www mkmrs org uk MKMRS — ONE YEAR

www. mkmrs. org. uk MKMRS - ONE YEAR ON Ian Bartlett ian. bartlett@mkmrs. org. uk Twitter: MK_Model_Rail

Topics for today • • • Brief history and overview of MKMRS A challenging time - moving premises Success of the past 12 months Future developments 2014 exhibition www. mkmrs. org. uk

History & overview of MKMRS • • Founded in 1969 Early adopter of ‘Milton Keynes’ in our title Located in and around Milton Keynes area since Currently have 70+ members Wide range of club and members’ layouts Vintage tinplate through to latest digital operation Active club open to new members www. mkmrs. org. uk

Moving premises • Bletchley Park being redeveloped so we had to move • Moved to Barton Road on 1 December 2012 • Budget didn’t buy space for all our layouts – some were scrapped • Forced us to rethink what we do and how we do it • Difficult time – real concern for future of club www. mkmrs. org. uk

What happened - the past 12 months • Quickly got layouts up and running • Pushed on with 2013 exhibition – 2, 100 attended making it our most successful to date • Agreed on 3 new/replacement layouts • Membership grew slightly • New venue enhanced club operation and interaction • Sought to engage more to become a real community asset www. mkmrs. org. uk

Future developments • Working more closely with Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership – exhibition, events and publicity • Invited East West Rail to our exhibition – major rail project in the area of interest to family audience • Working to set up an adoption scheme for Bletchley station with MVCRP and London Midland to: – enhance the station environment – provide users with updates about the station itself (not trains) – encourage safe railway use amongst younger age groups • Watch this space for launch details! www. mkmrs. org. uk

2014 Exhibition Saturday 15 February Shenley Brook End School, Milton Keynes. MK 5 7 ZT 40+ layouts, 20+ traders and demonstrations Food by Buskers of Wolverton – Buskers Buffet Car! Bargain day out: Families £ 10, Adults £ 5, Children £ 3 Reductions for rail travel, with free buses provided from Milton Keynes Central & Bletchley stations • Very popular with families and experienced modellers • www. mkmrs. org. uk/exhibitions • • • www. mkmrs. org. uk

To sum up. . . • An established and successful model railway club • Catering for a wide range of railway modelling interests • An outward looking organisation going from strength to strength • 2014 exhibition set to be biggest and best yet • Firm intention to remain as part of the railway scene in Bletchley and Milton Keynes as the railway grows www. mkmrs. org. uk

www. mkmrs. org. uk