the official newsletter of the bedford model … · new point with metal base by john lawson ed....
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New Point with metal base by John Lawson Ed.
Platforms 2,3 Run Round and Siding Ed.
1
The
Coupling Volume 14 Issue 2 March/April 2011
The Official Newsletter of The Bedford Model Engineering Society
Before…………………….. Gordon Mead
After…………………... Ed.
2
OFFICERS and COMMITTEE
of the Bedford Model Engineering Society
President: Jim Bassett
Vice Presidents: John Crawley John Saunders Michael Maskell
Chairman: Dick Billington
29 Ampthill Road, Maulden, Bedford, MK45 2DA
(Tel: 01525 750914); email: [email protected]
Vice Chairman: Alan Gildersleve
20 Walton Road, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes, MK7 8AE (Tel: 01908 646711); email: [email protected]
Secretary and Membership Secretary: Alan Beard
2 Brambles, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3ED
(Tel: 01234-301867); email: [email protected]
Treasurer: David Boyde
21 Arun Close, Bedford, MK41 7AD
(Tel: 01234-406757); email: [email protected]
Committee: Nigel Morrell Shaun O‟Hare
Paul Crabtree Andrew Warren
Coupling Editor: Tony Bullock 67 Coates Lane, High Wycombe, HP13 5ET
(Tel: 01494 439098); e-mail [email protected]
Boiler Testers: Richard Bennett 7 Winchester Gardens, Luton, Beds, LU3 3UD
(Tel: 01582-895015)
Dick Billington, Les Aylott; Nigel Freestone
All appointments for boiler testing to be made only via Richard Bennett.
Traction Engines and Road Steam: Steve Lee
145 Wingfield, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5Uy
(Tel: 07952-529460); email: [email protected]
Webmaster Richard Brown
email [email protected]
RAILWAY SUB-COMMITTEE
John Lawson (Chairman), Tony Bullock, Alan Gildersleve and Phil Wright
rinted by and distributed/posted by Alan Beard (01234-301867). Readers are reminded
that any views expressed in The Coupling are solely those of the individual contributors.
They do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or of the BMES committee. They
should therefore not be regarded as being part of Society policy.
© Bedford Model Engineering Society
Bedford Model Engineering Society is a company limited by guarantee and having no share capital;
Company Reg. No. 4087828, Registered Office: 2 Brambles, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3ED
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‘The COUPLING’ PUBLICATION DATES
The newsletter is published bi-monthly with issues in January, March, May,
July, September and November. In each case the publication day is the third
Thursday of the month, which will normally be three days after the respective
monthly Committee Meeting. This is to allow for any „stop press‟ information
derived from these meetings to be included as a flyer. Copy deadlines for
contributions, Letters to the Editor, etc, will be set at eight days prior to
publication, usually following the meeting on the second Monday.
Next copy deadline is 11th.May 2011 , please!
SOCIETY SALES
Sweat and polo shirts can be made up for individuals according to size and
logo required. They can be embroidered with the owner's name if so wished
and the logo can be either the club badge with Summerfields Miniature
Railway around the outside, i.e. the one we are all familiar with, or just the
Society badge as depicted on the front of this issue.
Our contact for these is Tony Bullock (Tel: 01494 439098) and he tells me that
prices remain exactly the same as last year. The polo shirts are ideal on a nice
still summer's day, while the sweatshirts are excellent to keep out the wind and
make smart casual wear for other occasions.
Single and double-sided fleeces are available to order. Also available are
showerproof jackets and these can be overprinted with logo and name as
required.
If you wish to place an order for yourself or your partner, then please contact
Tony direct; he is often at club meetings when he will be happy to oblige.
The fridge magnets in the form of a BR totem station sign and depicting Haynes
End may be obtained from the Station Buffet.
SPRING WEAR
So far we have not received notification of any price increases due to VAT or
raw material costs. However, prices are expected to increase soon so don‟t
leave it too long if you require club clothing such as Fleeces, Sweat Shirts, T-
shirts, Beanie Hats or Baseball Caps.
B M E S
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COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The general committee of the Society normally meets on the third Monday of
each month. Meetings are usually held at Kempston Fire Station HQ confer-
ence room and commence at 7.00pm. Any member is welcome to come along
to these meetings as an observer. If you intend coming to one of these meet-
ings , may we ask that you first contact any committee member, as on rare occa-
sions the location may be changed. This is because the Fire Brigade may need
the room for operational purposes.
