FAQs

How large is the group? We currently we have about 50+ members – Approximately 50% are considered active and attend a number of the events we organise. The rest are sleeping members who continue to receive all group communication. This is fairly typical for 16mm association groups as well as many other clubs and societies.

What geographical area do you cover? Whilst we are known as the West Herts Area Group and the majority of members live in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire in reality we have no geographical restrictions on where are membership is drawn from. All are welcome to join us – wherever they live!

How are the group’s activities and responsibilities managed? We operate very informally with no committee structure. We have a group coordinator and Treasurer who oversees the group’s activities and keeps tabs on our limited funds. A number of other functions are delegated to other members a few of which are set out below:

David Jones – Group Coordinator and Treasurer. (whags@btinternet.com)

Ian Bagshaw – Group Membership and SMT Bulletin Editor. (i.b.bagshaw@gmail.com)

Huw Williams – Group Meetings Organiser. (hwilliamsltg@gmail.com)

How much does it cost to become a WHAG’s member? There are no group membership fees, all we ask is that all WHAG’s members join the Association of 16 mm Association Narrow Gauge Modeller (www.16mm.org.uk). This is mainly for the insurance protection provided when we are running with the general public or visitors in attendance. Joining the 16mm Association can be done online using the Associations website.

How do I become a member? All you have to do is register you interest and provide Ian Bagshaw with the following information:

Your name, address, email address, contact phone number and 16mm Association membership number .

You will be added to the group Email list and so receive all event notices and invitations. All you then need to do is turn up and meet fellow minded members of the group who will guide you around our activities and facilities. Any information you provide with be maintained in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

What actives can I participate in? We have a mixture of 3 main types of events which are generally scheduled on Saturdays during the year. We have an arrangement with Brambleton Model Railway Club in Harpenden (www.brambleton.org.uk) to run on their outdoor 32mm gauge track. These meetings take place a number of times per month throughout the year. We also assist with providing the entertainment for their bi-annual public open days.

During the winter months we arrange additional afternoon indoor meetings using the Berry Lane Methodist Church Hall in Rickmansworth. Here we have a portable raised track which can be quickly assembles and stored.

In addition to the above we also ask members if they wish to host meetings in the summer using their own private garden railways.

How can I find out about the group’s actives? Our programme of meetings is published on our website and is also emailed to members as and when any changes or new events are added. Additionally, Huw Williams notifies all members of approaching events by email.

Are there any charges to participate in the WHAG’s events? There is no charge for visiting and running at Brambleton but should you like to make a voluntary donation to the Bramble MRC they have a paypal account, the details of which are sent out in the invitation you will receive We do have to levy a charge of £5 per adult per visit for all Berry Lane indoor meetings to pay for the hire of the hall (Under 18’s are exempt from this charge). The cash is collected from attendees on the day at Berry Lane. There are no charges for private garden meetings but we do ask that all respect the hosts hospitality.

What do I have to do the attend a meeting? Apart from turning up and enjoying yourself we ask that you respond to Huw Williams invitation emails for Brambleton and Berry Lane if you wish to attend. In addition, we ask that you complete the sign-in sheet when on-site at Brambleton.

For invitations to members garden meetings we ask that you notify the host of your attendance as set out in the email invitation. As a matter of security policy, we don’t publish in our meeting programme the full addresses of individual members but they are included in the details circulated for the individual meetings.