I learnt a lot from the six days and had I heeded the warnings of June and Dennis Vass, we would not have run out of cuddly toys. They came to the rescue magnificently and my poor husband found himself volunteered to wrap up dozens of assorted cuddlies! Judith Emmerson and Julia Aylward wrapped up small books and Trevor the Traction engine against the clock and I have assured them all that it won't happen again.

The train times had to be altered for the whole of Sunday December 18th because we were nearly fully booked and the Santa in the rear two coaches needed more than twenty minutes to visit all the children and possibly have his photo taken as well. This takes time so next Christmas we intend returning to the every forty minutes time table.

Meanwhile we need time to consider ways of making both yards look more interesting. Parents have complained that it is boring going back and forth in what, as one parent put it, is a junk yard. That is why Rudolph was born. He was a terrific success and in spite of the fact that Pete Bradbury and his Peckett couldn't push Rudolph to the end of the down yard, due to the state of the track, the children did get quite a good view of him. Thanks to Judith and Alan Emmerson for lending us their generator. Rudolph was lit by fairy lights. Next Christmas he will have a sleigh.

So what else can we do? There isn't any room in the Up Yard to have anything extra for the visitors to look at but how about a few wooden snowmen and perhaps another Christmas Tree in the Down Yard? Any constructive ideas to either me or Allan Baker, but please do give it some thought. Competition is the name of the game.

Our partners, VAMES, had their track in the Down Yard restoration shed, as usual, but unfortunately suffered from engine trouble and many visitors could not have their miniature ride, which was a pity. Let us hope they have a problem free Christmas this year.

Refreshments was exhausting. Jennie would love to have some more help. The public preferred the slices of mince pie to the usual individual ones so could we have some more help in making them please? The punch was lapped up with glee, so were the hot dogs and beef burgers on the three Sundays. Mr Chris and his magic show was a great success, it always is. Some visitors had difficulty finding the Terrapin building so the new notice that David Matthews is going to make will be a great help. Yes, it was a success and I have kept all the roster sheets from last Christmas, so in October you will hear from me! You will help again won't you, with perhaps some new members joining in?