Call for volunteer help

We have a pressing need for volunteer help on back-office tasks. In addition to work related to safety documentation, we urgently need help on stock control and recording for our on-line and other merchandise sales. Technical / engineering knowledge is not essential. Computer literacy and a readiness to work flexibly from home will be necessary.  If you are interested, please contact us via office@lms-patriot.org.uk, our temporary office number 07801 945689, or the contact form on our website under Support Us/Volunteering.  We will then follow up with you to see how best you could help. 

Finance: In December, two short-term loans have been agreed with members.  December was the final month in which accrued compound interest on boiler loans was due to be paid. We intend to give you a more complete picture for 2020 next month.

Our January 2021 Board meeting will review the year-to-date income figures. However, to provide you with a taster on the total income for the quarter ending 31^st December, we are hoping that it will be close to £150k. Our provisional result for the quarter is £82k: this excludes any gift aid recoverable, which will be added in the January Board review.

It is very encouraging that we continue to receive the financial support that we do.  A sincere thank you for your continued faith.

At West Shed, work has continued since the latest Covid-19 lockdown. Good progress has been made on the lubrication system; and the time-consuming machining of small but important components such as the valve chest drains has been completed . We have finally completed the transfer of various components from Crewe Heritage Centre, selling our container there to CHC and delivering a second one for West Shed.

The grave of the Unknown Warrior lies at the west end of the Nave of Westminster Abbey in London. It symbolises all those who died during the Great War whose body or grave  could not be identified and may be from any of the three services, Army, Navy or Air Force, and from any part of the British Isles, Dominions or Colonies and represents all those who died who have no other memorial or known grave. The face of the Unknown Warrior will rightly never be known. He represents the son of every mother, the husband of every wife, the brother of every sister. A permanent memorial for all those who fell during the Great War of 1914-1918.

Engineering: At West Shed, work continues on the lubrication system and on various brasswork and fittings such as valve chest drains and tail rod bushes, and others. More components – the reverser shaft and the cylinder covers – have been returned to West Shed.

With thanks to Kevin West, Gavin Shell, Joanne Baddock and Arthur Sikes
for their help in producing this video update

Engineering

West Shed activity has picked up since the return to work in August. The team has been busy on detailed tasks: making valve crossheads and tail rod bushes, adapters, machining cylinder drain cocks and pipe fittings such as oil pots, and work on the lubrication system.. 

We made two significant decisions at our monthly engineering team meeting at West Shed on October 1^st (the reason this bulletin is a little later than usual).  

Just this morning I read that disposable face masks are creating a big waste plastic problem. Now is the time to consider using reusable masks as the current situation looks like being with us long term.

LMS-Patriot Project branded masks are now available in our web shop as single or packs of three.

Look in 'The Unknown Warrior Branded Items' for details.

Thank you and stay safe.

Neil Kinsey