14 Comments

1. 

   Keith Edwards on 25 March, 2014 at 13:36

   It was excellent. Lots of very scenic layouts and a really good variety of trade support. For next year, if we have a video competition, we need to find a quieter area. People were using the seating area arranged for viewing as a general seating area and most were eating and chatting, not viewing the videos. Judging was very difficult as the judges could not hear the dialogue on some of the videos. I think Tag had similar problems with the general noise in the hall when he did his demo.

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2. 

   Richard Haydon on 25 March, 2014 at 16:50

   This was my first visit to G RAIL and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a good selection of trade stands and layouts and I would like to thank the organisers for their hard work in putting together such an excellent event. This was also my first AGM and I would like to thank the committee for running a smooth and efficient meeting and for all the hard work they do to make the G Scale Society such a great club to belong to.

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3. 

   David Goldsworthy on 27 March, 2014 at 11:53

   Excellent show. Good blend of layouts and trade stands with plenty of room to get around and see everything. Congratulations and thanks to everyonr involved in the organisation and running of the day.

   David Goldsworthy 2535

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4. 

   Roy Holt on 27 March, 2014 at 13:19

   As usual this year we went up in a small group but once again without the ladies. Both of which are G-Scale owners and operators. We four who attended, thoroughly enjoyed the show with the usual caveats that have already been commented on. Appalling seating arrangements and in particular Tags location which made his little demo very difficult for both him and those straining their ears to hear what was said.

   Oh yes we reported back to the ladies that their main reason for non attendance, the toilets and catering, were both as dire as usual, not that we inspected the ladies toilets of course but the gents were not far short of a disgrace. No doubt the financial controllers will not be accompanying us to the show next year either, which judging by the comments bandied about amongst our group who attended this year, will probably be the last too if no improvements are made to the facilities provided to those of us who travel quite some way at a not inconsiderable expense to support the event.

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   • 

     Gerry Pedder on 30 March, 2014 at 19:51

     I fully agree that we did not locate Tag’s demonstration correctly. When planning the layout of the halls we were not aware of the heating was going to be so intrusive. We did try to switch the heating off prior to the start of his demonstration without success.
     I also apologise for the lack of general seating around the halls, we clearly miss calculated how many chairs were needed and we will ensure next year far more chairs are provided.
     In respect to the comments made about the state of the toilets, we will be making your dissatisfaction known to the showground’s management and see if anything can be done to improve the facilities for next year’s show.
     Gerry Pedder
     Chairman

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     • 

       Roy Holt on 17 April, 2014 at 23:49

       Thanks Jerry. Having organised exhibitions myself I am well aware of the problems associated with venue managements. It’s very sad when exhibition managers and volunteers work so very hard to organise an event, only to be let down by facilities and services that are entirely beyond their control. Seating requirements is indeed a very difficult matter to estimate accurately in advance. At Peterborough’s East Of England Showground this year it was just a matter of fork lifting piles of folding chairs from storage to the halls in use, but site management have the staff and equipment available on the day to do so at very short notice.
       Nice to see the G Scale Soc and G traders so well represented at Peterborough this year.

       Roy Holt.

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   • 

     Phil Vose on 30 March, 2014 at 22:29

     I thought the show was great. The cafe was buisy but one of the staff
     said that there was a seating area upstairs, we did not check it out as we had a
     take out.
     Thanks for work put in by the commitee. Good job.

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5. 

   Derek Wall on 30 March, 2014 at 20:26

   this was my first G Scale show and the committee must be given a big hand in what was a very good show, very open and lots to see, yes the demo and video area want to be in an area which is away from the normal visitors, they lack of purchasing food needs to be looked at, while the resident café coped well their was a lack of seating as for the toilets when they had to be used they were in a reasonable condition so if they had become in such a state as Mr Holt mentioned then the only people using them were people visiting the show????

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6. 

   Julian Butcher on 31 March, 2014 at 16:59

   My first visit to the show, in any capacity, and I was pleased with the reception to my layout (Bideford Light Railway). Though I know it’s perhaps inevitable in this gauge but aren’t there more “sceniced” layouts available to reduce the preponderance of oval circuits to display stock.
   As a novice to this sort of show my wife enjoyed it as well!
   Also Rod any chance of a copy of the video file so I can extract my layout section?

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7. 

   Paul Partridge on 31 March, 2014 at 18:57

   I would like to thank all the committee and volunteers who made GRail 2014 such a success. As a newcomer to G Scale I was happy with all aspects of the show. Ok it was unfortunate that the videos and demonstrations struggled to be heard but these are minor things that can be sorted for future years. I was lucky enough to win prizes in the modelling competition and as a result I am able to promote the G Scale Society in my own small way via friends and social networks. I am looking forward to next years event already. Thanks again, Paul

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8. 

   Chris Payne on 5 April, 2014 at 10:38

   Good to hear that the seating issue will be addressed: it was something we forgot to comment on when we put our feedback forms in the box but discussed it on the drive home. I’ve only been twice – 2013 (the year of hte snow) and this year. In 2013 -perhaps because various people hadn’t been able to make it, there was an area in the second hall that had (empty) tables and chairs that enabled people to sit down and have a chat. Likewise at least one (possibly two) had a couple of rows of chairs that enabled people to sit down and watch what was happening on the layout.
   Chris

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9. 

   PAUL HUNT on 12 April, 2014 at 17:10

   This show was a great improvement on last year. It seemed to me that more people attended and there was much more to see and purchase. The refreshment department was just what was needed. All in all a credit to the committee.

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10. 

    Derek Allen on 2 April, 2015 at 10:17

    I was unable to attend owing to transport problems, fifty three year old vehicle refused! Could I please learn the result of the ballot having invested in a stamp to vote.

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    • 

      Alan on 2 April, 2015 at 14:12

      The result of the Ballot was as follows:

      For the proposal: 24%
      Against the proposal: 76%

      Therefore the name of the Society remains the same.

      Alan Eccles
      Vice Chairman

      Reply