Welcome to GRES

Hello Folks

Sorry for the delay in sending this email. As we are now in October, the days have started to get shorter and darkness comes sooner each evening – and we put the clocks back one hour at the end of this month (Sunday 25 October).

For those who were unable to attend the GRES AGM 2026 on Thursday 17 September, Ella remains as the Chair and Ray Puddy as the Treasurer while Bryan Puxley decided not to re-stand for re-election, and we thank him for his valuable contribution to the GRES Committee as Secretary over the past three years.

We were pleased to welcome Mark Bathurst on Tuesday 1st September, who delivered an interesting presentation on the Medway Queen. Not only did we have slides, but we were treated to vintage film footage about its history, especially during World War 2, which was quite moving. Even with its illustrious history and a desire by so many that the Medway Queen should be saved, there were no guarantees, and so many times the future looked bleak to the point that it was sunk with only the top parts showing above the water. After so much rebuilding and much hard work, progress has been significant, and it now has a future – although so much still needs to be undertaken. It was good to see another healthy attendance at the meeting with those who attended certainly enjoying the presentation and supporting the sales table.

Many of us had a great time at the Tom Fletcher Annual Outing on Saturday 5th September. Thanks to Ella’s persuasive tactics, we had in excess of 30 people on the coach to the Mid-Hants Railway – and thanks to Clive Cook who put us in touch with JD Coaches, providing a luxurious ex-National Express coach with comfortable, reclining seats at a reduced cost. The weather was superb and an enjoyable time was had by all who attended, including Ann Watkins who we don’t get to see too often. I have attached two photos – one of the coach and the group photo at Alresford station.

The GRES AGM 2026 took place on Thursday 17 September, with a good turnout of members who welcomed the reports reflecting another successful year for the Society. As Treasurer, Ray mentioned that GRES is reasonably financially sound at present but we should be prepared for a further increase to the annual subscription at some point over the next two years – as costs greatly increase while much of our income has reduced.

Thank you to all who completed the GRES Questionnaire. It was pleasing to see that no one who completed it were neither ‘very dissatisfied’ or ‘dissatisfied’ with any of our activities, and many of those who selected ‘neutral’ did so because they had not attended those activities. Also, overwhelmingly, the majority would like to retain two meetings on most months, on the days we currently use with a request not to start much earlier than at present.

As mentioned, the post of GRES Secretary was vacated and yours truly stepped forward, so I am now the new GRES Secretary. Iain MacTaggart will continue his excellent work with the website/Facebook site and our exhibitions, while the Modelling Group will determine if he will continue as their leader. James Willis will assist with GRES Meetings and John Denbury will assist with GRES Outings. If you would like to assist on the GRES Committee, as a full committee member or co-opted for specific projects, please let me know.

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/

There are still a few of our glorious Southern-green liveried GRES wagons in OO Gauge to celebrate 50 years of GRES model railway exhibitions remaining. Remember, 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.

Saturday 24th October – The date of our Model Railway Exhibition for 2026. Northfleet School for Girls are unable to host our usual exhibition at the beginning of November 2026, so this year we are holding a one-day exhibition at St George’s Church Hall, Church Street, Gravesend, DA11 0DJ. Put the date in your diary if you have not already done so. More details to follow on a separate email. GRES Exhibition 24th October 2026 – Welcome to GRES

Any assistance that you can give at the 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

As this is already a long email, I will send separate emails about our Model Railway Exhibition (on Saturday 24 October) and other forthcoming model railway exhibitions during October.

I look forward to seeing some of you on Tuesday 6th and/or on Thursday 22nd October . Please ask if you have any questions.

Regards

George

George Marcar MBE

GRES Secretary