MEETINGS
Regular meetings are held on the second Monday evening of each month
throughout the year. These meetings are held in the Wilstead Village Hall dur-
ing the winter (October to March inclusive) and at the track site from April to
September. Details of meetings content, times and venues will be given in pre-
ceding issues of The Coupling.
On Wednesdays a group assembles at around 10.00 am at the track site, mainly
to work on various projects. Any member is welcome to come along and give a
hand or just to enjoy a chat plus a cup of tea or coffee.
Wainwright‟s emporium is open but currently running at a low activity level
until the final sorting of the dirty workshop is complete.
Sunday mornings, other than public running days are another time for routine
maintenance work. We meet at the track around 9.30 am; there is always plenty
to do.
BMES WEB SITE
An addition to our website is a link to a weather forecast for our local area; to
access the chart, just go to our website and click on the link. The site may be
accessed from any one of three addresses. They are:
www.bedfordmes.co.uk
www.summerfieldsmr.co.uk
www.summerfieldmr.co.uk
The reasoning behind the apparent duplication of the latter two is that many
people incorrectly omit the final „s‟ in Summerfields.
Richard Brown advises that he has had little feedback from members concern-
ing the website. Please, if you haven‟t already done so, visit the site and let us
know what you think. This is our access to the much wider outside world and
we need it to be as perfect as it can be made.
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EDITORIAL
Greetings to all and welcome to the Spring edition of your newsletter. With the
sun shining brightly as I write one hopes that this is the shape of things to come
and not our summer! In this issue you will find details of forthcoming events
at your club and they have something for everyone. Following a successful trial
last year the Small Loco Rally (Top Track Gala) returns and it is hoped that
once again we will attract visitors from other clubs. For our road members the
Traction Engine Rally is confirmed and after a break last year we will, once
again , be holding our Exhibition. The Visitor Rally in September is already
showing signs of being well supported and we look forward to welcoming
friends old and new to the club. The boating pool is being cleaned out for the
boat enthusiasts. As well as these there are the usual club days, club meetings
and public running days. So there is something for everyone be they road, rail
or water interests. It is hoped that all members will be at the club site some time
over the coming months to enjoy all that is on offer. The organisers of the
various events will need help and if you can assist in any way please contact the
relevant person and see what you can do.
Some of our members have been in hospital recently for a variety of reasons.
The Society wishes all who have been in this situation. and anyone who has
been unwell, a speedy recovery.
Enjoy the issue and I look forward to seeing you at the club over the season.
Tony Bullock
YEAR END ACCOUNTS
The Annual Year End Accounts issued to all members prior to the recent AGM
displayed an unfortunate error. I explained this to those attending the AGM and
issued a further corrected issue to them.
The error occurred in the previous year column, i.e. 2009 and did not affect the
2010 figures whatsoever, which were approved by our auditors.
If you should require an updated sheet, then please contact me and I will
forward one to you.
I would like to apologise to everyone for this error, which was caused by a
simple finger problem while completing the original document. I think it is my
first time in 15 or so years as Treasurer so I suppose it was bound to happen at
some time!!!
David Boyde — Treasurer
4
COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS
A copy of the minutes is placed in the crew room and a second copy is normally
available at each Monday meeting.
July Meeting
The Hertfordshire Education Authority has transferred the ownership of the
Maid of Kent loco to BMES.
The bridge is now complete with no outstanding invoices on the project.
The committee visited the site to view the front barns and new workshop
complex in preparation for vacating the barns by the end of August. All the
heavy machines were in the new workshop, their final positioning still remained
to be decided.
Paul Crabtree presented a model of the Haynes End area of the site, from the
station across to the compound, as an aid to future planning for the new
clubroom at Haynes End. Ted said that from current experience he thought it
unlikely that funding for any replacement building would be available for some
time.
The society financial position is healthy. The total overspend on the Awards for
All projects is £1840
The incident at Winterfield on Wednesday 10th June, was caused by a
combination of several factors. Proposals to prevent such an occurrence in
future warning signs and a rule that all electric locomotives fitted with only
regenerative braking must have a train with separate braking. These were
approved and will be included in the new railway operating guidelines. The
requirement for spark arresters will also be included.
