How about “MILESTONES ACHIEVED” as 2009 is significant for two Club projects.

Firstly the completion of the extended track in Vivary Park which was formally opened by the Deputy Mayor of Taunton on the first day of this year’s Taunton Flower Show. The revised track is proving very popular with our visitors and thanks are due to the regular operating team for their efforts in looking after the increasing numbers of riders. Secondly as you will see elsewhere, this year will see the completion of the 7 ¼” gauge main line circuit at Creech and which should be operational for the 2010 season. Our thanks are due to the regular Thursday and Sunday gangs for the rate at which this has been done and to the regular operating team who look after our slowly increasing numbers of visitors.

Mention must be made that the Club has also had an IMLEC entry this year in the shape of Ian Grinter’s ‘Royal Scot’ which took part in the competition at the Bristol track. Although not finishing near the top of the table (a milestone he may not wish to remember!) our thanks and congratulations go to Ian for taking part and flying the flag for TME.

I close with a reminder that we shortly resume our seasonal programme of events in Stoke Village Hall. You will see we have a varied selection of contents until the end of this year but we do still have gaps in the programme for 2010. Your ideas and even contributions for inclusion will be welcomed by your Committee. The event on 1 September is intended to be a mix of ‘Bits and Pieces’ and ‘Work in Progress’ and is an opportunity for our less experienced members to gain from others’ knowledge either by bringing along their current project where help is needed, or by seeing items in progress where an explanation of methods used might be of future help. This format stemmed from members’ requests made when we had one of our ‘chit-chat’ evenings earlier this year – it will be interesting to see how we get on.

Mike