Sixty EMGS members together with a contingent of enthusiasts and locals from the surrounding area descended on the Parish Hall at Ashover in Derbyshire on the 1st February for the 2025 Members Day event and Annual General Meeting. 

Convened in the venue to welcome everyone were three layouts, several model making demos, the EMGS annual competition, the Society’s test track and members’ sales stand, and a small coterie of traders

For one trader – James Hudson of Bill Hudson Transport Books – the event was a sort of homecoming, as more than 50 years ago, James’ father and founder of the eponymous transport book shop was so inspired by the area that he set his just supposing Midland Railway layout in the village. Bill’s memorable and award winning Ashover layout featured as Railway of the Month in the January 1972 edition of Railway Modeller. That layout is long gone of course, but we did manage to host a 21st century Ashover layout as a guest layout  – Ashgate – depicting elements of the Colonel Stephens’ 1924 Ashover Light Railway, albeit to 009 standards. Not that it seemed to matter to the assembled EM Gauge adherents, as the modelling by Richard Holmes was exquisite. 

EM gauge modelling was represented coincidently by a pair of Bakers; Clive Baker and Bernie Baker. Not related of course, at least not in body, but certainly in inspiration as they both presented delightful little industrial railway layouts. Clive’s current project portrays a rural plaster mill in the Dove Valley, whilst Bernie’s represents a small quayside vista. Presenting the modelling demonstrations were members Karl Crowther, John Elliott, Tony Gee, Vernon Harrod and Mick Moore. 

The Annual Competition

This attracted a good spread of entries with Peter Hill winning the Scratchbuilt and Kitbuilt Motive Power category (Group 1) for his model of Barclay Tank No 18. Lester Powell took the Converted and Modified Proprietary Motive Power Trophy (Group 2) for a Dean Goods 0-6-0. The appropriately named Pick-up Trophy for Scratchbuilt, Kitbuilt and Modified Proprietary Rolling Stock (Group 3) went to Vernon Harrod for a rake of GN wagons, and Tony Gee collected the Anniversary Trophy for Trackwork, Buildings and General Lineside Features (Group 4) with his model of a LD&ECR Signal Box.

The AGM

A convivial Annual General Meeting considered various topics including the comparative costings of the printed newsletter vs a fully electronic version, and an appeal from the chair for more volunteers to step to assist with the running of the Society, particularly at our exhibitions. Two new volunteers for Trade Liaison Officer and Publicity Officer were also required to take on these roles in the not too distant future. Full minutes will be distributed in due course.

All in all Members Day 2025 was a congenial gathering of like minded modellers, and despite its somewhat off-the-beaten-track venue the attractive rural location was sufficiently appealing to exercise members’ Sat Navs and fill the car park!

With special thanks to the traders; Bill Hudson Transport Books, CM3 Models, Judith Edge Kits and our own Trade Officer for supporting the event, and to Peter and Brenda Rigby for the venue arrangements.

Highlights of the event can be seen in a short video via the link uploaded on the gallery page, and further details will be published in the next EMGS Newsletter due out in April.