Now that the new bridge at Winterfield is in use, there is a need for direction
signs to show that the Winterfield site has three railways on it, not just one.
Use of the new bridge at Winterfield has caused confusion amongst passengers
and the ticket office needs relocating at a cost in the order of £200. A proposal
to proceed was agreed and will be conducted through the RSC.
Mary was concerned that non-committee approved expenditure had taken place
at Winterfield to build a fence around the old carriage shed. In reply Alan G
stated that this area had become very unsightly and the fence tidied up the site
considerably. This point was agreed by most of the committee. Costs would
not be refunded until committee approval had been given and passed via the
RSC.
Gates will be fitted at the level crossing to improve safety.
Ted said that the passenger survey continued satisfactorily. He stated that
Meppershall Mother and Toddler Group had confirmed a visit on 30th July with
some 30 persons coming. This visit was a direct result of donating a bundle of
tickets for use as raffle prizes to the group earlier in the year.
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
After a considerable amount of hard work the new Haynes End platform layout
is approaching completion, with three platform tracks and a fourth track as a run
-around track, there should be much greater operational flexibility during the
coming season. The new platform layout does include the foundations for the
future canopy, when built. We intend that the new station should be fully
signalled and running for Easter when our summer programme starts in earnest.
The first running day of the season was not advertised as we were still working
on various aspects of the site. It was decided that we would give rides at £1 per
head to those who came. On a coldish but bright sunny day amidst the sounds
of cementing and ballast shovelling, trains were run for the slow but steady
stream of the public that arrived. The buffet was up and running with tea and
cakes and a modest sum was taken. A number of members took the opportunity
to try out new locos. I had a ride behind a new electric loco and was able to
have a good look around. Our site is looking good and I was surprised when in
“the country areas” to see the number of small wildflowers appearing, plus an
increasing number of rabbit holes. Members have started tidying up the
borders. Spring has definitely arrived.
An interesting sight to be seen on our railway recently has been the first radio
controlled 7¼” train that I have ever seen. Will it catch on I ask?
The current buffet which is rapidly reaching its sell-by, or bonfire, date and the
committee is currently looking very carefully at a replacement building. If any
members have ideas for fund raising schemes will they please talk to members
of the Committee. Note, one suggestion that we sell a calendar made up of
pictures similar to the W I calendar recently was vetoed immediately.
We have started repairing the holes in the road track by the railway and have
asked the landlords to repair the potholes in the entrance.
We have plans of how to replace the wire mesh panels around the steaming bay,
one at a time for ease. If any member would like to take on the task of making
these panels over the season please talk to me or any committee member.
Replacement panels would improve the looks of the steaming bay considerably.
We started well with fine dry weather for our first running day last Sunday and
provided we have the same good weather as last season it should be a good
year. I hope to see you all over at the track site at some point during the year.
Dick Billington
.CLUB MEETINGS
Note that we will only be having one evening meeting per month and not the
two which we had in the summer months.
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VISITS TO OTHER TRACKS
The Society has received invitations to visit the following tracks:
SAFFRON WALDEN
Road and Rail Steam Gala 14/15 May
3½, 5, 7¼ . tracks and 10.25 plus Traction Engines
Further details from Alan Beard
STOOMGROEP WEST ZUIDERPARK in The Hague
International Steamdays 30 April, 1 May
3½, 5, 7¼ tracks
www.stoomgroepwest.nl details available in English
STOOMGROEP TURNHOUT Belgium
International Steamdays 11/12/13 June [Whitsun]
5, 7¼ tracks
www.stoomgroep.be, details available in English
[strongly recommended]
WOKING MINIATURE RAILWAY SOCIETY (Mizens)
Visiting locos weekend 14/15 May
7¼ ” (long)
Further details from Alan Beard
MACHINERY FOR SALE
Equipment available, not new but regularly maintained.
Myford Super-7 with quick change gearbox, barrel switch, stand and 3-jaw
chuck.
Myford Mill Model KF-VM<-C with cutters, collets and vice.
