SUE’S SPOT Hi to one and all, and the picture here of my Daddy and me is now especially poignant as he died in September. It will forever be one of my favourite photographs. Awful Autumn We also lost three other gents who were part of the Society in September/October, so it hasn’t been a very good time of the year. I think it’s fairly obvious why there wasn’t a newsletter as there sometimes is around then, but also at that time I only had one article. I’m pleased to say that after a bit of cajoling and my terse notice on the Club’s Board (No Articles, No Newsletter!) we have, and I hope you will agree, a really super edition this time, packed full of goodies to read. Even a non-member has felt sorry for me and provided something! However, the Editor (me) is still a bit of a lame brain, so I will apologise now for any errors I’ve missed. Sometimes I do pick them up, but not until I’ve printed a hundred of something and then have to throw the lot away and start again (oh jolly bother, I say). Now Christmas approaches, speeding up on us all as usual, weather cold enough to freeze off your injectors. Another year has steamed past at amazing speed, so time for my usual look back/look now/look forward/look Father Christmas! Slot. Australia Award Winner Yes, Bernard White won this in September 2003, with his 3½” gauge Britannia. So it wasn’t all bad news in autumn. A few of us made the trip up to Saffron Walden for the rally, and during the Saturday evening enjoyed a special night ride on the Audley End Railway, with Lord Braybrooke kindly driving us (what a teddy bears picnic in those woods!). Many congratulations to Bernie. Last Maidstone winner was Dearly Beloved (Martin Parham) with his 5” gauge Duchess of Hamilton in 1993. Who, from the Club, will win in 2013?! Round The Bend The beginning of the year saw us replacing all the beams and track around the bottom bend. No mean feat, and proudly accomplished well in time for the first public run of the year, plus remedial work as and where necessary on other beams. The track was beautiful, until the extreme summer heat saw the odd kink materialise. Fortunately, it was not bad enough to stop us running, but certainly enough to slow us down at the odd hot spot. We know we weren’t the only club to be afflicted, and now of course in the current climate it’s not a worry! We have however, paid attention to the track for future. Charity Begins At Home (or Mote Park) I’m proud to say that our charity runs this year raised £430 in May for Maidstone & Medway Breast Cancer Care and £300 in August for Macmillan Nurses (cancer care). Also we did a special midweek summer run giving rides to the children from MENCAP, and very humbling it is to see them coping with their disabilities, and we marvel how well their young helpers cope with looking after them Heywood Society Visit We had approximately sixty members from this historical society come and see us for the first time. Fortunately the weather was good, we had a good selection of locomotives running, my Juliet amongst them showing what a little ’un could do, amongst all the bigger engines. Graham had his lorry, so there was a super selection of steam on show for them. I think everyone enjoyed themselves, I know I did. They kindly presented us with a plaque to commemorate their visit. Winter Works Due to much hard work by a few of our members, the new trolley store will be completed before very long now. The Wednesday Gang proves to be invaluable, and on Sundays lunch can be had in the Clubhouse for just £1 a person while work continues. In the New Year, the traverser improvements and the siding will be commenced. General maintenance around the track and our Club site continues through the next few months (well, it’s always ongoing, really). The Club steam loco, the Enterprise also needs an overhaul before the next season. Safety Issues The track MUST be inspected and this documented before anybody runs. Don’t forget your spark arresters for all steam vehicles. Remember safety at all times for yourself and others, and always, always be vigilant and alert (as the joke goes, we need more lerts). Sadly, despite my pleas for volunteers, preferably in advance, the manning of the station was a struggle at times and again it was thanks to the faithful few that we were able to run at all. What do we have to do for more volunteers? Is it too much to ask? England expects every man to do his duty – at least once a year – and I certainly do (I’m talking about manning the station here before anyone gets the wrong idea). Or just be a trolley dolly (guard) and enjoy the rides. Next run – Boxing Day. Anniversary Lunch Sunday January 4th at Grangemoor Hotel Maidstone Just TWO spaces left now so please telephone me immediately if you’d like to come – it will be a super get together, shame to miss it! For the princely sum of just £12-25 for a sumptuous three-course meal – don’t miss it! Club Nights January is looking back over the year 2003– if you’ve been about, you should be in it somewhere! Copies will be available, see Martin if you would like one. The February Quiz Night this year, for the first time since we started quiz evenings five years ago, will NOT be won by Paul Clark – as he’s running it! So your team stands a chance – just turn up and have fun. March is our Annual General Meeting – did we get it to within half an hour last year – be prompt or you may miss it! It’s always good to continue the evening chatting to old (and new) friends. As for the Guest Speaker in April, I’m open to suggestions and volunteers – never fear, someone good will be scheduled. In May, we’ll be able to see what you’ve all achieved in the workshop over the winter months, bring what you’ve done for us all to admire. Summer then approaches, and the evening runs. Maybe for one of these we’ll run clockwise as well – first on the track decides! Southern Federation Rally Autumn 2004 Yes, the secret is out, it’s to be held HERE and so please ensure you keep the weekend of September 18th and 19th free. Cancel holidays, weddings, birthday parties, visits anywhere – this is not to be missed! It’s the Club’s 75th year, something to be proud about, so stand ready – more details will be available shortly. Next Newsletter - 2004 Let me see now, if it’s still me after the AGM being Press Officer & Newsletter Mug, I mean Editor, (now I haven’t seen a pig flying past lately, but you never know, someone out there in the Society might want to have a bash) then I would like all articles (that means more than one from the entire membership please) by Easter so I can put out a Mayday edition. In fact, I’ll take in anything from now. In person, by post, by disk or disc, by e-mail to [email protected] In the meantime, a monster THANK YOU to all the contributors this time. Have a very Happy Christmas and 2004. Sincerely + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + OBITUARIES We have sadly lost the following members/past members this autumn: Dick Hodges, who hadn’t been a member for a few years, but was instrumental in building much of the original track. Dilwyn Herbert, who more recently had almost single-handed painted the guard rail a couple of years ago, and will always be remembered, when he regularly loaded passengers, for handing out sweets to the children in the queue, and telling them stories as they waited for a ride. Sam Ludford, who had been a committee member in the past, and whose attention to detail and preciseness with the models he constructed was amazing. We send sincere condolences to their families and friends. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SALE STATION Club Badges: £1-50 each Club Car Stickers: £1-50 each Shirt embroidery with Club Logo: £5 each, please provide shirt, see Marie Hawkins or Ann Playfoot. (Editor: I might provide trousers, for a tender behind…!) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ “OLD” Old is when… Your sweetie says, “Let’s go upstairs and make love” and you answer, “Pick one, I can’t do both!” Old is when… Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you’re barefoot. Old is when… A sexy babe catches your fancy and your pacemaker opens the garage door. Old is when… Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face. Old is when… You don’t care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don’t have to go too. Old is when… You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police. Old is when… “Getting a little action” means you don’t need to take any fibre today. Old is when… “Getting lucky” means you find your car in the car park. Old is when… An “all nighter” means not having to get up for a pee. I expect you all know many more! TESTING OF HIGH SPEED PNEUMATIC TYRES by R.