2008
Eat-in take-away
Thursday 18 December 2008
A new experience for SMRS, an Indian take-away taken in to the clubrooms for consumption by selected members.
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Last and final call
Friday 17 October 2008
No more on the exhibition, promise. Except to briefly record the debrief, which occupied two intensive hours of discussion this evening, with only a brief pause for tea and shortbread at half-time. Even Pebble contributed, by ensuring that any tea left to go cold in members’ cups during the heat of the debate, did not go to waste.
The short list of topics for discussion was uncomfortably long, almost three dozen, so a strict discipline of no more than two members talking at any one time was applied. The overall impression was of a resounding success, with the gamble of moving to new premises having paid off handsomely. A few learning points, but nothing too drastic, and we are in good shape for the coming year. And if that doesn’t tempt fate, nothing will.
The short list of topics for discussion was uncomfortably long, almost three dozen, so a strict discipline of no more than two members talking at any one time was applied. The overall impression was of a resounding success, with the gamble of moving to new premises having paid off handsomely. A few learning points, but nothing too drastic, and we are in good shape for the coming year. And if that doesn’t tempt fate, nothing will.
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The Bolton Wanderers
Friday 03 October 2008
Tidying up after an exhibition can be a bit of a chore, with the adrenalin all gone and a whole year yawning ahead in which to finish the model promised for the next one. However three days ago we combined business with pleasure, to return the barriers to our friends at Bolton MRC. Their clubrooms are in Gilnow Mill, an impressive renovated cotton mill in Halliwell. Also impressive was its security system, which was clearly designed to deter potential thieves, vandals and Southern Railway enthusiasts alike. And when I agreed to help unload, no-one told me there would be steps... Fortunately not only additional manpower appeared to lend assistance, but manual handling equipment, in the form of supersized DIY-store trolleys, materialised to help negotiate the barrier sections through a long corridor stretching back into the bowels of the building.
The barriers were soon skilfully stacked in a complex and no-doubt secret pattern, with only a muffled complaint that perhaps they had bred additional of their number whilst enjoying their brief seaside holiday. Tea and biscuits were produced and a guided tour of the premises and their layouts provided, showing evidence of both industry and innovation. SMRS usually only manages either one or the other. The beginnings of a deal to enhance next year’s Southport exhibition with at least one more layout started to coalesce. Mindful of our exhibition manager’s ability to continue such discussions more-or-less indefinitely, I made our excuses and we departed, grateful both for Bolton’s contribution to our cause and for at least a temporary respite in the autumnal rains while we drove back. Next month several of our number will return the compliment by pretending to be stewards at Bolton’s exhibition. And so the wheels go round...
The barriers were soon skilfully stacked in a complex and no-doubt secret pattern, with only a muffled complaint that perhaps they had bred additional of their number whilst enjoying their brief seaside holiday. Tea and biscuits were produced and a guided tour of the premises and their layouts provided, showing evidence of both industry and innovation. SMRS usually only manages either one or the other. The beginnings of a deal to enhance next year’s Southport exhibition with at least one more layout started to coalesce. Mindful of our exhibition manager’s ability to continue such discussions more-or-less indefinitely, I made our excuses and we departed, grateful both for Bolton’s contribution to our cause and for at least a temporary respite in the autumnal rains while we drove back. Next month several of our number will return the compliment by pretending to be stewards at Bolton’s exhibition. And so the wheels go round...
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Re-entry & splashdown
Monday 29 September 2008
‘All mission objectives accomplished at this time, Captain’. So might our exhibition manager have reported to the Chairman, if both weren’t so knackered after a hard weekend’s exhibitioning. Final figures are still being massaged by our treasurer, but we are well in the black, with credit lines which are neither toxic nor sub-prime. A full de-brief will wait awhile, as more urgent tasks are to hand, such as getting the borrowed barriers back to Bolton, and the hire van back to Ryder’s. Feedback is generally very positive on the venue and on the exhibition itself, whilst still leaving room for the continuous improvement which is characteristic of all progressive institutions nowadays. Banks definitely excepted. Amazing how quickly it all melts away at closing time, with exhibits and trading stands rapidly broken down and shipped out ready for the drive home and the challenge of a new Monday. A couple of hours and it’s all a memory. Will stop now before sentiment gets the upper hand.
