Traditionally this is the time of year when we look back on our achievements and forward to our plans for the future. As I mentioned last time, 2009 has been significant for the progress made with the TME projects to extend the raised track in Vivary Park and the ground level track at Creech St.Michael. Both are proving popular and our regular running sessions draw both those members of the public who want a ride and those who just enjoy watching the trains going past. This can only be good for the Club.

What is sometimes disappointing is the level of active support from within the membership but although the membership is steady at around 130, it is a relatively small hard core of regulars who turn out for working parties and running days. This in part is a reflection of the many and varied interests within the Club and also of an increasing age profile which tends to limit people’s physical abilities. This situation is not untypical of many other Clubs and Associations today in a society where much emphasis is placed on electronic communication and research which tends to lead to less gatherings of a social or community nature.

Unfortunately this can react on our ability to keep the Club active unless a faithful few step forward to occupy the main Committee positions. For the past two years Gerry Willis has acted as Exhibition Manager, and for which we all owe him our thanks for the sterling work he put in, but in 2009 he has had to step down as has been reported to Club meetings. Given that we have not had an Events Secretary for some three years this means that now we have two key vacancies on the Committee with no candidates to take on these roles.

Whilst your Committee is currently managing to put forward a varied programme for you to enjoy it does not have the capacity for taking on the Exhibition management as well. If we add to this the fact that our regular ‘first weekend in April’ slot next year is Easter so an alternative date is needed, whilst there have been indications from some of our regular Traders that they may not be able to cover as many shows as they would like next year.

Your Committee has reluctantly therefore had to cancel the arrangements being made for our 2010 Exhibition as members attending recent meetings will know. In addition the Club will clearly need to consider what Taunton ME should do in the future both in terms of mounting its own shows or supporting others. But this is not just a Committee problem, it affects all members. Your views on the way forward are needed and will be welcome, either by letter to the Editor or in discussion at meetings so that we can draw some conclusions at the next AGM.

Meantime the 2010 position has been advised to the model engineering press and to the other Clubs and Traders who have been involved over the years. We would again like to express our formal appreciation and thanks for the support we have had from them.

There is therefore a distinct gap in next year’s programme but as you will see from this issue of Oily Rag there will still be plenty going on. We hope there is something of interest for everybody to enjoy. With that our very best wishes for a Happy Christmas, good health and a Good New Year when we can all look forward to meeting up again.

Mike