News Archive entries for December 2010

Here are the diary entries for this month. You can use the forward and backward links to see the next or previous months. Most photos taken before 2018 are small size. From 2018 onwards, most photos you see below will have a link to a full size image by clicking on the photo.

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Clan Article
28/12/2010
	The December edition of the excellent 'Best of British' magazine has a two page article on 'Clans', 72003 in particular, by member Colin Allen. Colin recalls a train spotting triumph with a much delayed twist, and it is illustrated with two photographs. Colin has naturally also drawn attention to 72010 'Hengist', so well done Colin! The magazine has other interesting steam orientated features, but there is hardly anything between the covers which will not delight any child of the 40's or 50's, it's simply stuffed to the gunwales with nostalgia.
Clan Article
28/12/2010
	The December edition of the excellent 'Best of British' magazine has a two page article on 'Clans', 72003 in particular, by member Colin Allen. Colin recalls a train spotting triumph with a much delayed twist, and it is illustrated with two photographs. Colin has naturally also drawn attention to 72010 'Hengist', so well done Colin! The magazine has other interesting steam orientated features, but there is hardly anything between the covers which will not delight any child of the 40's or 50's, it's simply stuffed to the gunwales with nostalgia.
Council of Management
28/12/2010
	Members of the SSLC were shocked to learn of the sudden resignation of their Chairman, and founder, Mr Paul Burns on 24 February 2011. This created a management vacuum at the head of the Company which aims to Build a BR Standard Class 6 'Clan' Pacific locomotive. Paul Burns was also the Chief Engineer and Treasurer of the project with his wife, Elaine, acting as Membership Secretary. It must be recorded that without Paul's vision and determination, the Project would not exist. The EGM minuted its gratitude to Paul and Elaine for all their effort and good work over the last 15 years, and wish them well in their future projects.With no handover plan or transitional arrangements in place, a small group of active, working members contacted all 112 contributing members of the Company and called an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) with the single motion to elect an Interim Council of Management (C of M). This motion was duly carried and agreed by those members present and by 48 proxy votes at the EGM, which was held at Barrow Hill Roundhouse on Saturday 7th May 2011. With a pledge to embrace open governance and greater accountability, the seven man C of M was duly elected from members of the project. Under the new Chairmanship of John Drew, the C of M now comprises an Engineering Officer, Finance Officer, Membership Secretary, and a General Secretary, the meeting elected 2 additional officers to assist as required. Each officer is accountable for their actions to the Membership via the new C of M board structure. There were no nominations for the post of Commercial Officer, so any interested parties should contact the Chairman. Said the new Chairman, 'The first priority for us all is to stabalise the Project and take it forward to new levels. With a robust and accountable management structure now in place, there is an urgent need to identify again, and this time take up, one of the options for a 'home base' for Hengist. Since vacating Swanage Works in 2006, the Project has been seeking a suitable construction base. Several sites have recently been offered and all will be considered carefully. The many and various parts and patterns acquired for the Project are stored at different locations around the country, the intention is now to consolidate all these parts at the 'home' location and then develop a structured build plan within a Project Management and Fiscal document that will be agreed and sanctioned by the members and strictly adhered to. That being said, we are in the process of building a locomotive and that must be continued as we are able at the present time.' On a positive note, the Project has no debts, outstanding loans or the like to service and is financially solvent. The developments of the last two months now draw a line under the achievements of the previous management of the Project, as the wave of new build momentum continues to flow through the steam preservation movement. John summed up by stating, 'This is where the 'New Build' gets a 'Rebuild'. It is the opportunity to take the project on to completion with fresh enthusiasm. I ask all members to join together to move this challenging and exciting project on, your C of M are going to be very busy over the 4 months before the next AGM reviewing all aspects of management and engineering to obtain a sound foundation for the future'. Photo by Ken Horan: Taken at Barrow Hill of Headboard made by Ivan Rumbelow.