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Half-time, and just ahead on points
Saturday 27 September 2008
End of day one finds us well established at cruising altitude. The sun continues to shine, the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton have honoured us with their presence, and first indications of the level of public support look hopeful. Official figures are not yet available, and in a new venue it is difficult to judge what is a good-sized crowd, but it looked fairly busy.
A few minor problems, like well-hidden toilets and cafe queues lengthened by the abolition of self-service refreshments for traders and exhibitors. Nothing a well-honed exhibition team couldn’t handle. One unexpected plea for help came via phone from a group of exhibitors whose hire car had had its radiator modified by a van reversing across a canal bridge at Halsall. A rescue car was despatched to recover one of their number to run their layout, whilst the others remained at the scene to negotiate a replacement vehicle, fill in a lot of forms and no doubt examine the small print of their insurance with more than usual interest.
The Saturday evening party at Jim & Fiona’s also went to form, with live steam in the garden preceding curry and cake, washed down with beverages served from a subterranean drinking den with a maritime motif. Guides were available to lead guests further into the extensive cellars, to discover not one but two Italian layouts. Also one which looked suspiciously Southern, located at the very end of the ball of string leading back to the safety of the beer cooler. Interesting to note that, in the interests of the environment, a beer-can crusher has been installed immediately above the green recycling bin. Apparently as the evening wears on the attempts to use it become increasingly inept.
A few minor problems, like well-hidden toilets and cafe queues lengthened by the abolition of self-service refreshments for traders and exhibitors. Nothing a well-honed exhibition team couldn’t handle. One unexpected plea for help came via phone from a group of exhibitors whose hire car had had its radiator modified by a van reversing across a canal bridge at Halsall. A rescue car was despatched to recover one of their number to run their layout, whilst the others remained at the scene to negotiate a replacement vehicle, fill in a lot of forms and no doubt examine the small print of their insurance with more than usual interest.
The Saturday evening party at Jim & Fiona’s also went to form, with live steam in the garden preceding curry and cake, washed down with beverages served from a subterranean drinking den with a maritime motif. Guides were available to lead guests further into the extensive cellars, to discover not one but two Italian layouts. Also one which looked suspiciously Southern, located at the very end of the ball of string leading back to the safety of the beer cooler. Interesting to note that, in the interests of the environment, a beer-can crusher has been installed immediately above the green recycling bin. Apparently as the evening wears on the attempts to use it become increasingly inept.
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So far, so pretty good
Friday 26 September 2008
If not lift-off quite yet, we have main engine ignition and thrust is building, at this time. It’s gone remarkably smoothly so far, with no major problems, and the late September sunshine this afternoon was a welcome bonus. The feeling of spaciousness is quite noticeable, both inside and outside, giving us flexibility as well as more room for displays. All of the exhibitors and traders seemed to have found the new venue; let’s hope the public do likewise tomorrow.
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We are go for launch
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Four days to go, and counting. Our new, bigger and (almost certainly) better exhibition is about to be unleashed on an unsuspecting and probably undeserving public. New road signs have been made, a bigger and better van has been hired, extension leads counted and measured, and posters posted in all Arriva’s buses. And the website’s hits have reached the dizzy heights of fifty a day. Visitors from London are the most frequent, for reasons not immediately apparent.
A deal has been done with Bolton MRC to borrow their barriers, as ours were not suitable for the new venue and have been quietly disposed of to a recyclist of impeccable, if not particularly well-publicised, credentials. All-in-all a bit of a gamble, with extra expense needing to be recouped by a good flow of visitors, hopefully turning up at the new school rather than the old one. But we are quietly confident.
