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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 2014 Exhibition Saturday 15 February Shenley Brook End School, Milton Keynes. MK5 7ZT 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

8. 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