We have started to think how the group might develop in the future.
Building a layout in two places- me doing that here at home and all members at our Redford meetings, is perhaps not the easiest way. Considerable time and effort is wasted each time in loading a car, unloading at the other end and doing the reverse after the meeting, with increase risk of damage plus reduction in time for modelling involving gluing or plasterwork.
At our last group meeting, I suggested that perhaps we should confine layout building to my home, but with members present and use our meetings at Redford for small self contained personal or group modelling projects.
Although most members were at our last meeting, further discussions are required., but I have warned Redford Hall of the possibility of change in 2020.
Meanwhile I will be looking at ways of rearranging my railway room, to accomodate members and layout building easily, whist we are on our current two month break. A trial session in September is a possibility.
Obviously if we have a mix of meeting venues, we could have more meetings per year at no extra cost to members, as meetings at my home will be free of hire charges.
Provisionally it looks possible to have up to say 20 sessions a year made up of 8 at Redford (third Wednesday in the month except January,July, August and December) and the balance at home on another Wednesday afternoon -possibly 2nd in every month.
Additionally we would have the flexibility to hold extra (or less) home meetings as required, if members aren’t available or if no or more work on the layout is required, without financial penalty or re-arranging bookings. On the current membership of 8 and similar support from Liphook U3A for hire charges, the new group subs for 2020/21 would decrease by £10 to £23 per annum.Expanding the group numbers will have to take into account the home sessions space accommodation.
