Sometimes I wonder if members read these notes. None of your committee has had any comments from members about the cancellation of this year’s exhibition, nor have they heard any mutterings about whether people will miss it or have merely accepted that it will not happen.

Conversely there has been comment from outside TME regretting our decision and hoping that we shall be able to reverse it in 2011 and again hold what has come to be regarded as one of the best and friendliest exhibitions in the West. These welcome comments have come from both traders and visitors - so it is now up to you!

TME needs to make a decision at the AGM in April at the latest if 2011 is to go ahead. In view of the importance the future of our exhibition will be an agenda item so I look to you all to contribute to the discussion, either at the meeting or by putting your views to a Committee member beforehand.

Remember the odds are 100% against being right if no decision is made - but only a 50% chance of being wrong if we come to a conclusion!

Meantime our 2010 programme is underway. The first meeting has to be a record for attendance – owing to the weather only 5 members turned up!! It did not last long.

Unfortunately Lee Kimber is not now available for 2 March owing to a new posting. An alternative speaker is being sought. On the other hand on 16 March we now have Geoff Sheppard from the Bristol Club who will talk about “Engineering Highways & Byways” while for 4 May Helen Verrall of Western Steam will be talking about “Boiler Making”.

I hope members will give these visitors and the rest of our 2010 plenty of support.

Mike