The exhibition manager is coping remarkably well with the extra stress of the new venue, due in no small measure to the careful ministrations of Pebble, his highly-trained and long-suffering therapy dog. One who is struggling to cope at the moment is our fellow-member Bill, in hospital after a stroke last week and rather poorly. We trust news of a triumphant and profitable exhibition will be just the thing to speed his recovery. And of course the odd miniature of quality malt smuggled in amongst the chocs and flowers.
A deal has been done with Bolton MRC to borrow their barriers, as ours were not suitable for the new venue and have been quietly disposed of to a recyclist of impeccable, if not particularly well-publicised, credentials. All-in-all a bit of a gamble, with extra expense needing to be recouped by a good flow of visitors, hopefully turning up at the new school rather than the old one. But we are quietly confident.
The exhibition manager is coping remarkably well with the extra stress of the new venue, due in no small measure to the careful ministrations of Pebble, his highly-trained and long-suffering therapy dog. One who is struggling to cope at the moment is our fellow-member Bill, in hospital after a stroke last week and rather poorly. We trust news of a triumphant and profitable exhibition will be just the thing to speed his recovery. And of course the odd miniature of quality malt smuggled in amongst the chocs and flowers.
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Another old steamer
Saturday 16 August 2008
A touching ceremony at the clubhouse yesterday, as another member was inducted into the Sixties Hall of Fame, reserved for those who have completed six decades of life and are confidently looking forward to at least several more. The event was marked with a presentation, of sorts, of a few small souvenirs of his recent gala event at Hesketh Bank.
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Rallying round at Woodvale
Monday 04 August 2008
Out of a sense of duty to the plane-loving public, and a driving need to publicise the exhibition by any possible means, we attend the Woodvale Rally each year. The railway tent is a mixed bag of models of all sorts and sizes, not necessarily a place to show off your best modelling efforts, particularly if it’s typical August weekend weather. This year it was reasonably sunny but also reasonably windy, and one thing an airfield doesn’t have is much in the way of windbreaks. However we braved not only the elements but also the beer tent, and a moderately good time was had by all. A rota system was enforced so that no-one had the privilege of attending both days, not without paying at least once, anyway.
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A detached des.res.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Interesting little episode at the clubrooms tonight. Apparently a lady phoned the deputy chairman recently to say she occupied an identical house to ours in Duke St., the next road along the tracks towards Birkdale. A little further back from the permanent way (enough room even for a trampoline in the garden) but the same basic design. Perhaps a few years later in build. Tonight her daughter arrived to take some photos and be shown round the premises, which the d.c. did with his well-honed diplomacy skills turned up full. Best experienced from a distance.
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Peace, harmony & Hesketh Bank
Saturday 19 July 2008
Just once in a while, it’s good to get away from all the frantic modelling and hectic exhibitioning, and just play trains. And so a select group of six members booked themselves in to the West Lancashire Light Railway, to pamper themselves with the railway equivalent of a health spa. I say six, but the chairman, showing a woeful lack of leadership now that the committee elections are safely out of the way, backed out before even any steam was raised. Apparently an allegedly better offer had been received regarding corporate hospitality at the Open Golf, taking place barely a twelve-iron from the clubrooms. The fact that it was his spouse making the offer apparently made it non-refusable. All the more trains for us to play with, and he did pay the appropriate cancellation fee, restocking expenses and refreshment charge. Not to mention loss of deposit, and VAT.
The concept was delightfully simple, West Lancs provided the train complete with driver, fireman and guard. We watched and learned whilst steam was raised, and then pootled up and down their short length of track until our cup of pleasure overflowed. And there was no nonsense about healthy diets either; lunch was hotpot and apple pie, served with the unexpected luxury of separate plates.
Although the railway was closed to the public, to allow members to soak up the relaxing ambience without interruption from the busy world outside, inevitably one or two rolled in to the car park to see what we were up to. One such turned out to be an ex-member of the Society, in a time-span well before even our longest-serving members. He was promptly awarded day membership and permitted to join us for a ride.
