AGM + Members’ Presentations

October’s monthly meeting was the Covid delayed 2021 AGM.  Attended by a good number of members political matters were quickly dealt with.  Of significance existing committee members were confirmed as officers to serve until the next AGM whilst the Treasurer described the healthy financial position of the Branch.  Post lockdown attendances at Branch functions were reported as very encouraging.  The on-going entertainment comprised of presentations by several of the attending members.  David Wilkinson led the way, nicely illustrating a recent visit to the Isle of Man which was next followed by Treasurer David Beeken who put together a fair number of monochrome images taken by J. W. Hague in the 1940’s-50’s.  These excellent pictures largely concentrated on LNER steam north of York whilst forays into Midland territory produced a number of photographs of engines on and around Hellifield shed.  Keith Leah broadened the scope of the material when presenting a “Scottish Slideshow” illustrating the work of railwayman D. J. Simpson.  Largely comprising of steam day happenings actions were extended to show early day Scottish dieselisation.  Tom Ickringill, focussing on main line steam, showed a significant number of steam specials on his widespread travels around the country.  Diesel traction was not ignored and a USA adventure showing steam logging motive power on the Cass Scenic Railway complemented the presentation.  Secretary Bob Green closed the evening showing a broad selection of different locomotives taken on main line steam excursions utilising Great Western and Southern Region engines.

Thanks to all of the presenters for generating such a varied and interesting evening of internally derived entertainment.