3 x 4” 3-jaw chucks (one for ML7), 1 x 6” 4-jaw chuck
All by Pratt & Burnerd
2 x 7” face-plates
Metric conversion set
Myford 2MT collet-set (1/2 and 7/32 missing)
Many miscellaneous nitems
Contact Bob Abbott, 235 High St. Offord Cluny, St. Neots, PE19 5RT
Oe email [email protected]
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
WVH Wilstead village hall
FS Fire Station
CS Club Site
CLUB EVENTS 2011
April
Monday 11th. CS Old Warden Musings
Wednesday 13th. CS Public Running
Sunday 24th. CS Easter Day Public Running
Monday 25th. CS Easter Monday Public Running
May
Sunday 1st. CS May Bank Holiday Public Running
Monday 2nd. CS May Bank Holiday Public Running
Monday 9th. CS Sale Night
Sunday 29th. CS Spring Bank Holiday Public Running
Monday 30th. CS Spring Bank Holiday Public Running
June
Sunday 12th. CS Public Running
Monday 13th. CS Barbecue Night
Friday 24th. CS Traction Engine Rally
Saturday 25th. CS Traction Engine Rally
Sunday 26th. CS Traction Engine Rally and Public Running
July
Sunday 10th. CS Small Loco Rally
Monday 11th. CS Bits and pieces, problems and failures
Sunday 17th. CS Public Running
Wednesday 27th. CS P Public Running
August
Monday 8th. CS Buffet replacement presentation
Wednesday 10th. CS Public Running
Sunday 14th. CS Club Running Day
Sunday 28th. CS Exhibition and Public Running
Monday 29th. CS Exhibition and Public Running
5
COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS A copy of the minutes is placed in the crew room, at Winterfield and another copy is
normally available at each Monday meeting.
January Meeting
Health & Safety: Dick stated that once work on the Haynes End station and the new
workshop was complete new risk assessments will be prepared. In a slower
timescale all the site risk assessments will be reviewed.
Workshop: When the electrical wiring has been completed and certified Jim Bassett
will update the Electrical Survey report for our Landlords. Loch Treig‟s boiler work
has slowed due to weather problems.
Site Manager: Nick Bone has agreed to be Site Manager. Jim will conduct PAT
tasks across the site during the year.
Fund Raising Sub Committee: David reported on the building viewed at Maskell‟s
for the proposed buffet replacement. The committee will investigate a similar
building to replace the existing buffet. David intimated that help and advice would
be available during erection of the new building. The new building will be
positioned on the existing site with the end (patio) doors facing the signal box.
There is some concern that the replacement building will increase dry storage
problems.
The Sub Committee is investigating possible funding for the building.
AGM: The committee decided not to propose a subscription rise at the AGM.
Andy queried the right to vote of family members. Family members have the right
to vote, ref paras. 2.5 and 2.8 of our Bye-laws.
A.O.B:
Dick will arrange with members the BMES attendance at the Shuttleworth model
exhibition on 12th March next.
The Milton Keynes MRC has been offered a visit to the small loco rally in July.
2011 Santa. The second Santa is not available due to a prior booking. Alan G will
investigate a possible replacement.
Halloween. The committee decided that with the replacement buffet planned we
would not proceed with any Halloween event in 2011.
Alan G asked if we could take some good promotional photos for when we
advertised the Santa Specials
Simon Heptonstall has asked for a party on Sunday 5th June for a family function.
The committee agreed and would ensure there was a train in service.
Alarm access: Andy and Paul asked about emergency alarm access/reporting
numbers. David and Shaun will prepare a list.
February Meeting
RSC: Ballast is needed for both Haynes End and Winterfield. A trial of steel rather
than concrete for the structure of the raised track was referred to the RSC.
6
Security Report: The recent alarm call was triggered by the batteries being
exhausted of charge due to a power failure. This was a result of mains power
cables supplying the old maintenance shed being left exposed. The security
system is operational with power to the signal box and station only being turned
on when essential. The new site manager, Nick Bone, must be asked to OK all
electrical works in the future and all mains electrical installation work must also
be authorised by Nick.
Southill Estates is considering improving site security by installing lockable
gates at each of the three entrances to the site.
Railway Operations Manager: The first running day of the season (20th
March) is in doubt due to unavoidable delays at Haynes End. Advertising leaf-
let inserts will not have the date included and the website will be updated as
necessary. No changes to basic fares but the David has discretion to alter the
discounted rate.
Catering: The buffet is being cleaned and prepared for the coming season. The
store must be ready and will require removal of the 2 redundant refrigerators
and the relocation of the Grotto panels.
Bedford BC will be applying the National Food Hygiene Ratings scheme to all
premises selling food. The buffet will be inspected.
