Hello Folks
Happy Easter! I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the warmer weather.
We had two interesting and entertaining meetings during March. On Tuesday 3rd, Bob Gibbs told us about the luck of KoKura and how a combination of different factors during World War 2 prevented the second nuclear bomb from being dropped on that area by the American air force and, with other complications, ultimately it was dropped on Nagasaki. And, on Thursday 19th, Bryan Puxley told us about the inception of the North Downs Steam Railway and its short life, before the tea break, then afterwards he presented a summary of his fascinating career over 45 years.
David Hanger has kindly shared the LRS newsletter for March, which is attached for your entertainment.
Here’s another reminder to invite your friends and family to subscribe to our new and improved Facebook site. If you have yet to do so, we would also like you to please subscribe and spread the word: https://www.facebook.com/people/GRES-Gravesend-Railway-Enthusiasts-Society/61552508150631/
We have less than 20 of our glorious Southern-green liveried GRES wagons in OO Gauge to celebrate 50 years of GRES model railway exhibitions remaining. These include an individually numbered certificate signed by Ella plus a brief history of our exhibitions and would make a great present for a railway enthusiast or someone with an interest in Gravesham 😊. While the standard price is £19.99, current GRES members can obtain their wagon(s) for only £14.99 each.
GRES meetings:
Tuesday 7th April – David Hanger returns to deliver another an interesting talk, this time titled A ticket to ride. What is it about, well there’s only one way to find out! So, join us at our usual venue of the Emmanuel Church Hall, 55 Windmill Street, Gravesend (from 7.45pm)
Thursday 23rd April – Tony Riley, will return to deliver part two of his talk 200 years of train travel – 100 notable events. Join us at our usual venue of the Emmanuel Church Hall, 55 Windmill Street, Gravesend (from 7.45pm).
Future GRES date for your diaries:
Saturday 18th April – GRES Open Day, Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham, ME3 7JL (Saturday: 10am – 4pm). GRES will be located in the small hall while another group will be located in the main hall.
Tuesday 5th May – Having swapped with Tony Riley, I will now be delivering part two of my talk It’s time for a PEP talk on this date. Join us at our usual venue of the Emmanuel Church Hall, 55 Windmill Street, Gravesend (from 7.45pm).
Sunday 21st June – GRES Family Day, Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham, ME3 7JL (Saturday: 10am – 4pm). Adult – £3 (including up to two free U16s), Family – £6 (including up to four free U16s). Many layouts, trade stands plus other displays. GRES Family day 21st June 2026 – Welcome to GRES
Saturday 24th October – This is the date of our Model Railway Exhibition for 2026. As many of you know, Northfleet School for Girls are unable to host our usual exhibition at the beginning of November 2026, so this year we will be holding a one day exhibition at St George’s Church Hall, Church Street, Gravesend, DA11 0DJ. Put the date in your diary and note the attached flyer. More details over the coming months. GRES Exhibition 24th October 2026 – Welcome to GRES
Any assistance that you can give at the GRES Family Day or GRES Model Railway Exhibition would be gratefully accepted – such as: monitoring the car park, looking after the pay desk, stewarding. If you are able to help, even for a short time, please advise me or Iain MacTaggart at a GRES meeting or on exhibition.manager@gres.org.uk
For those who like their model railway exhibitions, toyfairs and bus rallies, please note the following during April:
Saturday 11th – East Kent Model Railway Society Exhibition, Elham Village Hall, High Street, Elham, nr Folkestone, CT4 6SX (Saturday: 10am – 4pm). Adults – £6, Children 5-15 – £1, Family – £12. Many layouts, trade stands plus other displays. Parking, refreshments and disabled access available
Saturday 11th – South Eastern Bus Festival, Kent Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF (10am – 4pm). Adults – £16 (in advance – £13), Accompanied 5-14s – £4. Many buses, classic cars, trade stands plus other displays of interest. Parking, refreshments and disabled access available.
Saturday 18th – Maidstone Toyfair, Lockmeadow, Maidstone, ME16 8LW (Saturday: 9am – 3pm). Adults – £4. Many trade stands plus other displays.
I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday 7th April. Please ask if you have any questions.
Regards
George Marcar (for GRES Committee)
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