The 2007 Exhibition has come and gone and we can all look back on having provided another first class show with something for all our visitors. Our thanks are due to Bruce Nottrodt, his team, and to all those members who contributed.

This year, there were problems with publicity. The magazines in which we usually advertise required more notice than in previous years so that we missed them, and the Southern Federation flyer circulation arrangement was changed, so that we were left to mail all ME clubs within 100 miles ourselves. Nevertheless, we still managed to attract about 82% of the number of visitors that we had in 2006. This reduction together with apparently less spending power with those who did attend meant that our trader friends did not do well, and we must hope there will be some follow up business for them in the next few weeks. If not, some well known names may be missing next year.

Traction Engines on Parade! Don Hancock’s photograph of the outside line-up

Having the Exhibition in early April (and not Easter weekend as originally announced in error) meant that our 2007 active season took off with a bang with both tracks open to visitors as well. Thanks are due to the maintenance and construction teams over the winter, and the operating teams from 1 April, for us being ready to offer the public some activity 4 Sundays and/or Bank Holiday Mondays each month this year until October. Hopefully, this regularity will sustain continuity in the public’s support – subject of course to our members’ stamina!

Members will have seen in “Model Engineer” and elsewhere, reference to possible changes in the use of Metric v. Imperial units from 2009. John Hancock took the matter up with his MP in respect of the potential impact on our hobby, and also on the UK manufacturing industry. As a result we have a copy of a letter of 15 February 2007 from Ian McCartney, Minister for Trade, Investment, and Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, stating that UK Government policy is to press for the continuation of the current dual-standard arrangements beyond 2009. This is in response to an EU Consultation Document which has been circulated and can be seen here.

We must hope for a satisfactory outcome and that Europe remembers the most significant ‘Imperial’ market is the USA on whom much trade depends, and that some ‘Imperial’ standards (BSP, BA, etc) have been recognised and used internationally for years. Meantime our thanks to John for his efforts on our behalf.

In mid-March we were invited to a meeting in Vivary Park with representatives of TDBC to discuss the future of our raised track. We learned that the Council has plans to refurbish one of the tennis courts this year, abandon the other and extend the children’s play area. We were asked to consider how we would like to extend our track and to submit some development proposals for them to take into account. With input from regular members of the Vivary operating team we have identified a preferred option and our proposals are currently being put together for submission during May.

Finally, something entirely different. Members may know that Gerry Willis is the Chairman of the Aden Veterans Association (SW) which plans to mark the 40th anniversary of British withdrawal this year. Although your committee considered this was inappropriate for club support, we did say we would advise members who might wish to contribute on a personal basis. Please contact Gerry. (I haven’t told him my father would have been eligible to join, having been in Aden in 1941/2).

Mike.