wiring continues and will now proceed with pace as we are over halfway. Thanks to Geoff who has helped me and means we can proceed more quickly. The layout will be put back for a testing session on 5th April and if all is well, a decision made on when to do the remaining boards 1, 2 & 3 plus the main lever frame.

I have not included running sessions in the program, for a couple of months but the Itchen Bottom layout is available for those who need to test stock etc.

My personal plan is to list all my stock and start to pack away in anticipation of clearing the layout completely before the end of the year.

Other Business

The new Club  Constitution has been agreed and signed.. We need this document to allow a committee member to sign a new lease on behalf of the club when we find a new clubroom. The remainder of the items is just making a more formal statement about the existing rules that apply with common sense in most cases. At the time we sign a lease, a solicitor will be engaged, and they will advise on the constitution as well should a word need changing. The version that was agreed upon and signed is included as a separate document.

You will see from the diary that we are introducing more club clear-up sessions. Please attend if you can. We normally meet for a couple of hours in the morning from about 10.00 to 10.30 and adjourn for a pub lunch afterwards if you wish.

Note also the “Hornby Photo Shoot” is now arranged for the Monday following the Tolworth Show

 Other Future Events:

• Shawton at GW Study Group AGM Didcot.  - Saturday 15^th July
• Redbridge Wharf at New Milton  - Saturday and Sunday 29^th and 30^th July.
• Winchester Gauge 0 Guild Open Day  Otterbourne Village hall.  Sunday 6^th August. 
• Geoff’s layout “Oakton” is being shown.