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The Guildford Model Engineering Society is a friendly group of like-minded individuals that aims to encourage, develop, and provide facilities for the hobby of model engineering. New members are always welcome.
Member’s interests include the construction and operation of models of all kinds at any scale including railways, traction engines, stationary engines, internal combustion engines and boats as well as clocks and scientific instruments and the tools and equipment used in the hobby. All levels of model making skills are found among the members ranging from real experts to beginners and those who simply enjoy models and the company of model makers. Many members involve themselves in more than one area of model engineering.
Our most visible activities are centred on railways. To many of our members, model engineering is about building accurate scale models of real steam locomotives which are capable of pulling a train laden with passengers. To others, it's about modelling the environs of a busy railway station at a particular point in the past. Others run models of narrow gauge trains out of doors with electric or steam power.
GMES has more than 200 members, including some from continental Europe and the USA. Our most distant member, who hails from California, is the webmaster for the North County Model Railroad Society. We have a full programme of meetings, talks and visits for members and we hold open days monthly during the summer. Our main show, our Model Steam Rally and Exhibition, is held over a weekend in July. Our passenger hauling railways comprise a combined 3½" and 5"gauge raised track and a 7¼"gauge ground level track. We also have a 32mm and 45mm gauge 'garden' railway. Our well-equipped clubhouse is home to our OO-gauge layout. Full details of the Society are laid out in the Member’s Handbook. A programme of the events is issued to members twice a year, supplemented by our events page and there is a quarterly newsletter.
The Guildford Model Engineering Society was founded in 1954 with the objectives of "promoting fellowship between members, developing, encouraging and providing facilities for the hobby of model engineering including the construction and operation of models of all kinds including tools, apparatus and equipment to any scale".
In 1958 the Society moved to Burchatts Farm, Stoke Park, Guildford, which has been leased from Guildford Borough Council ever since. On 1st April 1983 the Society became a “Private Company Limited by Guarantee”.
The Society is incorporated under the Companies Act as GUILDFORD MODEL ENGINERING SOCIETY LIMITED. It is without share capital, all profits being re-invested in the Society.
The Society is governed by the Council of Management, which is elected by the membership at the annual general meeting and the administration by the Council is in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Council has the sole control of the financial commitments of the Society as well as being responsible for all matters appertaining to health, safety and security.
The main appointments to the Council are: President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Chief Electrical Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Groundsman, Newsletter Editor, Public Relations Officer, Librarian, Programme Secretary and other representatives of special interest sections.
The Society welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining the society please approach any of the members at one of our public events or come along for a chat on a Thursday morning or contact us by post or e-mail.
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