NEWSHEET NO 1 - JULY 2006 (Click HERE for a Word format downloadable version) ALSAGER RAILWAY ASSOCIATION NEWS SHEET No.1 JULY 2006  Editorial - Welcome to the first news sheet, for many, many years. Firstly an apology, this issue should have been out in May, but unfortunately the lucky volunteer had technical problems with their PC, so I will have a go. Hopefully we can produce 4 or so news sheets per year, probably at key times, e.g. before our exhibition, in order to keep you informed about association activities.  Everyone will receive the news sheet and anyone can write items for it, this is your club and its success and survival depends on the association’s members, so if you want to say some thing lets hear from you about what’s right and what’s wrong, as long as I don’t have to make too much use of the blue pencil. Do you read the notice boards, or is this a better forum? Why is there a problem in covering the tea duty rota? Would you be interested in working parties? would you organise or participate in social events, trips or outings? Let’s hear from you. Correspondence can be handed in to me at the club, or posted to – 33, Dane Close, Alsager, ST7 2HZ.     Iain.Chippendale.  Chairman’s Message   -   Access for All. Last year the Association received a grant from the Lottery Fund in relation to the provision of security measures and improved access to our Club House. You will be aware that during 2005 new security gates were installed and the Club House fitted with an intruder alarm system. Work has commenced on a loading platform and disabled access ramp to the building. Work will be undertaken during late spring and early summer, the results will be that people with disabilities should be able to access our premises with very little difficulty and in addition the loading and unloading of layouts for exhibition should be easier. Further details will appear on the notice board in respect of this particular project, and your offers of help will be appreciated.    Norman Jones.  Working parties – To find out what is coming up in July, please contact John Cox, the building manager, if you want to help out on hut maintenance or access ramp work. Rubble or infill may be needed, if you are getting rid of same, please speak to John. Web Site. – Do you know the association has a web site set up by member Roy Yates; this is a service for members. The web address is www.alsagerrailwayassociation.co.uk . There is also an 0 gauge group website run by Phil Harding, that is www.hassellharbourbridge.com  have a look.  Treasurers Note – The Association membership is holding up very well in 2006, we now have 60 members counting all members of those holding family membership. Although we have lost 3 members from 2005 through non-renewals we have more than made up for those through 8 new members in 2006, a warm welcome to them all. If you have not received a welcome pack and association constitution please ask. This level of membership puts the association on a healthy financial footing, and also promises much modelling output. Iain Chippendale.  N gauge News – On Show.  The N gauge layout has recently had outings to both the Stourbridge and Stockport model railway exhibitions. Favourable comments from organisers and members of the public have been received, and hopefully the reputation of the club enhanced. Our next trip is to   Loughborough in September, where hopefully information regarding our own exhibition at Crewe will be promoted.       Junior OO – A disappearing Act. The junior oo layout is disappearing rapidly. However, the good news is that it will shortly reappear again. The reason for dismantling this layout is that the junior members of our club have decided to make their layout mobile, so that hopefully they will be able to take it along to exhibitions. So here’s hoping that our juniors will be able to display their work at our November 2007 exhibition scheduled for the Civic Centre in Alsager.  Tea Duty -   Forthcoming Friday rota is:- 7 July               Daniel Keen     |           4 August           Norman Jinks 14 July             John Gregg       |           11 August         Fred Johnson 21 July             Paul Hardy       |           18 August         Norman Jones 28 July             Helen Hardy     |           25 August         Mick Martindale