I was recently given a set of 'Narrow Gauge World' magazines from their first year of publication. The April/May 2000 edition announces:
The annual meeting of the OO9 Society will be held at North East Worcester College, Redditch, near Worcester, on Saturday, May 20th (10am-5pm). The seventeen layouts on exhibition include two of special fame - Ted Polet's 'Dunalistair' which is being brought over from Holland, and Derek Naylor's 'Semerdale' which dates back to the early 1960s. There will also be numerous trade stands.
Did anybody reading this now attend that meeting?
Sorry I did not get to that one.
However, the society will probably have the minutes from the meeting if that is what you need.
Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on September 19, 2025, 00:34I was recently given a set of 'Narrow Gauge World' magazines from their first year of publication. The April/May 2000 edition announces:
The annual meeting of the OO9 Society will be held at North East Worcester College, Redditch, near Worcester, on Saturday, May 20th (10am-5pm). The seventeen layouts on exhibition include two of special fame - Ted Polet's 'Dunalistair' which is being brought over from Holland, and Derek Naylor's 'Semerdale' which dates back to the early 1960s. There will also be numerous trade stands.
Did anybody reading this now attend that meeting?
*
I cannot be certain, but I certainly did attend an exhibition (not the meeting) in Redditch at around that date. And Ted Polet was an exhibitor with "Dunalistair".
Why are you asking?
CP
I was only curious, as a newer member, about who among us was involved then. It was nice to see the Society mentioned in what, to me, is an ancient publication.
Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on September 19, 2025, 13:07I was only curious, as a newer member, about who among us was involved then. It was nice to see the Society mentioned in what, to me, is an ancient publication.
Yes I was there, and involved in the organisation of that AGM as a member of the local group who 'hosted', though I find it surprising, maybe even alarming, that something 25 years ago is 'ancient'...
(Especially having been a member of the Society continuously for 40 years or more ~:-O )
I was very much there! It was an extremely memorable day! Not only was TedP there with Dunalistair, but also the late(s) Derek Naylor with Paul Towers showing Derek's "Imperial TT" 1/96 1/8 inch to the foot scale, quarter inch gauge, totally scratchbuilt layout, lots of other top class 009 layouts and highly regarded modellers of the day (and still highly regarded!) as well.
EDIT - Appreciation to John "duttonbay" above for alerting me to my failure to proof read and spot my very basic error which has now been corrected in the above paragraph!
Also "famous" at the time and for years afterwards, because it was organised by Dave Etheridge who really went to town and nearly bankrupted the Society as a result! But it was very well worth it and I'm sure there are a good number of others besides Julien and myself who were there and remember it very fondly. Up in the archive memories alongside Kegworth 2013 and Statfold 2023 not so much in size but certainly in quality and "great day for members"
For me it was a great honour to take along several of my own early efforts which all had good turns on Dunalistair after Ted had spent a good deal of time "bringing them up to standard" to be able grace the hallowed metals!
I have a list of participants somewhere. If I haven't posted it in the next day or two (very busy this weekend), will somebody please remind me to dig it out and post it here if anyone is interested?
Mick
Quote from: MickT on September 20, 2025, 12:03"Imperial TT" 1/96 quarter inch to the foot scale totally scratchbuilt layout
Mick, minor correction here: 1/96 is one eighth inch to the foot
John
Thank you for pointing that out John. Oh BLX, My complete error in not proof reading! Quarter inch is of course the 1/96 scale Gauge of the scratchbuilt 2ft gauge track! I'll correct the original posting.
Naughty step, no sweeties.
Mick
I remembered that I included a report on the West Midland NG event and 009 Soc AGM at Redditch (20 May 2000) on Volume 1 of my now time-expired series of 5 CD volumes of roving reports between 1998 and 2009, so that made it more straightforward in compiling a listing for the benefit of Tom and anyone else who may be interested, of the layouts that attended. Here they are:
Buccabury Town - 009 - North London (Buccabury Branch) Group
Caher Patrick - TTn3 - Charlie Insley
Carne - 009 - Graham and Caroline Watling
The Ditton Railway Company - 009 - John Thorne & the Surrey NG Modellers Group
Everleight - 009 - Sussex Downs Group
Letterkenny - 00n3 - Andy Cundick
Low Taw - 009 - Derby & District Group
Llugwy Valley - 5mm scale, 12mm gauge - Malcolm Savage
Oakenvale - 009 - Martin Sutcliffe
Pagham Harbour - 009 - Richard Glover
Pitzalbahn - HOe - Jack Carter
Tan-yr-Allt - 009 - Roger Christian and Stan Williams
Waterhulme - 009 - Ian Drummond
Semerdale - Imperial TT - 1/96 scale 1/4 inch gauge - Derek Naylor, assisted by Paul Towers
Dunalistair - 009 - Ted Polet.
Mick
I must be losing it, 25 years ago and cannot remember being there with a layout.
Stan.
Quote from: Stan Williams on September 22, 2025, 09:48I must be losing it, 25 years ago and cannot remember being there with a layout.
Stan.
Tan yr Allt was definitely there, but I don't know if it was with Dwffyr. Is it possible that Roger may have been there without you?
Mick
Maybe I was on holiday ?
On Saturday at Rainhill, we had Tan Yr Allt, Dwffyr Uchaf and Dwffyr all 24ft joined together.
The first time in over 30 years.
We are going to see, if we can do it again on Saturday 29th November at the joint exhibition in the Rainhill High School
Stan.
Quote from: MickT on September 22, 2025, 00:12Pitzalbahn - HOe - Jack Carter
Mick
HO......That's embarrassing!... If Jack was there with Pitztalbahn I was there!!!
I must be getting old and forgetful!!