By late afternoon we could take no more and reluctantly took our leave, grateful for a revitalising experience and for the fact that it wouldn’t be us who had to grovel under the loco to empty the ash-pan, or reach into a hot, dirty smokebox to clean out the tubes. Good company, too.
The concept was delightfully simple, West Lancs provided the train complete with driver, fireman and guard. We watched and learned whilst steam was raised, and then pootled up and down their short length of track until our cup of pleasure overflowed. And there was no nonsense about healthy diets either; lunch was hotpot and apple pie, served with the unexpected luxury of separate plates.
Although the railway was closed to the public, to allow members to soak up the relaxing ambience without interruption from the busy world outside, inevitably one or two rolled in to the car park to see what we were up to. One such turned out to be an ex-member of the Society, in a time-span well before even our longest-serving members. He was promptly awarded day membership and permitted to join us for a ride.
By late afternoon we could take no more and reluctantly took our leave, grateful for a revitalising experience and for the fact that it wouldn’t be us who had to grovel under the loco to empty the ash-pan, or reach into a hot, dirty smokebox to clean out the tubes. Good company, too.
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Care in the community
Monday 07 July 2008
Just occasionally, the grown-up railways in this part of the world risk a glance sideways and realise that there is other railway life around them, and they wouldn’t catch anything too nasty if they outstretched a hand in its direction. And so it came to pass that we were invited by Merseyrail to participate in a community railway weekend. This involved marking the (near) completion of improvement works at Southport station, and the first-time-for-ages running of Preston to Ormskirk trains on a Sunday, courtesy of Northern Rail.
Binns was used in its established role of nostalgia-provoker and crowd-puller, at Southport station on the Saturday and at Ormskirk on the Sunday. Alongside it was our new set of display boards, advertising the club’s various doings. We also opened the clubhouse to visitors on the Saturday, as a reminder that Chapel St. was not the first station building to serve Southport, fancy new roof notwithstanding. One of our members also ‘did something’ at Meols Cop station, but to date has not reported exactly what. Use of a bulldozer to facilitate starting again would be my option.
And... we won a trophy! Best display out of all those at the various stations betwixt Southport and Wigan. Would have preferred ready cash, but never mind.
Binns was used in its established role of nostalgia-provoker and crowd-puller, at Southport station on the Saturday and at Ormskirk on the Sunday. Alongside it was our new set of display boards, advertising the club’s various doings. We also opened the clubhouse to visitors on the Saturday, as a reminder that Chapel St. was not the first station building to serve Southport, fancy new roof notwithstanding. One of our members also ‘did something’ at Meols Cop station, but to date has not reported exactly what. Use of a bulldozer to facilitate starting again would be my option.
And... we won a trophy! Best display out of all those at the various stations betwixt Southport and Wigan. Would have preferred ready cash, but never mind.
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The AGM - in the open at last
Saturday 31 May 2008
At last the day of reckoning arrives, as we all knew it would. The committee throw one last, desperate strategem by holding the meeting in the garden, hoping that the combination of noise from the adjacent Merseyrail operation and the evening chill would curtail the free and frank discussion that everyone was ready for. However democracy was not to be outdone, and the meeting was one of the longer AGMs in recent years.
And the content? The committee were voted in unopposed, everyone congratulated everyone else on a successful year and we got stuck in to the beer and sausage rolls, before repairing to the lounge for a showing of a video on the Darjeeling railway. Bit disappointing, really.
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Teddy Bears R Us
Sunday 11 May 2008
Just once in a while, an event occurs which chimes with the inner soul of SMRS members - a reason for doing all that we do in the model railway field. The West Lancashire Light Railway Annual Teddy Bears Day is just that event. No less than ten members, at least three wives and a dog all attended in various capacities. Six layouts were exhibited and assorted books and soft toys sold for good causes, not all of them our own. The weather was initially hot enough for us to feel a little smug at being in the cool of the workshop, and latterly wet enough for us to feel a little smug at being in the dry of the workshop.
