New society in central Wales - Cambrian Model Engineers

[kingsteam9]

A small number of us model and home workshop engineers have been meeting regularly over the last year and as additional members have joined in we've reached the stage of formally establishing ourselves as the 'Cambrian Model Engineers'. All of our members are located in mid Wales, and that covers most of the Cambrian Mountains area. Members interests are just as widespread, covering all forms and scales of live steam, smaller gauge model rail, clockmaking, toolmaking and restoration, and all things engineering. We currently meet on a fortnightly basis and because of the geographical spread of our members we move the meeting place around, usually at member's homes, for general chat, 'bits and pieces' and anything else that comes up, plus - not to be forgotten - the essential tea/cake etc . Our chairman kindly lets us use his 5" gauge ground level track for 'steam ups', organised for the summer months, weather allowing.

We're always keen to hear from anyone interested in joining us so if you'd like further details do please send me a p.m. in the first instance, and I'll be happy to oblige.

Robin King

[mikegw4]

Hello Robin,
My son Piers and I met you at the Welshpool show on Saturday. I think you said there is a meeting on November 5 at Tregynon? Perhaps you could let me have the details. In case my email was illegible, I'll include it - [e-mail].

Best wishes,
Mike Lawton

[kingsteam9]

Mike,
apologies - I've been a bit lax about logging on lately but I hear that you caught up with some of the gang on Sunday- hope it hasn't deterred you!!
Robin

[rdfm]

Hi Robin.
We were camping with some friends of my wife over the bank holiday, and as I was building some rolling stock, one of her friends and I got chatting about me building steam locos as he has always wanted to build a steam engine. He is thinking to start with a stationary engine, but does not seem to have any equipment or know where to start. I gave him a few ideas to look up on 'tinter-net' but was thinking if there is a local MES to Aberystwyth, where he lives, that they may be able to guide him better in person. We have invited him to pop in to see us at home if he is down in south wales, and I could take him to BDMES where I am a member for a look around and see what is possible. Yours seems to be the nearest to Aberystwyth that I have found, but could not find much in the way of details. Is the Cambrian MES still in existence? I notice your last post was a few years ago.

Failing that does anyone else know of a MES near Aberystwyth, I saw a post elsewhere on a website listing MES, saying all clubs who do not have an official club website are to be removed, which did seem a little harsh, but maybe they have their reasons, I don't know. However it does seem that if we want members to join us we do need to tell people we exist, and at least some basic contact details. I know when we moved to South Wales from the Midlands, it took some detective work to find a club nearby. (One who I enquired to, were not friendly in their reply but did turn out to be further than I thought away.) It took me a while to sort out local geography, and where you can or can't easily get to from our town. However I can say that our nearest, which I have now joined, (once I found them) are really friendly, and welcoming.

Regards,

David

[JonL]

midwalesmes.org.uk/

How is that locationwise? Powys?

[kingsteam9]

David, (and others)

Yes - the Cambrian Model Engineers society are very much alive and well and increasingly active post Covid. The immediate thought is that I don't know of an ME society in/around the Aberystwyth area, and suspect that we would be the nearest, though still some distance away.

If that might help feel free to PM me and I'll see what we can do to help.

Robin

[rdfm]

Thanks Robin I will try to have a chat with him soon and get back to you. Regards David