‘Members’ Presentations’, 2nd December 2025
2nd December 2025 Meeting
December saw our traditional Members' Presentations and Mince Pies meeting.
Only six contributors this year, but all the usual high quality.
- Dennis Clarke showed us the last years of the HST. Great photos taken around the country, with the emphasis on the West Country, where Dennis has family connections.
- Rob Freeman's topic was unusual workings around Berkhamsted in 2025, showing what a great variety can be seen on the WCML.
- Budding young master photographer Harry Nethercoat showed us his travels this year, in particular his forays into the West Country, Wales and Scotland.
- Geoff Plumb's theme was Clag! Extreme steam at home and around the world. Geoff is a well-renowned photographer, but even he surpassed himself here!
SAR Class 25 Condenser 4-8-4 No. 3466 tries its best to blot out the landscape as it heads north from Houtkraal on the line from De Aar to Kimberley. Electric loco No E827 is in tow immediately behind the tender, though largely obscured! Sunday 3rd September 1972. Image Credit: Geoff Plumb.
Then came the interval and many thanks are due to Lizzie Davidson for providing her usual lovely Christmas spread of sausage rolls and mince pies etc.
- Geoff Brocket showed us his various sightings this year: he goes to great lengths to find different locations for his photos, with excellent results.
- Finally, Bernie Holland took us back to the past with some well-researched rare vintage black and white photos of the area around Cheltenham and Gloucester (including the now preserved GWSR), taken from the 1860s to the 1960s.
A very merry time was had by all!
Rob Freeman, Branch Committee Member