Update from the organizers With the extension to July 19 of the date for relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, the NMRA BR Summer Meet will now be on Saturday 31 July, at the Oxford Belfry Hotel, Milton Common, OX9 2JW. The venue will be open to NMRA members and the public from 10:00 to 16:00. We expect that all the booked traders will be attending, along with layouts, the BR library, the BR publicity stand and space for Bring & Buy tables, all in the one air-conditioned room. Even though we are expecting to be able to meet on that day, we must recognize that there may be still be Covid restrictions applying, and which the hotel will be expecting us to comply with. While we don’t know what they might be, we suggest that you bring a face-mask, and be aware before you come of what other restrictions may apply. Traders invited include Anoraks Anonymous, Sunningwell Command Control, Mech Models, Linda Tinker Railway Books, N-Scale Laser, AngloAmerican, and American O Scale. Catering will be provided by the hotel; there are licensed bars which also serve tea and coffee as well as bar snacks and more substantial meals, and we are planning that a limited range of hot drinks to be available in the hall itself. There is plenty of space in the hall and in the bar and other areas to meet and chat, so do be sure to come along, ready for our first meet since Benson 2020, 18 months ago! The Belfry is located on the A40 just north of the A329 at Junction 7 of the M40. Note that J7 faces south only. If approaching from the north on the M40, exit at J8a, then follow A418 towards Thame and Aylesbury for about half a mile then turn right onto A40; there is a brown sign to the Belfry a brown sign at this point. Please ensure that you tell all your friends and contacts about both the change of venue and now the change of date. We don’t want anyone to go to the old hall and find it a building site. We have raised the admission price for non-NMRA members; we feel that £10 for non-members does help to show the value to be gained from becoming an NMRA member. NMRA members are still at £5. Please bring your NMRA Membership card, as we may not have time to check your membership and you’ll risk the non-NMRA admission charge. There are attractions close by which might interest non-railers in your family sharing the day out. The hotel itself has a spa and swimming pool; do make enquiries and bookings before you come. Be prepared to make advanced bookings for other local attractions, too, like Waterperry Gardens which are just a few minutes away. Oxford is also only a few miles away, with a Park & Ride available on the A40 as you go towards the city. Bicester Village Outlet is close to M40 Junction 9, about 12 miles north. Blenheim Palace is not far beyond Oxford, at Woodstock. The Chilterns are a similar distance south, with nature reserves at Aston Rowant close to M40 J6 and J5, and plenty of other locations to stroll around and to observe the numerous red kites.
