marc smith

I am sorry, Marc. However as many have said, it's a new beginning. Take the package offered, invest wisely and find something part time.....to allow more time for modelling

It's an x files episode. Modellers targeted for job losses. I was an early victim, but as above, you rise to the new challenges. You got a multitude of transferable skills. And you can't rule out busking in queen street.

naturol, I think you're on to something!

I'm hoping that if / when it happens, I WILL have time for modelling again

I may even build layouts at the rate I did a few years back, write articles about each, and flog the layouts afterwards

Hmm, there's a nice thought!

Thanks again for all your kind words of support folks

It's the uncertainty that I hadn't thought would be just so unsettling....

Seriously though, those telescopic magnets are great.

My late mother used one for retrieving pins she dropped on the floor when she was sewing.

Sticking a light on the business end would make the things even more useful.

Aldi had a telescopic magnetic pickup with an led light built into the head (hole in the middle of the magnet) so you can see what you were aiming at. I have one, its pretty good! . Rather like this...

This is from Amazon, though at nearly £7, its a bit dearer than Aldi was.

Aldi also did a mirror on a telescopic stick with LED lights, rather like the devices that bomb disposal operatives use to inspect the undersides of vehicles...

It beats me why they built the ground so low down.

Good enough for Bowie!

@Barry Ten - if J J Burnel or Norman Watt-Roy didn't use one, it's probably not for me
I hear tell Kraftwerk wouldn't touch one with a barge pole

Cyrus Redblock

If I buy a return ticket, do I have to return it?

Also, can I buy a single ticket if I'm married?

Having been made redundant twice already, I feel for you. Best of luck!

And the BIG news is....... someone from the senior committee failed to sign the proposals
So they can't tell me what's happening, even following a delayed deadline day!
Sigh, I've had over 4 and a half years of this.....

Oh no, I don't know what's worse! So sorry to hear that it's not resolved yet, Marc, one way or the other. Best of luck, either way!

We have shares in Add Blue

Duckworth Lewis Method

All the people...

Good to have you back Mark, and looking like you might be modelling again quite soon I hope.

welcome back still following your micro layouts

How many of you (us) are old enough to remember the well known phrase "Never fear, Smith is here" ? Anyone recall the TV series that was from

Is there a flip side to this?

enough of your floury language!

I try not to think about time 'flashing by' at my time of life!

I prefer Charlotte Church, or at a push Catherine Zeta Jones...

@AY Mod and @Barry Ten- Yes, Cerys is indeed a fine ambassador... I need a cold shower, thinking of her - and that's not related to the unusually warm weather here
@Ian J. Charlotte and Catherine are also among those I consider to be ambassadors for Wales

Heck, Scully has been mentioned too.... now I need two cold showers
 

Holiday in Wales, its not always raining!

Are they the Chinese ones off eBay for a couple of quid ?

Typical dumbing down. Its like Train Station. Tree museum? Its an Arboretum!

I talk to the trees but they don't listen to me.

If it's catching, don't tell my girlfriend, she,ll be wanting to drag me up to North Cardiff to visit you.......

Just call it a modelling holiday break?

Ah, it's a modelling holiday break - thanks for that Hugh

Cheers for the thoughts folks... however, it's in black & white this time, and in their plans for the future
They've even stated that our dept as "outside of their plans". 18 months absolute tops

Good luck; another door will be ajar and you will be able to push it open.

Thanks for the good wishes folks. It's a difficult time. Sadly, the Voluntary severance package is absolute rubbish.
It makes no account for my 30+ years of service. In fact, it's the same offer to someone who has only been employed for two years!
I'm not walking - they'll have to push me!!! 

And Mr Pharmacist

Rowche Rumble!

Hey, Lucianni...

Happy birthday!

And Bowie! You too of course!

Yesterday was also Shirley Bassey's birthday...

... sharing a birthday with all these people that can sing,

it begs the question; "What happened with me?"

Happy Birthday!

All the best Marc !

Cheers folks!

The watch says it's beer time

unsliced bread??

The bread knife?

White bread?

Saw them at Cambridge last year, and they were great then..

Even better last night - I'm sure they'll rock Reading too

"Whisky is the life of man"

Saw them at Beautiful Days in August, tremendous band, you cant help but get up and jig!

So have I Pete.

Great book. If you are 'of a certain age'

Yes notascoobie, it is about train spotting, not modelling,

but most rail modellers are fans of the real thing too, I guess...

I found myself laughing at the book, myself, and those who "criticise" rail fans...

There can't be too many books that could do that...

And Mr Barry Ten, I thought you'd forgotten...

So I bought another copy, as I wanted to re-read a few quotes...

Please pass my old copy on to Roger....

And Gridwatcher... I a...

Incredible to think that when it was first broadcast, the future of the Settle & Carlisle still wasn't assured.

Yes @Captain Kernow- I watched that one last night, and I'd almost forgotten how insecure the future of the S&C was.
The programme also made me want to visit Dent & Ribblehead again ASAP.

Some nice footage of Barry scrapyard in one of the episodes too. I was in the area before in between lockdowns, and was amazed at the streets, housing and shops that now occupy the site  
Whenever I see footage of Woodhams yard back in the 70's & 80's - I keep a sharp eye out for the young me, clambering over sharp, rusty, oily bits of metal, and kicking asbestos around  

..... whilst wearing flares, Proclaimers-style glasses.... and snorkel jacket of course  

If a German comes out of a spa and immediately starts eating sausages, does he go from Bad to Wurst?

Now that's an old banger.......

A spoiled brat is the wurst.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda I Chi Captain

Does that mean 'Admiral Blodwyn Thomas would like a pint'.. by any chance!! ;-)

And to you, may it be a good one :-)

Work expands to fill the time available!

Inevitable, if one uses out of scale electrons.

Has to be one thing i hate doing!.

Those blue and silver boxes are lovely enough in their own right.

Nasty Dave needs to stop tempting you all. Lol

Dave, can you make sure the Dapol O guage shunter comes in a small enough box for me to sneak it into the house easily?

Oh, and a false price tag that says

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour....

...This man said ...it's gruesome

that someone so handsome should care...

Did he leave his bag in Newport Pagnell?

Oh yeah... ^^

It was the same when I got payed weekly

Actually, it's usually gone BEFORE I even get it......