The audience at this type of event is a fairly uncritical one, the average age being well down in single figures. At long as it looks like a train and moves, it passes the test. Exhibitors can therefore show off their newest and most incomplete layouts knowing their reputation will only be enhanced by doing so. The only thing which didn't show us to advantage were the display boards, which are beginning to show their age, in both style and content. A little word in the hon. treasurer's ear perhaps, once the takings from the next exhibition are safely gathered in, and budgets are being prepared for next year. Investing for the future, as the chancellor might well describe it.
The audience at this type of event is a fairly uncritical one, the average age being well down in single figures. At long as it looks like a train and moves, it passes the test. Exhibitors can therefore show off their newest and most incomplete layouts knowing their reputation will only be enhanced by doing so. The only thing which didn't show us to advantage were the display boards, which are beginning to show their age, in both style and content. A little word in the hon. treasurer's ear perhaps, once the takings from the next exhibition are safely gathered in, and budgets are being prepared for next year. Investing for the future, as the chancellor might well describe it.
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Binning it at Liverpool show
Saturday 03 May 2008
Just returned from a day assisting with the deployment of Eastbank MRC's Binns at the Liverpool MRS exhibition. And yes the toothache has abated a little, thank you for asking.
Binns has a somewhat colourful history, having been built in the early 60's as a shop demonstrator for Gamages of Leeds, and ending up (via a short stay in an industrial skip) in the tender care of the Eastbank club. After restoration it has made an exhibit of itself at the Southport show and at the Frank Hornby Experience at Maghull parish hall and again at Liverpool cathedral (only the best venues for Binns).
And what has this to do with Southport MRS I hear you ask? Only that our member Alan is the driving force behind the Binns rescue, that's all.
Binns has a somewhat colourful history, having been built in the early 60's as a shop demonstrator for Gamages of Leeds, and ending up (via a short stay in an industrial skip) in the tender care of the Eastbank club. After restoration it has made an exhibit of itself at the Southport show and at the Frank Hornby Experience at Maghull parish hall and again at Liverpool cathedral (only the best venues for Binns).
And what has this to do with Southport MRS I hear you ask? Only that our member Alan is the driving force behind the Binns rescue, that's all.
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Working days are here again
Sunday 27 April 2008
One of the harbingers of spring is Our Chairman exhorting his followers to Get Stuck In to some much-needed clubhouse maintenance. Last Saturday was the first of what are threatened to be many this year, weeding the garden, refitting the doors, adding new lights, etc., etc. One more unusual job was the renovation of an old brick outhouse, probably a coal store in past lives, hoarding fuel perhaps ill-gotten from the supply intended for the motive power of the time. Over the years it has acquired a false floor two or three feet deep, composed of assorted rubbish and vegetation in various states of decay. Much of this was energetically consigned to the spare land over the back fence, for the better growth of the weeds that annually try to swamp us from the rear.
The resultant clearance revealed a cosy nook that any self-respecting monk would seize on as a perfect hermit habitation. The enthusiastic way the Chairman handled spade and fork to gain access suggested he had other ideas; a punishment cell perhaps, for the better correction of members guilty of insubordination or otherwise speaking out of turn.
The resultant clearance revealed a cosy nook that any self-respecting monk would seize on as a perfect hermit habitation. The enthusiastic way the Chairman handled spade and fork to gain access suggested he had other ideas; a punishment cell perhaps, for the better correction of members guilty of insubordination or otherwise speaking out of turn.
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Not the Annual General Meeting
Friday 25 April 2008
Shock, scandal and horror - the AGM, that eagerly-awaited opportunity to tell t'committee exactly what we think of them, before voting them all back in again, has been postponed. With only days to go, with all bribes, backhanders and favours collected and counted, the chairman and his deputy call it off. Some unconvincing pretext is offered about urgent unforeseen appointments elsewhere, but the membership is not fooled. Running scared they are, of a crushing defeat by the electorate, and desperately in need of more time to rig the results back in their favour.
