The question of use of Imperial measures in Europe appears to have been resolved with the announcement that the existing dual-standard system we have enjoyed (?) is to continue beyond 2009, the major difference being that there is no time limit prescribed. Gradually I suppose people will change over to the metric system as our school leavers today will not know any better, and we are all having to get used to using the nearest metric equivalent when we find a previously available imperial product is no longer available – or apparently so. Looking recently for a source of Imperial needle roller bearings I tried a company’s UK website to find the emphasis was on metric standards, but the same company’s US website had only imperial sizes. Food for thought.

Although we have not heard back from TDBC yet about the plans for Vivary Park, public notices have appeared recently advising that the leylandii hedge alongside the lane is about to be removed – this being the first stage in the proposed development. Contact with the Council for not having responded to our letter did produce an apology for their lack of advice to us, but it also appears that they are still considering a number of proposals for the Pavilion and play area and wish to firm up their thinking before formally advising us as to their intentions. This delay is unfortunate as we had submitted our proposals promptly as requested, and indicated that we could have a larger track operational next year, but this did depend on a timely start.

Looking back over our recent meetings programme there is a wide range of subjects covered, some well supported, and others less so. What was obvious was the strong support for practical evenings, in particular the two visits from Noel Shelley all the way from North Norfolk to talk about home foundry work, including a practical demonstration and the annual welding evening hosted by Andy Webb which was as popular as ever. This interest in how things are done was brought out in our ‘Any Questions’ evening last year when a number of our newer members expressed a wish to learn some of the basic skills many of us take for granted. While some members have been able to benefit from one-to-one guidance, your Committee did consider we should try to do more if possible.

Thanks to Alan Miller we now have a 5” Atlas lathe installed at Creech which, once commissioned, can form the basis for some regular training sessions. We therefore propose the second Tuesday each month be designated a workshop evening when a number of us will be on hand to show those that wish to learn some of the basic fitting and machining skills. Please let Committee members know if you want to be included and bring along items that you need help with.

A past stalwart member of the club was John Snazell who may be recalled by some of our older members. They may also recall his son Carl who has lived in Canada for some years and who I met this year during a visit to the Burnaby track of the British Columbia SME. Although many years have passed since Carl’s links to Taunton ME, he did pass on his contact details in case anyone wishes to get in touch. Let me know.

As you know the BCSME badge was presented to us 2 years ago by Martin Rogers when over here and now hangs in the workshop at Creech. This year I returned the compliment by presenting to them a mounted version of our badge which they were well pleased to accept and which we should find mounted in their clubhouse when any of us are able to visit Burnaby in the future.

Mike.