N Devon Model Engineers, is this the end?

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

I have been a member of North Devon Society of Model Engineers for over 30 years. Back then there were 40 -50 members, we had a track and acess to a school fully equiped workshop.

Now we are down to 6 members and it’s unlikley we will be able to afford the meeting room hire for another year when subscriptions become due in March.

It’s a sad state that no youger people are interested in engineering or making things in general. Adverts in local press and annual displays at local vintage rallies have failed to attract new members.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Hobby places need to broaden their net, computers in particular have changed the entire industry

Nowadays you need to offer locos, 3D printing, CNC, plasma,welding CAD and all the other “maker” spectrum

I got into this game from fishing (making bits)

If you only offer one beer to sup at your pub then you will only get a few customers

Plus you need an internet presence like facebook or X, totally essential nowadays

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

If you have become that small can you meet at each others houses?

[JAParticipant @ja]

I belong to a motorcycle club that fell to only 4 members (it is much larger now).

Has your club downsized? Still using a club room sounds as if it has not. This may sound drastic but if you are a limited company liquidated it and become a mutual organisation. Get rid of the committee and just have an organiser. Think about getting rid of any money the club has (the quickest way to kill a small club is to argue about money). Meet in a lounge bar of a pub. And so on.

Start again and try to increase your visibilty.

JA

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

I’m in Combe Martin.  Pm sent!

Steve

[JA]

On JA Said:

I belong to a motorcycle club that fell to only 4 members (it is much larger now).

Has your club downsized? Still using a club room sounds as if it has not. This may sound drastic but if you are a limited company liquidated it and become a mutual organisation. Get rid of the committee and just have an organiser. Think about getting rid of any money the club has (the quickest way to kill a small club is to argue about money). Meet in a lounge bar of a pub. And so on.

Start again and try to increase your visibilty.

JA

We are very informal, not a limited company and just hire a room for a meeting once a month. That and the Southern fed subscription is our ony expense. We cannot downsize any lower!

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Many landlords will let you have room for free providing everyone buy’s a drink of some kind

H

[Engine Builder]

On 2 December 2023 at 12:29 Engine Builder Said:

Adverts in local press and annual displays at local vintage rallies have failed to attract new members.

Well there’s your problem. I tried googling North Devon Society of Model Engineers, the only result was this forum post. Being this hard to find would make criminals and spies jealous of your groups anonymity

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I’d query what you’re getting from SFed membership. I note they have rebranded themselves as THE society……. ignoring the existence of the Northern Fed

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Sorry to hear about your problems Engine builder – as Rainbows says you have been trying hard to be invisible. Even now you are failing to say where you actually are, Barnstaple side or Watchet side of Exmoor for a start, and a first name helps to be friendly. Change your club name to the nearest town.
For years now every time someone comes on here saying they live in north Devon I mention the clubs at Tiverton and Exeter and rumours of a club on the north coast but none of your club members has come on to publicise themselves. There is at least one Men in Sheds group up there in Bideford or Barnstaple but again they don’t do much in the way of self-publicity.

EDMES – the Exeter club is gradually growing despite what you say and are starting to train beginners in our workshop. I’ve just got back from our club Christmas dinner; the club having spent much of the day at the Berrybrook launch of their new Mamod shop where we were able to set up and get some more publicity for ourselves.

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

Thank you all for the input. As starters then here is some info.

North Devon Society of Model Engineers.

Contact David.

email ndsme@tiscali.co.uk

Meetings on the first Friday of the month at Fremington Methodist Church. 2 Old School Lane EX31 3AZ

7:30 start. Large car park at the rear. Refreshments provided.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Engine Builder –

I wish your Society well for recovery.

 

Duncan –

It is actually the Northern Association of Model Engineers. Not “Federation” though effectively a federation of clubs, and part of the M.E.L.G.

As the two names rather imply, N.A.M.E. differs from the Federation Formerly Known As Southern in being much less formal, needing just two “Delegates’ Meetings” meetings a year. (Three actually – it dispenses with its AGM and one DM in a single day.)

I know because I represent my own, formerly Southern Fed., society there, despite we being so more South than the North Devon S.M.E. Society that I swear some of the gulls flying over our site have French accents.

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

A long way from North Devon but by comparison the Grimsby & Cleethorpes MES seems to be in rude health with 80 members, although not all of them are active. The Society has an extensive multi-gauge railway with a road way for traction engines etc. located on a very attractive site which is also home to a rural museum and a fully restored and usually working six-sail 19th century windmill. (Unfortunately at the moment this has its sails and cap removed for essential restoration works). The MES site is always being improved and enhanced by the members who gather and mostly undertake this work on a Thursday. The Society is very fortunate in having some highly skilled, very knowledgeable and well motivated people within its membership who are always ready to share their expertise with younger and less experienced members. However, the Society is not complacent and is very aware of the rising age profile of its membership and is always exploring ways to attract new members. There is a well maintained website GCMES.com and a warm welcome for anyone who expresses interest in joining. This year is the Society’s 90th anniversary and a celebration is being organised for the August bank holiday weekend when visiting Societies and individuals will be welcome to avail themselves of the site facilities by prior arrangement. Please consult the Society’s website for details.

[Author]

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