The Yorkshire Group of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers Ltd

Annual General Meeting at 1pm

31 October 2009

Huddersfield Railway Modellers Ltd First Floor Stonefield Mills,

Tanyard Road, Milnsbridge, HD3 4MP

Directors: Andy Cooper [ Chairman and Company Secretary ], Stuart Currie, David Hill, David Mason, John Orson, Phil Thompson [ Treasurer ]

Web Manager- Andy Cooper

Minutes

Ø Apologies: Chris Cooper, Dave Wood, Barry Milner, Les Baker, Paul Howard, Tom Whaley,

Ashley Wattam, Brian Ives, Colin Wildman, Geoff Munday, Andy Wilkinson, Janet Jobber

Ø The Chairman welcomed everyone to the AGM and thanked HRM for their hospitality. The Chairman thanked John Orson ( retiring Chairman ) for all his contributions. John continues as a Director.

Principal activities

Trade commenced on 1 July 2007, when the assets and accumulated fund of the unincorporated club known as the Yorkshire Group of the 16mm Association were transferred to the Company.

The Company runs the Elsecar Garden Railway Show and promotes narrow gauge railway modelling in the scales of 14mm to 16mm to the foot in the Yorkshire region.

There were 964 visitors to the Elsecar Garden Railway Show on 27/28 September 2008, slightly fewer than in 2007. The Company has also organised a ‘New Year Steam-up’ for members and friends and its portable railway layouts have been operated at ‘Narrow Gauge North’, the 16mm Association National Garden Railway Show, G-Rail and the Northern Model Engineering Exhibition. Capital expenditure in the year has included an extension to “Dixon Green”, signs for both layouts, software for developing the website and trackwork for a new permanent layout in York. The 2009 Elsecar Garden Railway Show will take place on 26/27 September 2009.

The website www.yorkshire.16mm.org.uk is updated. The web manager acknowledges all the invaluable help and guidance given by Peter Bryant during the take-over period.

Formal business

Ø To receive the accounts for the period ended 30 June 2009 and the Directors’ report and the accountant’s report thereon

Vote : For : Proposed by Ted Burdge and seconded by John Orson : Unanimous

Ø Election of Directors for 2008-9 Andy Cooper and John Orson retire by rotation at the second annual general meeting (to be held on 31 October 2009) and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

Vote : For : Unanimous : Andy Cooper and John Orson to serve as Directors for a further three years.

Informal business

Ø Elsecar Garden Railway Show Report 2009 - Phil explained that the 2009 Show had been very successful financially. The Company had about £6500 in the bank. The Directors had decided to spend between £1600 and £3500. Visitor numbers were up compared with 2008 and we also had more traders.

The Directors had decided not to increase trader charges, nor increase admission charges in 2010.

David Mason ( Exhibitors ) had been asked to look into attracting a G Scale layout for the 2010 show.

Ø Directors’ proposal for use of Elsecar funds - Andy reported that the Directors recommended the purchase of a trailer for Dixon Green. £2600 had been allocated for the purchase. After discussion this action was agreed. Phil to source, purchase and fit out.

It was suggested that any new trailer should be large enough to accommodate Mount Dowd. Directors to decide.

Ø Brief update on “National “ 16mm activities - Phil reported that membership had reached 3200; a 14% increase over a twelve month period. Many new members had joined via the website. The proportion of new members under 65 was 65%, which was encouraging!! (Peter mentioned that when he joined there were 85 members!!) SMT had increased in size by 50% compared with two years ago. In the November SMT there will be an “Industrial Narrow Gauge Album” and a DVD with the February magazine. The 16mm National Garden Railway Show will feature, hopefully, Edward Sholto, and everyone is encouraged to bring their Hunslet locomotives to Stoneleigh in April for a 101 Hunslets extravaganza!!

Ø 16mm Events and Open days 2010 - Andy circulated the draft schedule. An updated schedule will be posted on the web soon. Ted agreed to find out the dates for Harrogate MEEX. It was agreed to continue with the “New to Open day” members’ event. Either Dave Webb or Michael Bastow, and Phil Thompson agree to host the events.

Ø Butane Gas supplies – David Mason and Andy Cooper has a supply of gas at 2.80 per can.

Ø AOB : Public Exhibition Safety on Mount Dowd and Dixon Green. After discussion Andy and John agreed to draw up and publish guidelines for members.

The meeting closed at 14.10.

Andy Cooper

Chairman and Company Secretary

2 November 2009