Whether this unimaginative ploy will succeed only time will tell. In the meantime, an emergency chairman has been appointed to carry the club through the precarious interregnum before the AGM Mark II is held at the end of May. The choice of Pebble (the deputy chairman's dog) was both unanimous and popular, on the basis that being non-human he is not only incorruptible but also impartial - he is prepared to love anyone who will feed and/or stroke him.
Whether this unimaginative ploy will succeed only time will tell. In the meantime, an emergency chairman has been appointed to carry the club through the precarious interregnum before the AGM Mark II is held at the end of May. The choice of Pebble (the deputy chairman's dog) was both unanimous and popular, on the basis that being non-human he is not only incorruptible but also impartial - he is prepared to love anyone who will feed and/or stroke him.
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New, improved website
Thursday 17 April 2008
Well different, anyway. The idea for a spring makeover was precipitated by the webmaster acquiring, at modest expense, the rights to use Rapidweaver web software on his whizzy, supercool Mac. Playing around with the templates was a temptation not to be resisted, and SMRS had just the website to try them out on. Much to his surprise it works, more or less. The manual is still being studied, so expect even more whizziness in the future.
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All change for the exhibition
Friday 21 March 2008
To start off, a shock to match the best that Eastenders can manage. Well perhaps not quite, as we've not had a murder on our patch lately. A summons from Our Leader to an Extraordinary General Meeting, at a mere ten minutes notice. No time for speculation, perhaps deliberately so, although the facilities manager did manage to launch a rumour that the deputy chairman was about to announce his departure to the Congo, to fight for the rebels. Against whom, and in support of what, was not revealed.
The truth was almost as surprising. After more than twenty years of patronage, our use of Meols Cop school as our exhibition venue has come to an end. The departure was by mutual agreement, as all the best football clubs say nowadays. We had outgrown the facilities, and like a hermit crab with a cramped shell, we needed something bigger.
In conditions of great secrecy, our committee had scouted round for alternatives, inspecting other schools that claimed to satisfy our stringent specification. Headmasters in plain clothes were interviewed at anonymous locations. Sports halls were measured with an industrial-strength tape measure. Catering facilities were examined with a long-handled spoon. Tender documents were scrutinised in triplicate. Finally a winner was announced, Birkdale Secondary, in the rather oddly-named Windy Harbour Road. Its main advantage was space, for more exhibits, more traders and more parking.
My immediate concern was - would our exhibition match up to the new upmarket location? Birkdale is allegedly the domicile of several Liverpool footballers - would we live in fear of rogue Everton supporters hurling abuse at our modest efforts? Time will tell, but for now we need to be bold, follow the brave advance of Our Leader and Embrace Change Enthusiastically.
The truth was almost as surprising. After more than twenty years of patronage, our use of Meols Cop school as our exhibition venue has come to an end. The departure was by mutual agreement, as all the best football clubs say nowadays. We had outgrown the facilities, and like a hermit crab with a cramped shell, we needed something bigger.
In conditions of great secrecy, our committee had scouted round for alternatives, inspecting other schools that claimed to satisfy our stringent specification. Headmasters in plain clothes were interviewed at anonymous locations. Sports halls were measured with an industrial-strength tape measure. Catering facilities were examined with a long-handled spoon. Tender documents were scrutinised in triplicate. Finally a winner was announced, Birkdale Secondary, in the rather oddly-named Windy Harbour Road. Its main advantage was space, for more exhibits, more traders and more parking.
My immediate concern was - would our exhibition match up to the new upmarket location? Birkdale is allegedly the domicile of several Liverpool footballers - would we live in fear of rogue Everton supporters hurling abuse at our modest efforts? Time will tell, but for now we need to be bold, follow the brave advance of Our Leader and Embrace Change Enthusiastically.
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SMRS blogs, you see if it doesn't
Monday 17 March 2008
Why create five blogs when you can create one? Such was the logic of starting this one, an everyday story of modelling folk, perhaps. The rest of the website describes the activities of the SMRS, wisely not going into much detail. This is the unwise bit.
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