Photo:
J M Hutchings - April 1969 Tom Parry leaves Luton for Quainton

On Christmas Eve I was comfortable in my fireside chair and reflecting on the past decade of the Quainton Railway Society, its successes, progress and problems. At that season of goodwill what was more natural than a series of pleasant recollections and friendly thoughts for all those who have contributed so much time and money(!) towards our undoubted achievements since 1969, the year we moved to our Buckinghamshire home. You will agree, I am sure, that enthusiasm for a railway preservation centre means a willingness to do everything possible for the good of the Society and this is what we must resolve to do in the coming year. So, to the hundreds of members who have helped establish Quainton as our choice as the No. 1 Centre, I send my warmest greetings and the happiest of New Year wishes to all readers of 'Quainton News'.

The lifeblood of a progressive organisation is however some cash to fuel the enthusiasm of its members. This vital ingredient comes, in good measure, from our ever welcome visitors and in 1979 we are planning more opportunities for these folk to join us. Here is the fixture list: note the extra July and August activities:

Open Weekends:
Easter, 14th to 16th April
Maydays, 5th to 7th May
Spring, 26th to 28th May
Summer, 25th to 27th August

Steaming Sundays:
27th April , 24th June
1st, 8th, 15th and 29th July
5th, 12th, 19th August
30th September, 28th October

While you have your diaries and ball points at the ready, make a note of the provisional dates for Schools Steamings in June. They are 11th and 12th, 18th and 19th, and 25th and 26th of that month. Most important to note is the 21st April which is the date for the Society's Annual General Meeting.

Now let's make 1979, our 10th Anniversary Year, a first class success so that, in the Winter 1979/80 Quainton News I can report real progress in all departments and a communal feeling of having worked together towards a sound future. Good luck!

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1978 and so does not reflect events in the 36+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Editorial - Quainton News No. 37 - Winter 1978 / 9