Brian Guilmant

[Sven]

It was sad news to hear of his passing. He was always so nice and I was flattered that he always remembered my name. As said above, for some he was the face of the society. In the beginning, I thought he was the chairman (Sorry, David!). I will miss him and wish all the best to his family to deal with this loss.

[Hobby]

the attic became headquarters of the 009 Society Sales department after it was moved from Brian's garage, and was where the Thursday team met to deal with all the mail order operation every week until Brian became too ill to continue.

As it was when I visited towards the end of last year when we stayed in the area, I was made very welcome by everyone and had a chat with Brian, seem he wasn't looking forward to having to sell on my HOe collection for some reason!

[duttonbay]

http://micksrovingreporter.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-visit-to-brian-guilmants-imperial.html

Thanks very much for the link Mick. I saw this back when you first published it, but it was lovely to be reminded of the layout. I found it fascinating that the diagram has no names for any of the localities. Was this the case, or just not recorded on the diagram?
Always sad when one of the well known figures of the hobby passes. If only because as we get older, we realise that this will be happening more and more often to people we know...

[Graeme Dunbar]

It was lovely to be reminded of Brian's layout. Thanks.

I've forgotten the back story to the layout but the colonial theme combined with what looks very much like a Welsh Chapel suggests an alternative Patagonia???

[Sunshine and Ten Cents]

Dreadfully sad news. RIP Brian, and thank you for everything you did for the society.

[Julian Evison]

Brian's funeral will take place on Thursday 6th August at 11am. The total number of mourners is restricted to 20; Geoff Bowyer and John Thorne, will represent the Society and give a eulogy at Brian's request.

The funeral directors have made arrangements for the service to be webcast. The website will have a copy of the order of service that can be viewed on the day for those following at home. Access details are as follows:

Website: www.funeraldirector.co.uk/brian-guilmant

Username: Nigu5600

Password: 000761

Click on 'Watch Video' under Brian's picture, a new page will open, then enter the username and password at the very top of the page.

Julian

[The Sales Team]

Just a further note to say that today we said a formal farewell to our colleague, mentor and friend -


                                                 


Attendance at the service was necessarily limited, but fitting tributes were paid by John Thorne and Geoff Bowyer in which Brian's involvement with the Society naturally figured prominently. There was recognition not only of his great ability to organise but also his friendliness and pastoral care towards everyone he encountered - as many of the online tributes here and on the NGRM forum have also attested to.

We hope that the revived Sales Service, in its new web based incarnation, will be a fitting tribute to Brian when it is launched in the near future (watch out for more details of this).

The Sales Team.