MELTON MOWBRAY       AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

MELTON MOWBRAY & DISTRICT MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

The coupling between these two Societies is not new - it was first established several years ago when representatives of each Society gave to the other of them evening lectures and demonstrations of handiwork particularly in the field of electronic control of steam-powered vehicles etc. Sunday 8th June 2003 saw MMARS again attending the MM&DMES annual Miniature Steam Rally at Whissendine Sports Club Ground.

This 18th Rally presented to the public a wide variety of working steam models including road vehicles running around the field and steam and 'diesel' on the Model Engineering Society's portable track and on the main track laid on the sports field. This latter facility follows the cooperation of the Society and the Whissendine Sports Club to the extent that their HQ is well established there and monthly meetings are held. To attend such a meeting you only need to telephone the Chairman, Norman Smedley on 01664-434349. There were many static exhibits to fascinate the aficionados and rides and an opportunity was given to drive some of the machines.

The MMARS presence was well made by our having the tower and beams adjacent to the mobile shack at the entrance to the site.

	Here on setting-up day we see Dick G3NVK, Peter M3PCT on the left and John G4YSP with Terry M1TEM on the right contemplating a plan of action as behind the scenes Graham G4PTK, Peter G4WTW and Howard G6KQP arrange for the mobile shack and tower to be removed to site.
	Once on the Whissendine Sportsground Graham is into action arranging aerial feeders and, once more taking the established Mason route up the tower; the higher John winds it up the more oxygen he needs!
	The view from the top is refreshing after his efforts, but Graham spies a storm brewing in the distance so is soon quickly on the ground at Base Camp to warn the gang.
	Organised chaos and the mobile workshop of Peter G4WTW and it's all soon up and running indoors, with Ron G4ASE (down from his new home in York), Peter M3PCT, Graham G4PTK and Pete G4XYC (who was rarin' to get cracking on the key).
	Roy GØWYM as Acting Catering Officer enquires "Anyone for tea and scones?" - whilst Howard ('double time on Saturdays') G6KQP decides to polish up his big kettle!
	Pete G3XYC maintains that he always tunes for maximum smoke and today is no exception as he prepares the rig for the first call of the weekend by G4FOX the main callsign of MMARS - much to the consternation of passers-by testing their own machines!
	<   STEAM       -       Men and their Machines       -      RADIO   > "I wonder what it will do?"
	Our tower and beams, proudly flying the Union flag and advertising our presence, stands like a sentinel at the gate to the sportsground - and in the distance the Whissendine windmill, now under full sail is our back-up for Semaphore just in case Pete does blow up the rig!
	"Model to thy inward greatness, like little body with a mighty heart" SHAKESPEARE
	A VERY SUCCESSFUL SHOW "You're looking quite chuffed with yourself little chap!" NOT SHAKESPEARE
	Time, you old gypsy man, Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for one day? — RALPH HODGSON