There is a belief in our family that 13 is the Hanscombs' lucky number, but since 13 February, the day of the excellent Society dinner, I have been having my doubts! That was the evening when I finally said "Yes," to Peter Hoskings' insistence that I become the roster clerk for the third time. It took four or five glasses of wine which he pressed on me, assuring me as he did that I had nothing to worry about, Lance was driving me home. "You know you enjoy being here," he finally said. "I'll bet you being roster clerk caused a riot!" said Peter (husband) when I got home. I would enjoy it more if only more of you would come and help!

The open days since my Easter notes in the Bulletin are a bit of a blur. No, I have not been at the Guinness again, it's just that they followed one another rather quickly. The turbo was well patronized on 30 and 31 May but there are mixed feelings amongst members about selling tickets on the train. It can be a bit hectic if the train is full, and on one or two occasions they had only just finished as the train arrived. I think we need to consider a combined ticket to be sold by BR at Aylesbury, it would make the rostering easier.

Rostering for the Mini Traction Engines on Saturday 5 June and for Friends of Thomas on Saturday 12 June was a problem. We definitely need more volunteers for the big Saturday events, or we shall be losing money. We need to roster the Up Yard gate for people who come by bus because it stops the village side of the bridge, also we do get the odd pedestrian: sending them over the bridge, into the field and all the way back to the Down Yard gate is a bit daft.

The Thomas Weekend was very well patronized on both days and many thanks to Reg and Janice Uphill who spent the Saturday clearing away trays and keeping the refreshment area clean and tidy. On the Sunday Duncan Battersby surfaced from the Up Yard building, where he had been painting a coach, and thought the site looked rather full. So he very kindly offered his services to refreshments and dealt with the trays and kept the area tidy. Many thanks Duncan and as promised here is that epic poem repeated. Just as applicable as it was ten years ago!

The Thomas Weekend was very well patronized on both days and many thanks to Reg and Janice Uphill who spent the Saturday clearing away trays and keeping the refreshment area clean and tidy. On the Sunday Duncan Battersby surfaced from the Up Yard building, where he had been painting a coach, and thought the site looked rather full. So he very kindly offered his services to refreshments and dealt with the trays and kept the area tidy. Many thanks Duncan and as promised here is that epic poem repeated. Just as applicable as it was ten years ago!

"You're a miserable bloke," the roster clerk yelled

As Duncan she spied from afar.

Your brother is nice and will do his share.

But you won't do even one hour."

"Ah! I am so busy on carriage repairs

I haven't got time to help you.

You don't seem to realize the state of the stock,

There'll soon be no coaches for Q."

"I heard all those reasons a long time ago,

When roster clerk I first became,

I do understand the concern that you feel

But our steam days come frrstjust the same.

It is from our visitors we get the cash,

Which means we can all persevere

With the task of restoring our engines and stock,

A commitment we all hold so dear.

How can we look after the people who come

To visit us when we're in steam

If, now and then, I am so short of the help

Which is needed to field a good team?"

Duncan looked at the roster clerk, then at his feet,

"No car park!" he said with a grin.

"I'll agree to help Paul on his large bottle stall,

It really does pull the cash in."

The roster clerk sighed, there was nought she could do,

But walk round the site yet again,

Persuading and pleading with you awful lot!

Let's hope her work's not all in vain!!

July 3 (my birthday and thank you to those members who asked if l had received my telegram from the Queen, I have your names down!!) and was a quiet weekend. Again we only scraped by on the roster. Sunday was a bit busier and very hot. Everyone had gone to the seaside!

I have moved the roster book to the admin coach. Anytime I am not on site please put your name in the book and the times you can help, or phone me on xxxx xxxxxx, or write to xx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx, XXX XXX, but please do come and help. The future could be exciting. There is lots we can do to attract the public, but, we need your help.

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1993 and so does not reflect events in the 20+ 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:
Notes from the Roster Clerk - Anthea Hanscomb - Quainton News No. 73 - September 1993