Chairman –Ian Manderson
Ian moved down from Northumberland to Gloucester in 1984 to study computing at GlosCAT,joining the GMRC around 1986/87. He was quickly involved helping out another member,Kier Hardy,with his exhibition layout Calder Bridge. Ian remained a regular member for a number of years before finding a lack of time and other commitments meant he could no longer attend on such a regular basis. As well as continuing to help Kier at exhibitions,now with Holmeworth,Ian finally built an exhibition layout of his own. Easington Lane hit the circuit in 1998 and still sees occasional outings today. In the mid 2000s Ian was able to return to the club on a more regular basis and volunteered for the Committee. In 2009 Ian was appointed Chairman and now combine this role with helping organise the annual Cotswold Model Rail Show. Ian has seen many changes over the years and looks forward,with the help of his fellow Committee members to ensuring the club remains a vibrant meeting place.
Vice Chair –John Freer
Biog coming soon
Secretary &Webmaster –Ken Haines
Ken,having been brought up in Swindon during the days of steam,with father,grandfather and brother in the railway works,it was inevitable that he would develop a love for trains and the GWR in particular. Early days involved Hornby clockwork 0 gauge trains and train-spotting trips to stations and sheds in London,Basingstoke,Gloucester,Barry,etc.
Life got in the way for a couple of decades before he attended a Gloucester Model Railway Show in the 1980s which gave him the desire to build Beesands Junction –a layout now sadly defunct. He joined the GMRC in the late 1980s and has been a very regular attender since. In his time in the club he has served as Vice-chairman,Secretary,Webmaster,Competition Organiser and Exhibition Manager. He has organised a number of trips out,initiated the original Website,edited a monthly newsletter and been involved with the design and building of a number of club layouts. He was also one of the workers who dismantled a clapped out building at Toddington in the early 1990s and,after it was transported to Elmscroft,mended the panels and erected and decorated the new clubroom –real 12″to the foot modelling!
Ken now gets more enjoyment out of building kits and improving ready to run models than he does “playing trains”but he is happy to help at exhibitions in whatever role is needed. Recently Ken is often seen building kits and chatting to exhibition visitors –at least he gets to sit down in this role!
Treasurer –Sarah Walburn
Sarah qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000,and has worked for Hazlewoods LLP since 1998. She specialises in the accounts of Veterinary Practices and travels all over the UK to visit her clients.
When not working,or handling the GMRC accounts,Sarah spends most of her time walking,training or competing in obedience classes with Border Collie Duke. You can follow Duke’s progress on his website Detania Duke of Gloucester. Sarah is also the finance director of Seligsoft Limited which trades as Elite Baseboards,a company run with her husband Giles.
Sarah and Giles married in October 2010 and were friends for several years before,having met through the shared interest of Model Railways. Sarah’s Great Grandfather was Company Secretary to LNER and her Great Aunt Dr Beeching’s Personal Secretary (which is not something that Sarah is proud of). Sarah’s Mum grew up over looking the Northern Line,and got to watch the Mallard and Flying Scotsman at work. This love of trains was passed on to Sarah. At the tender age of 6 Sarah was given her first layout – this stopped her “playing with” her Dad’s layout.
Members Representative –Sue Ward-Davies
Biog coming soon
Members Representative –Harvey Whitmore
Biog coming soon
Members Representative –Roger Brown
Roger has unfortunately tendered his resignation from the committee and Roger Kent has been seconded to the committee in his place until the AGM.