We have just been the recipient of a government grant to have solar panels installed on our roof. The decision to go this way was made after exhaustive research by Gordon Robbie and Glenn Buckman. It seemed a wise move in view of the spiraling cost of electricity.

This then lead to the conclusion that we should also install insulation cladding in the roof. Work is well underway, ably carried out by several club members under the direction of Gordon Robbie, Frank Wood and Noel Sawyer. It will certainly improve the atmosphere inside the building in winter and summer.

Meanwhile major changes are under way on both the Somerton layout and the N scale layout. On Somerton the area of the coal mine and adjoining station are being totally revamped, with the view to making major improvements to operating procedures there.

Meanwhile the enthusiastic N scalers - Roy Hancock, Kevin Bambury, Greg Spekking and Warwick Williams - are making a large alteration to the operating area of that layout. This area seems to be enjoying a major upsurge in interest.

A couple of weeks ago several members travelled to Wauchope to attend a live steam running day by the Wauchope club. The unanimous decision was that it was a very interesting and impressive day as it was great to see something entirely different to what was usual.

There are negotiations under way for a visit from the Central Coast chapter of the British Model Rail Association. Whilst they model an entirely different type of locos and rolling stock, t is amazing what new ideas can be gained from visits like this.