I have just heard from David Gray who gave us that very interesting talk on the MV Balmoral. He advises me that they have been  given a financial award.

For those interested follow the link http://www.heritagesteamers.co.uk/balmoral/news.htm

Looks like excellent news for this worthwhile project

Derek

Chairman

The sun is shining and no one has asked if we are nearly there yet!

The sun had gone in now 🙁 but Quenton is happy, he picked up a computer magazine at the services.

I enjoyed last nights film on the above ship and have been looking on the web for further details. The engines were built by Grenaa Diesels in Denmark who are still in business. If you look at www.grma.dk at the bottom right of their home page is a photo of Balmoral. Mathway Marine who’s name was on the steering gear have now been incorporated into Parsons Marine. They are also still in business see www.parsonsmathwaymarine.co.uk. Finally if you liked the music in the harbour festival at the end then www.jigbadwolf.co.uk is for you, under the “sounds” button there are snippets of about a dozen of their tunes you can listen to. Happy browsing. David Ward.

Dear All.

I have arranged a wonderful evening for Wednesday 7th January.
A Mr Geof Hale who is a BBC camera operator has made a 50 minute film of the Restoration of the MV Barmoral in Bristol Docks.
He will show the film and talk about the restoration.
Now I know it is late in the planning, but we need to get a good turnout that evening, I have amended the events page but for those without email or web access perhaps we can all talk to any member we meet over the next few weeks to fill the room.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Owen

Dear Sir,

I have a complaint.  I’m learning to live with it, but that’s a different matter.

No, I wish to complain in the strongest possible terms about over-exposure of one of the club’s members in the Ashton Court Miniature Railway 2014 leaflet.  Now I have to concede, reluctantly, that Arthur Clark is probably less likely to frighten away the children than some of our other members, but I ask is this sufficient justification for him to become the double-page centre-fold in our leaflet?  Whatever next I ask?  A BSMEE Calendar Boys special featuring Arthur astride a different loco every month?  Surely Arthur can’t be the only good looking member in the club?  Although I am scratching around trying to think who else has enough of their own teeth left and a boyish smile to catch the ladies’ eyes…  Oh, well… we can’t all be George Clooney I suppose.

Your disgustedly etc. etc.

PS.  It is April 1st isn’t it?

Well, we’ve got there. The building is basically complete. There are a few thinks that still need to be done or rectified but the shell is complete. As such this will probably be the last of the weekly updates, maybe when some of the interior is fitted out?

Nearly here for the basic building. Concrete pump arrived at dawn on Wednesday, unfortunately the concrete didn’t until 9am. Unfortunately the camera batteries didn’t like working at that time or perhaps it was just the cold. Still the floor and the front apron is now complete. Work continues on the gables but the ridge tiles have been completed. All the drains are connected to the soakaway and the tiles along the valley gutter need trimming-back. Hopefully complete by the end of week 12. Of course our week will still need completing; painting the walls, electrics, lighting, water/sink, the inlaid track in the floor, door cladding and probably much more I have forgotten.

Week 10 and very little has changed from last week, although the roof tiles have been completed, just the ridge tiles to go. Gable ends still need to be finished. Formwork for the track in the concrete floor has been trialled prior to the membrane and concrete floor being laid. Some concern has been raised over the amount of water seen below the valley gutter on Friday, awaiting confirmation that the valley has been sealed. Photos below:-

Morning all, sorry late again this week.

One side of the roof has now been tiled and with lots of shifting help from the Friday gang, the main doors have been installed.

Sorry for the delay if anyone out there has been following theses photos, weekend taken up by the children; still. Last weeks photos added below; and yes for the eagle eyed, the date stone does say 2014!

Alan Hooper