Questions about THE NEWS

[MickT]

I quote from Rod's posting:

"A photograph of the (simple) trophy was submitted by me along with a brief note detailing the reasons for and rationale behind the award."

So, both of the questions you have asked should be answered in the next News as was also stated in the caption to the photo in the current issue: "Full details in the next issue". I suggest it might be a sensible idea to wait until this comes out rather than open up discussion at this time, as this will probably morph into heated discussion followed by war being declared etc as we experienced a few weeks ago and I think it would be a good idea to remain in peace and harmony with Christmas imminently upon us. Just a suggestion!

The only reason it was raised at all was simply because there is a typo in the spelling of Philip Hancock's name which I know might have offended some people and also because it raised a possible concern that the trophy itself may also have this typo on it, both concerns of which have now been answered and reassured.

Mick

[Hobby]

Fine by me but Rod seemed to have already taken it further in his post so I was just interested to know the background... I can wait, no worries...

[clayliner]

As an aside, I can't help being reminded how the (old) GWR (which liked to change place names - see also Winchester St Giles Hill / Chesil) happily renamed Hanborough, north of Oxford, 'Handborough', although I think the current incarnation of the GWR have corrected this.

David.

[Mark Shenstone]

Finally got the December News. Got to love NZ Post and their Christmas mail service  :D Another week or so and things should be back to normal.  ;D

[MickT]

Is that the December issue just received (Vol 46/3) or the issue "received in December" - January (Vol 46/4) distributed to UK members during the week before Christmas?

If it was Vol 46/3 that you've just received, then there is another one in the system, probably fighting its way across the Southern Ocean in a P&O steamer that you still have to look forward to!

[Mark Shenstone]

Is that the December issue just received (Vol 46/3) or the issue "received in December" - January (Vol 46/4) distributed to UK members during the week before Christmas?

If it was Vol 46/3 that you've just received, then there is another one in the system, probably fighting its way across the Southern Ocean in a P&O steamer that you still have to look forward to!

Yes, it's the December issue. I'll most likely get the January issue in January sometime  :D

[clayliner]

Another welcome copy of the News just in time for Easter. The highlight for me was the cover photo, I think: from the wonky rake of wagons, to the sand washed/blown up against the shore to the gentle overall colouring which blended the whole together, it's a deeply satisfying picture, which would look good on any member's wall!


My only slight concern is that all the signals I can see (with the possible exception of the ?upper quadrant one) appear to be in the 'off' position. I realise that narrow gauge signalling - where the management actually felt any need to provide some - was something of a law unto itself, so I wouldn't presume to make any further comment.

David.

[Stan Williams]

That was a stunning photo of a slate train on the Cob.

I was fortunate in visiting Nicks home on Angelsey a few years ago and the layout is a joy to behold.

It fills a complete room in his bungalow.

A really stunning layout.

Stan.

[B.Meldon]

I agree with the above comments. The cover photo/layout is very good indeed.

Brian Meldon

[Turin 60]

As above good cover photo.

John Bruce No7.

[clayliner]

It has been said that time is what stops everything happening at once, but whether because of this or for other reasons our Hon. Editor is to be commended on the latest issue of the News, which is not only very readable* (as always) but entirely free of coronavirus, as far as I can see at first reading (though I have not yet had my copy formally tested). This makes it an especially welcome refuge from all the other news we are surrounded by at present. True, Angela Baker does manage one mention of a virus but she tells us confidently it was a 'thoroughly British virus' so presumably not Covid 19 (unless Andi Nethercoat has since tested positive, which would probably make him one of the first UK cases).

Someone – I think it was L P Hartley (not to be confused with J R Hartley!) - once said that 'the past is a foreign country'. Certainly the world portrayed in the News this month – with talk of gatherings and group meetings, and anticipation of forthcoming exciting shows and other events – is a very different world from the one we currently inhabit.

Martin 'Cereal Killer' Sutcliffe offers us further reassurance in his article about plastic pollution, which I am sure he is right about. So one less thing for us to worry about.

Our thanks also to Bill and the others who put themselves in harm's way to get our copies into their envelopes and then into the postal system. Much appreciated.

David.

*not least because it comes in paper format – I hope I will not see the day when I am obliged to read the News off a screen...

[Retiarius]

David.

*not least because it comes in paper format – I hope I will not see the day when I am obliged to read the News off a screen...

In these panic-buying times maybe we should ask for the News to be printed on a more absorbent paper, using a screen is not to be recommended.  ;D 

[MickT]

Our thanks also to Bill and the others who put themselves in harm's way to get our copies into their envelopes and then into the postal system. Much appreciated.

Well said David - from what I have read recently I believe that this month Bill did the whole 2000+ stuffing, labelling and posting challenge on his own, so a huge double thanks to Bill Luty.

He's already an Hon Life Member so maybe the Society should consider releasing funds for a complimentary double portion of cake at the AGM whenever that is able to take place after things calm down eventually.

Mick

[Stan Williams]

I would just like to add, that Bill has done the above on a few occasions when there has been a hitch in delivery to him from the printers.
He really works hard to make sure that members receive their newsletter in good time.
Certainly deserves the plaudits.

Stan.

[Hugh Norwood]

My copy of the latest NEWS arrived today. Some intersting material in it - and a great front photo.

Thanks to Bill for doing the stuffing and posting again. The rest of us on the "team" will all be way out of practice when/if we get out House Arrest!