Workshop: Students from BTG will be on site on Wednesday 23rd February to
complete the workshop electrics.
Site Manager: The road surface at the entrance is breaking up. Landlord con-
tacted.
Dick has made repairs to the buffet inner walls.
Toilet maintenance will need to be reviewed if a new full time tenancy of the
barn arises. Southill Estates is aware of the costs borne by BMES for emptying
the toilet waste tank.
Two offers to help reduce the rabbit population have come from members and
Alan B will discuss with the landlords if we can ferret as well as shoot.
The track alongside the railway is in poor condition and near to unusable by the
steam bus. A priority job when time and workers become available.
Boats: The pool has been emptied but refills before work can be carried out.
No further action until the weather is more helpful.
Mowing/fuel: The new mower will not need an immediate service. The old
mower is in operational condition.
AGM: All members who had not renewed by the due date have been advised
by letter that they will not be admitted to the meeting. No payments will be
accepted on the night.
A.O.B:
Winifred Hinde Trophy. The committee agreed unanimously that the award
should be to the owner of a model that had been substantially created by him.
15
BMES Small Loco Rally
10th
. July 2011
A traditional Model Engineering day of fun and friendship. The raised track and ground level Springfield tracks available. Gauges 2½”, 3½”, 5” Raised Track and 5” and 7¼” Ground Level. All 2½”, 3½”, 5” and Small 7¼” locos maximum 0-6-0 welcome Open 11:00 to 16:30pm. Tea, Coffee and soft drinks available all day. Gas BBQ available for use. Bring your own food/picnic. Visiting locos welcome. Private event – no public running Haynes End ground level closed apart from shuttle service for toilets, parking.
EXHIBITION
29th. and 30th. August 2011
Our Exhibition will be held in the marquee on site with the usual trophies up for
grabs. At the same time we will be open to the public and it is an ideal time to
show people what is achieved by our members and show off your skills. Re-
member that our workshop is available if you have something to finish in time
for the show. Our organiser is one of our younger members—Vicki Dodd. You
may remember Vicki from Santa Specials when she was one of Santa‟s elves
„Ealth‟ and „Safety‟. Vicki was „Ealth‟. Vicki will be looking for plenty of ex-
hibits showing your work to make her first show an outstanding success. Over
to you to get modelling so please contact Chairman Dick or Secretary Alan in
the first instance to advise what you are exhibiting. At the same time offers of
help to set up and steward can be made.
14
MINIATURE TRACTION ENGINE RALLY 2011
Our rally dates are now confirmed
For the last weekend in June.
So get your engines sorted out
And everything in tune.
A programme with a sense of fun
And interest for all
Has been arranged by our lad Steve
So just give him a call.
Twenty Fifth of June‟s the day
To put things to the test.
Compete against each other then
To see who is the best.
Sunday Twenty Sixth is when
The public are around.
Entertain them with your skills
And make those whistles sound.
Contact Steve and book in now
To join this happy time.
His contact details are below
But I cannot make them rhyme.
Stephen Lee, 145, Wingfield, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough. PE2 5UY
Telephone: 07952 529460. E-mail: [email protected]
Paraprosdokian Sentences
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit
salad.
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars but
check when you say the paint is wet?
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you
with experience.
War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
Peter Clowes
7
The Coupling. It was agreed that no change be made to the number of issues
but that printing will be in-house as previously and that Alan B will trial send-
ing by electronic mail. The newsletter could be placed on the website in a
password protected area as on the 7¼” Society website.
School Advertising. David and Tony Bullock have prepared a poster advertis-
ing the railways that was suitable for a targeted posting to local preschools.
Dick said the poster should be a general purpose poster, not just for schools.
This was agreed. The meeting also agreed that a trial should be attempted.
Harrogate coach. A suggestion that a coach be hired for a trip to the Harrogate
Exhibition was considered but it was not considered viable at this time.
The proposed purchase of a building from Maulden Garden Centre was ruled
out by no quote, no plans, no reliability despite several reminders. A very simi-
lar building can be bought from Roxton Garden Centre that has quoted, given
plans and will supply from an English manufacturer. It was agreed that the
grant application and a planning application could go ahead.
The 7¼” Society webmaster will be contacted to obtain an entry for BMES in
the “Directory”.
Dick stated that the response from Shuttleworth regarding the proposed exhibi-
tion on12th March gave unresolved safety implications. It was decided not to
attend".
