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2008 Reunion 
Inside the Main Venue
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Read more about apprentice training exercises and view videos of the model machines in action.
Those present were...
Committee Members:
Ray Tuthill (President & Heritage), Frank Evans (Chair), Peter Hone (Vice-Chair & AW Ed), Russell Otto (Gen Sec), Robin Budden (Treasurer)
Members:
Peter Arnould, Norman Bacon, Gordon Baylie, Bob Betteridge, Graham Birchmore, Peter Blake, Lee Bold, Don Bootle, Chris Brooks, Phil Champney, Peter Chapman, Roy Charlton, John Collier, John Fox, Jim Franklin, Terry Gibson, Ashley Hambridge, Andy Harris, Peter Hazelden, John Healey, Ron Heathcote, Pete Hollings, John Hone, John James, Alan Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Tony Kennard, Mervyn Lemon, Bob Logue, Phil Maffia, Arthur McAlinden, Philip Mitchell, Terry Purdie, John Pyle, Steve Robson, Iain Rose, Bertie Savill, Ken Scarff, John Stevens, Martin Stratford, Peter Turner, Ken Vincent, Bill Wells, Dave Whitlock, Ken Wilks, Ken Wood
The Reunion of 2008 has to be described as a very successful and enjoyable day for the 53 members and their guests who attended the Annual Reunion.
Prior to the Reunion and for a variety of reasons, the decision was taken that the usual display of engineering models would not be assembled but rather we would display some of the newest and latest acquisitions: To view the articles on display just click on the name in the above list.
The meal at the NECC was prepared this year by their new chef Ros Lamattina, who without doubt produced a meal of the highest standard and deservedly received the heart-felt congratulations of the gathered diners. After savouring the starters and feasting on the main course we were left wondering how much better can it get - and then out came the dessert trolley. Offering a huge selection of mouth-watering dessert options, Ros charmed the ladies by encouraging them to give in to their more feminine side and save that small portion of appetite for the sweetest part of the meal. A gastronomic experience that lasted well past the scheduled start time for the Annual General Meeting - but nobody seemed to mind at all.
With the dining over and the tables cleared, the Association President Ray Tuthill called the members to order and the meeting got under way but it didn't take long for the words in the President's Opening Address to add a sombre tone to the meeting.
Ray briefly outlined how through unforeseen personal circumstances he was now forced to step out of the limelight and play a much more passive role which meant that his activities on the committee, would necessarily be curtailed. He would however continue as President and Heritage Officer, but be less active.
He also explained how the workload experienced by the General Secretary was now excessive and added to the tasks of Membership Secretary and Website Manager was proving to be too much for one person to manage: New committee members had to come forward to share the load.
Fortunately several members did put themselves forward as committee members and the major diffculties that had faced the committee, should now be resolved throughout the summer months.
Once again the Association is extremely grateful and deeply indebted to Ken Dee for all his hard work and effort resulting in his excellent restoration work done on the Charlie Haynes mini-Toolset. The tiny set of tools mounted in a wooden case had suffered from the ravages of time and acid erosion despite previous efforts by Charlie's widow Jeanne Marples to preserve it. Nonetheless, Ken isn't easily thwarted and he set about bringing it all back to its former glory. To look at it now you would never guess the state he (Ken) first saw it in.
As the meeting was drawn to a close at around 5.15pm the members said their goodbyes to each other and added little comments like - "see you next year". We certainly hope so...