8th December 2014
Hi all,
Firstly it is with sadness I have to report the death of Philip Holmes a member of our group. Due to increasing severity of his illness he was never able to attend. I have already expressed our commiserations to his wife, on the group’s behalf.
R.I.P. Philip.
Our attendance to this meeting was still lower than normal but with Christmas drawing near and some members already in the UK, along with the various functions that seem to come all on the same day(s), I can understand why.
This month we went back to our normal round robin chat with with an update on the foreign railway system that has opted to run as a national service(s). Various other topics were forthcoming to which we all could and did comment on.
Also there was an update on our abortive trip to Altea and the 100years exhibition of the Alicante-Altea line. For those of you who could not come on the Tuesday trip, on arrival in Altea we found that the exhibition and engine shed was only open on Sundays throughout November, not open all November as the various papers reported. It only goes to show that you must not take what is written in the press as gospel! I for one will double check next time. Sorry folks…….
Having said that, I did return on the following Sunday and took the tour of the exhibitions in the Marina Hoteland the engine shed (which housed a superb HO railway layout of Altea station and sheds etc / see gallery). In the near future I will compile a DVD of the hundred or so HD photos and film clips I took during my Sunday visit. This we could watch during one of our forthcoming meetings.
Next month we have our (now revised for January only) normal meeting on the 19th January and the open meeting on the 28th January at the Parador Hotel.
Plans are in hand for a working basic layout, a large screen for videos and a display board for photos etc.etc. So we will need some photos of your layouts for the board, could you please bring these on the 19th January.
Our meeting continued with seasonal fare with Mince Pies, Chocolate Sponge cake slices, supported by the usual biscuits, tea, coffee etc. Thanks Deanna.
We were then treated to a home grown DVD of various preserved railways presented by David in his own style. This was very enjoyable.
Because of time constraints the DVD had to be cut short but still there is always another day.
Peter (S).