VISITORS’ INSURANCE
At the recent AGM a point was raised regarding non members insurance in the
event of an incident causing injury or loss.
The answer to this is easy to resolve. If you, as a member, wish to bring a visi-
tor, e.g a relative, to our site at Summerfields at any time then all you have to do
is have the visitor sign in the Visitors‟ Book, which is located in the Signal Box
at Haynes End for temporary one day membership. The visitor involved will
then be covered under the Society‟s Insurance for that day only.
When it is recognised that a visitor is appearing too frequently then that person
MUST become a member of the Society at the appropriate rate depending on
age.
This ruling is no different from that of visiting people who come to run a loco-
motive. They must have a “Certificate of Public Liability Insurance” appropri-
ately signed by their own Society by their Treasurer or Secretary. This certifi-
cate Must be recorded in the Visitors‟ Book along with their Boiler Certificate
if required.
David Boyde—Treasurer
8
NEWS FROM THE SECRETARY
If you need to do any electrical work on site please clear it with the Site Man-
ager, Nick Bone, before starting. Recent events have shown a need for tighter
supervision of this potentially dangerous area of activity.
After considering a petition from members regarding the Winifred Hinde Tro-
phy the committee decided that it should be awarded for a model that has been
substantially built by a member. The committee is aware that these days many
components are obtained “off the shelf” such as laser cut parts, boilers and fit-
tings while almost all fixings come in little packets. We must trust the judges
on the day to interpret “substantially built.”
The Coupling cost £926 in the last year of which nearly £300 was for posting.
Each copy cost about 60p to produce. In an effort to reduce the cost of the
newsletter I have run a trial of sending it electronically. Two versions were sent
out, one as a Word document and the other as a pdf file. The Word version was
fine until an attempt was made to print when it proved to be a nightmare. The
pdf version prints beautifully appearing exactly as when mailed. I am grateful
to those members who gave me feedback and of the 31 who did so only 2 were
unwilling to accept the electronic copy. Much more disappointing is the fact
that 41 members did not bother to reply.
Where to from here? This issue will be posted to the around 70 members for
whom I do not have an email address. If you do have an email address and
would like to help to save BMES money please send me a message.
If you are one of those with an email address who did not reply a hard copy is
on its way to you and an electronic version too. Please get back to me with a
yea or a nay. I should add here that the emails went out as blind carbon copies
(bcc) so that your email address was not disclosed to any other persons.
Many other clubs put the newsletter onto their website. Is this the way to go?
Finally, the hard copy will have been printed on my home printer so the quality
will not be as good as recently.
Replacement buffet. In order to gain funding it is necessary that getting plan-
ning permission should not be an obstacle. With this is mind an application has
been submitted to Bedford Planning Department.
A sad note to end my piece this month. One member and his young son will not
be renewing their membership. The youngster has a 7¼” gauge diesel outline
loco that he has brought to the track on 4 occasions. He was totally ignored by
13
I had a wonderful time once again and whilst the barracking and jollity was at
times restrained due to a Parish meeting being held in the adjoining room, there
were plenty of folk willing to ignore both this and the number one rule that the
answer they were looking for was the one on my card! Looking forward to
teasing the answers out of you all again next year if I‟m asked.
*Very successful except for the Hats round where someone made such big rhu-
barb of setting out the order on the paper the round had to be cancelled and
hopefully carried over to next year. When I find out who that was ...
Richard Shepherd
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
SHIONA’S SHORTBREAD
INGREDIENTS
4 ozs. Icing Sugar
4 ozs. Corn Flour
8 ozs. Plain Flour
8 ozs. Butter or Hard Margarine
METHOD.
1. Rub fat into dry ingredients and knead together.
2. OR Mix all ingredients in a Food Processor or Mixer.
3. Biscuits. Roll Out ½” thick and cut into shape. Place on a greased tray.
4. OR. Press into two 7” Greased Sponge Tins, cut into triangles when out
of the oven and still soft.
Oven 325 degrees F 160 degrees C Gas mark 3
For 30 to 35 minutes
Anne Boyde
12
THE CHRISTMAS QUIZ (Quizmaster Report)
Hello fellow members of BMES, associates and friends,
The annual bun fight that passes for quiz night was held at Wilstead Village hall
on December 13th. Unlucky for those who were unable to make it as the food
laid out was of gargantuan proportions resulting in plenty for everyone, with a
jolly good selection of both savoury and sweet. What a terrific job the ladies do
to put this on for us every year. Thank you one and all.
