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Site updated 7th April 2024
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ABOUT US
We meet once every month. Our meetings feature a presentation with photo slides or digital images, and occasionally cine or video films. We regularly attract high-quality speakers from around the country, many of whom regularly have their photographs published in the national railway magazines. Also, on some evenings, our Members present their own photographs.
The Society was formed in early 1977 and attracts members from all walks of life. These include professional railwaymen, rail enthusiasts, railway photographers, and those who just wish to re-live the golden era of railways – whether that be steam, or diesels, or even electric. Of course we don't just restrict it to the UK, but cover subjects worldwide. And we can also include something more recent!
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The cost of Membership is normally £18 per year, with raffle prize each meeting for £1.
OUR MEETINGS
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month. Unless otherwise stated, all meetings are held in the (upstairs) Duncan Gray function room at the Conservative Club, Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1QX (our Society hire the room for private function purposes and has no direct connection to the Conservative Party). This is in central Weston, opposite the Odeon Cinema . Meetings start at 8pm, and usually finish around 10.15pm having included a break when refreshments can be purchased from the bar downstairs.
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Any non Members who would like to come along will need to contact Lionel Jones (or any existing Member) in advance. Lionel can be contacted by telephone 01934 628289. For security reasons, you cannot be admitted unless you are accompanied by an existing Member. You are very welcome to attend to "try us out" or to see a particular meeting for a one-night admission of just £3, payable on the evening. Of course, we hope that you'll like what you see and will want to join us!
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NEXT MEETING
2nd January : Chris Perkins
A Bit of Everything, Everywhere
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6th February : Ian Chancellor
Rhine to Ramsbottom, Berlin to Birkenhead
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5th March : Simon Hopkins
"I'll See What I Can Find to Show YOU!"
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2nd April : Ian Bennett
Veteran and Vintage
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7th May : Ian Boskett
Another Box of Allsorts
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4th June : Mike and Paul Jones
Railway Images from Two Generations
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2nd July : Paul Chancellor
'Colourail' Journey Number 11
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6th August : Members night
Members' Slides & Digital Images
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3rd September : Wayne Finch
Spotting With a 'Spotmatic'
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1st October : Mike Dodd
The 'Paul Riley' Tribute Show - Part 2
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5th November : Annual General Meeting
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3rd December : Lionel Jones
35 Years of Photographing Railways - Pt. 4
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Tuesday May 7th commencing 8pm
Ian Boskett : Another Box of Allsorts
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Most of the themes for our talks can be taken from the title, but not this time. We won't know what to expect until the evening. But, it will certainly be mostly trains and almost certainly be somewhat historic.
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Ian Boskett always provides an interesting and entertaining evening, with excellent pictures to see. Come along for a very enjoyable evening, with every chance that you will learn something new.
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Anyone wishing to come to our Meetings or, indeed, join our Society, then you will be welcome tonight - just £3 on the night, or £18 to join.
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OTHER ACTIVITIES
Regrettably, now we no longer arrange trips for the Society alone, but can join trips arranged jointly with other Societies and Organisations. Last year a trip to the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults was arranged which was excellent.
We're hopeful that there will be sufficient numbers for a trip to the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash. The date of Wednesday 19th June has been proposed (Trip Managed separately - contact details Warwick Hulme : warwick.hulme@btinternet.com or contact Stephen Ash (society webmaster) rail@rsash.com or 01934-522735)
We are still hopeful of arranging a joint minibus trip to the Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum, and also a tour of the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead railway.
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During the Summer, our local coach company Bakers Dolphin, often arrange trips to our local preserved railways; these have included old favourites as well as newer ones a bit further afield. Recent destinations have included the Severn Valley, Great Central, Bluebell, Isle of Wight and Swanage railways.
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The visit to Emborough Quarry was our evening outing in Summer 2000, when the Society was lucky to have a visit to John Blatchford’s privately-owned narrow-gauge railway at the closed Emborough Quarry near Wells. Here Peter Carr, Dave Hobbs, our current Chairman Chris Batten, Mike Jarvis plus John Trenchard survey an ex MoD Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Mechanical built in 1956, moved out of the shed for us. A mile and a quarter of track was laid at the former engineering works in the closed quarry.
At the Gartell Railway (Templecombe) visit on 1st July 2008. Tim Henwood enjoys a footplate ride aboard the Gartell’s No. 6 `Mr G`. During the visit a few of our Members received instruction as Trainee Signalmen (Roger Pavey, Andy Spearman, Gordon Hobbs, Steve Sands, and Roy Patterson were amongst those in attendance)
Photos by Ian Chancellor
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Visit to Emborough Quarry
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2024 PROGRAMME
Visit to Gartell Railway