A final joint effort this year from the Midland and West Region saw us at STEAM; Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon. Located in the old locomotive works itself, the building alone exudes all of the power and glory of the steam days.

Fifteen members and guests gathered with coffee in hand, welcomes given, and a few ‘Parish Notices’ from myself and Phil Hadley before entering the cavernous display halls. Everything from factory stores, casting sheds, boiler making, station dioramas, advertising ephemera, and Castle and King Class locomotives on display, our artists were not short of subjects.

A huge thank you to all who attended, and to the wonderful staff at the collection, I’m sure we have a return ticket!

Rob Hames GAvA
West Region Organiser

Phil Hadley GAvA
Midland Region Organiser