Following the *very successful Quiz night here are the final results for 2010.
The table groups were most inventive yet again but here are the names I
allowed them to use! We had eight teams competing on the night, completing
seven rounds of ten questions.
On reviewing the results the more observant among our throng [note the „r‟ in
there. I want to quash the rumour that it is a requirement to be wearing a thong
in order to attend Quiz nights. Now this has been quashed we can look forward
to more members attending perhaps?] Where was I? Oh yes, the more
observant among our throng may well have noticed that there was at least one
score of 11. This is as a result of the bonus questions tossed into the pot for
good measure. [Imperial measure of course].
The 2010 Teams:
Elf and Safely: 5, 6, 8, 11, 7, 8, 6 Total 51
2 Short: [this referred to the average table number]: 7, 5, 4, 7, 6, 9, 6 Total: 44
Don‟t no: [„Cos we don‟t! .. apparently] 6, 3, 5, 8, 4, 6, 7 Total: 39
Ho Ho: [this refers to their part time work as Santa, not the Loco size they
model] 7, 4, 6, 8, 7, 8, 6 Total: 46.
A Rachne‟s Web: [they certainly spun some good answers] 5, 3, 7, 9, 8, 4, 6
Total: 42
Haynes Hopefuls: [You don‟t want to know] 6, 5, 7, 9, 5, 7, 7 Total: 46
The Hammer Hillers: [Word is these chaps are auditioning for the next horror
film to be made in Bedford] 4, 7, 6, 9, 6, 9, 9, 7 Total: 48
Xmas Puds [you could see this team were thinking ahead] 6, 4, 5, 7, 8, 6, 7
Total: 44
There was much carousing and hollering from table one, score: 51, on the
announcement of the results. This turned to a completely different tone when it
was mentioned that this year‟s off-side rule had come into play and in fact the
winners were the team with the least score: The Don‟t nos.
9
Members and made to feel very unwelcome. They have joined the Vale of
Aylesbury Society, at Quainton, where the response has been the complete re-
verse. To quote LBSC “nuf sed”.
ITEMS FOR SALE
Remember that members wishing to sell items may advertise in The Coupling,
on the board in the workshop or bring them to the occasional Bring & Buy Sale.
15 Reasons Why Alcohol Should Be Served At Work
1. It's an incentive for staff to show up.
2. It leads to more honest communications.
3. It reduces complaints about low pay.
4. Employees tell management what they think, not what they think they want
to hear.
5. It encourages car-pooling.
6. Increase job satisfaction because if you have a bad job, you don't care when
you are drunk.
7. It eliminates leave time because people would rather come to work.
8. It makes fellow employees look better.
9. It makes the cafeteria food taste better.
10. Bosses are more likely to hand out raises when they are drunk.
11. Salary negotiations are a lot more profitable and enjoyable.
12. Employees work later since there's no longer a need to relax at a bar after
work
13. It makes everyone more open with their ideas.
14. Eliminates the need for employees to get drunk only on their lunch break.
15. Employees no longer need coffee to sober up if they can stay drunk all day
long.
History in Harmony
10
STEAM BUS AND STEAM LORRY
As you will remember from the end of last season the steam vehicles were
showing signs of problems.
The bus had a water leak at the front of the boiler. The lagging was removed
and the bus was steamed when it was found that water and steam were leaking
from under the cylinder block.
The cylinder block and everything attached was removed. The block has since
been removed and new pistons made whilst new rings are awaited. The valve
linkages have been reamed and new pins made. Various other small jobs have
been done whilst the bus is in bits.
At the same time the lorry was found to have some tubes leaking so all the tubes
are to be changed. Meanwhile the valve linkages have been removed to ream
and repin.
Things have progressed some since this report was written and for an update
please speak to your reporter.
Peter Palmer
Bus minus block, Trunk Guides,
Valve Linkage—Front View. Bus minus block etc.—Side View
Bus Front View—Low Shot
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Lorry minus Valve Linkage - Lorry View
Overall View of Removed Bodywork
Bus Bits Stored Cylinder Block, Trunk Guides, and
Valve Linkage on bench in main
All Photographs—Peter Palmer