These minutes were attached to the newsletter. It was a simple double sided A4 sheet, and gives an insight to the thinking of the society members at the time.
Apologies for absence
George Binns, Jon Elphick, Howard Strongitharm, Chris Suiters
Minutes of the last meeting
Agreed as drafted.
Matters arising
None.
Bernard Wright and Charlie Pyne
Ray Bellingham mentioned that one of the society's members, Bernard Wright had passed away in February after a long period of illness. Mention was made of his long standing involvement with various railway preservation societies, and the Maunsell Locomotive Society in particular. The recent death of Charlie Pyne, another loyal supporter of the society was mentioned.
Membership Secretary's Report
Rodney Packham said that membership was stable at around 350 members. There had been a steady flow of new members from the loco department, and the society's article in Railway World had attracted a new member.
Treasurer's Report
Steve Pilcher reviewed the financial statements and confirmed that the change of wording in the auditor's report was due to them using a new text for such reports. He also produced accounts for the first six months to 30 June 1993 which showed a healthy income of over £5,000. He confirmed that all the loans had been repaid and that there were cash balances of around £2,000.
Adoption of the Accounts / election of the auditors
Adrian Pinkess proposed and George Nixon seconded the adoption of the accounts, agreed unanimously. Likewise messrs King and Taylor were re-appointed as auditors, unanimously.
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Chairman's Report
Ray Bellingham reported that 847 had been running well, with just a few minor problems. The restoration, completed in November 1992, had taken about nine years and cost in excess of £50,000.
U class 1618 was running well, having covered the highest mileage of any loco on the Bluebell Railway in 1992. Q class 541 was out of traffic pending 10 year overhaul by the Bluebell Railway.
Next project
Ray Bellingham said that considerable thought had gone into choosing the next project. There were two possible engines to work on, U class 1638 and S15 class 830. Of the two, 1638 was more complete and in better condition. It had been purchased privately and donated to the Bluebell Railway. The railway were now content to offer the loco to the society on a fifty year loan, provided the society undertook the restoration work. Virtually all the brass fittings were to hand, the chassis was in reasonable condition, a suitable tender chassis was on site and most of the motion was available. The boiler did require some fairly major work to the outside of the firebox, but could be undertaken in the Bluebell's workshops. New tubes, flues and elements would be required, along with a tender tank and forging for missing coupling rods.
George Nixon mentioned that a separate account had been set up whereby funds from re-cycling the newspapers could be allocated to the loco. Once the purchase of the former Schools class tender had been paid off, he said this source of funds could go to the society.
David Jones mentioned that he had been obtaining quotes etc for making new frames for a King Arthur, Mike Carroll had produced a drawing. Ray Bellingham said that the Bluebell Railway were drafting an agreement to allow the society to undertake the restoration of 830 in due course. The loco had originally only been accepted by the railway as a source of spares for other locos and a new agreement was therefore required.
Election of Directors
The directors all stood down. There were no other nominations to stand as director, the existing directors were therefore re-elected en block, unanimously. Proposed Malcolm Dunstan, seconded Peter Cox.
Any other business
None.
The meeting closed at 11.15 approx.