The Chairman's Report.
Hello everyone. We have Prime Minister number three, a new chancellor and Christmas just round the corner. What could be better? What a year it has been.
One good thing, Covid is starting to ease, so we have been able to have shows and go to shows, which is what we as a club are all about. Well will have to see what the new year is going to bring. Let’s hope that things continue to progress and we can operate as a club, like we have done this year.
The new building over the Loco Hoist is well underway and looking good. We hope to see the new generator in the near future. So track wise things are looking good.
Mick W our secretary has informed me that he wishes to stand down at the coming AGM. He will be sorely missed as he has done a sterling job over the past years, so now we need someone to step forward and fill his shoes, don’t be shy.
Don’t forget the next meeting on the 7th December is our Christmas meeting and all members need to bring a raffle prize for the big draw.
I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I hope you all keep well.
The Secretary's Report.
Another year has come and gone, much better than the last two years, but to me, a bit disappointed in the turn out of some of the running days. Perhaps next year will be different, well, it certainly will be from my point of view, at the next AGM on the 1st March 2023, I will be standing down from my duties as Secretary, Vice Chairman, Raffle organiser and tea boy. I will have done seven years and because of covid, a couple too many, perhaps. I have thoroughly enjoyed the job, even though I would pack my engine in the trailer and then take it home not even having had time to run it. That is not to say that it has been a great time being the Honorary Secretary, but I am now 80, less to do and need more time with my family. I hope there is someone out there who will take on the challenge. Come on, you can do it.
I would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and Happy New Year. mw
Humanity
Is there such a word? Well several of us were at the field when OMG what is that swimming in the pond. Well believe this, a “Hare” had probably fell in and tried to get out. We do have a couple of pieces of wood for animals and frogs mostly, but this Hare could not work it out. So along came Dave M thinking he might have to jump in, but the hare swam close to the side and Dave whipped it out by it’s ear and it lived to fight another day, Well done Dave, you saved its life.
When this was on Dropbox someone phoned Geoff B and asked if this was a new Geoff E model. Rather life like don’t you think.?
Bringing the materials for the heavy lift cover
We have purchased the material for the frame of the building and the roof trusses. All needs cleaning and painting.
The cover over the Heavy lift will be erected to cover an area of approximately 42 square metres and will include a covered area for Traction Engine testing under cover. Financed by a £800 grant received from West Suffolk Council.
IMAGES BELOW:
1. Posts, just leaving sellers premises
2. Roof trusses, having arrived at the track
3. Geoff E grinding off the bits we do not need.
4. We will probably use these angles on the ends.
5. The 8 pipes are laid out to be cleaned.
6. Painted ready to erected round the Heavy lift and engine pit.
There is a lot of setting out to make sure every thing is square. No problem using Norman H 3, 4, 5,
system it will be square to a mm. Some more pictures showing where we are up to, to date.
1. Set out and first hole.
2. First post installed.
3. 3 to go, this day was an awful wet day, but we were up for it.
4. 8 posts and 1. Set out and first hole. 2. First post installed. 3. 3 to go, this day was an awful wet day, but we were up for it. 4. 8 posts and the angles ready to take the roof trusses.
5. Because the trusses are rather awkward we decided to take them apart and assemble them, piece by piece. 6 . Preparing the first two trusses.
Preparing the site for the new generator
As I have said, this is not new but new to us, a much bigger and powerful generator, when we have it running we can advise the power. At present the current generator struggles when you are welding 10mm material, and this came up and was free; just needed to collect it, so it was a no brainer. Several sights have been proposed but the position selected we think will be excellent. We might have to enlarge the area, but we will decide when it arrives.
A few pictures to show where we are.