The Beginning .....
'The Club' was formed and started in April 2005, following the March 2005 Bramley Line meeting. I had asked if there was a model railway club in the Wisbech area, got enlightened that there was, but it had closed down many years ago and so thought about starting a new one up.
Later that same night I wrote letters to the then three local papers seeking members and a venue to meet in. Within two weeks, numerous enquiries and an offer from a very kind local businessman, Mark Thatcher, offered the use of his premises to meet and build layouts came in. Within three weeks of writing those letters, we held our very first meeting and elected three members to form the first committee. Even though only a few of us knew another person, we soon got talking, elected the first three for the committee and then started discussing how we should build the first layout. It was then decided by majority vote to build an end to end, rather than the round and round type.
Mark, who allowed us use of his property, very kindly gave us a quantity of timber to help build our baseboards and trestles to stand them on, so as a fellow railway enthusiast as well, Mark was keen to see a club form. For the first few weeks, some were constructing the framework for the baseboards. Within the first month, we had three baseboards ready for use, but then the trestles had to be made. After we had three of those done, some of us started to do track-laying to the design one of the members kindly drew up for us. For a little while there was the usual fault finding by one 'expert' member about the way things were being done, but pleased to say no arguements started, plus he is no longer a Member.
"the club is well and truly steaming ahead"
Since then, Membership has increased, so now the club is well and truly steaming ahead and with new Members joining us in the building of the first layout in 'OO' gauge.
In gratitude for use of Mark's property to meet, it was unanimously decided at an EGM we held in November 2005, to make him our Club President. Mark has backed us tremendously all the way and since got married to his very good Lady Flo, who is now also an Honourary Member. (See Marks 'G' Gauge Page)
If you are over 12 years of age, have a serious interest in building layouts of whatever gauge, or simply wish to know more, then come along and join us on a Monday evening at 19.00 hours in our Clubroom at a cost of Membership of £10 per year, plus £2 payable at each attendance.
All monies go to pay for items needed to build layouts, with the first one in 'OO' gauge now almost built already. If all goes well and following a succesful 'Exhibition' in 2008, we will start attending a few more, plus make a start on building another and second layout, but this time in 'N' gauge. If you are live within travelling distance of Wisbech and would like to join us, perhaps to learn a bit more about modelling or just enjoy running them, then please simply come along as a Guest for the first week, or send an E-mail to wismrc@hotmail.co.uk for any further details.
Brian Baylis
CHAIRMAN
The Commitee
Mark Thatcher - President
Brian Baylis - Chairman
Ron Pointer - Secretary
Martin Wickham - Treasurer & Webmaster
