Introduction The Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies (SFMES) was founded in 1970 by a group of model engineers to look after the interests of clubs and societies in the south of England. Since then the Federation has expanded greatly with affiliated clubs and societies across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. It is administered by an annually elected committee of 12 persons. In its early days the Federation was mainly concerned with boiler testing but has since diversified into Health and Safety matters and represents its members on other committees concerned with model engineer ing. The Federation covers a very wide range of model engineering activities including locomotives, road vehicles, steam and internal combustion engines, boats, aircraft, clocks, machine tools and many other hobbies undertaken at home. Insurance With 40 years experience, prior to 2004 the Federation brokered its own insurance in conjunction with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. Since the change of regulations brought about by the introduction of the Financial Services Authority, administration of the insurance scheme is now managed by Walker Midgley Insurance Brokers, a company with considerable experience in specialist insurance.

Clubs and Societies The Federation Club and Society Insurance Scheme has a range of sections which provides the majority, if not all, the insurance covers a club or society will require. It is an annual policy and sections may be taken as required. The policy sections available are; • Property Damage • Business Interruption • Road Trailers • Public/Products Liability • Employers Liability • Personal Liability for Club/Society officials

• Personal Accident • Money • Directors and Officers Liability

• Boiler Testers Personal Liability

Individual Members The Federation Members Insurance Scheme has a range of sections which provides the majority if not all of the insurance covers a modeller/model engineer will need. The scheme is available to those of all ages with no upper or lower age limit. The policy sections available are; • Models • Ancillary Equipment • Road Trailers • Personal Accident • Home Workshop • Products Liability • Public Liability • Garden Railway/Portable Track Liability

Southern Federation of Model

Engineering Societies

Updated June 2014

Further Information For further information regarding insurance please contact; Walker Midgley Insurance Brokers Yorkshire Bank Chambers Fargate Sheffield England S1 2HD www.walkermidgley.co.uk Tel: 0114 250 2770 Boiler Examination and Testing SFMES provides full information for clubs and societies enabling them to carry out boiler testing and certification of model locomotives up to 15 inch gauge and all other models up to 6 inch scale. A Code of Practice is available detailing requirements for boiler testing. All necessary paperwork is also available including hydraulic and steam test certificates and record cards. These documents are accepted country wide by all clubs, societies and other organisations including the Northern Association of Model Engineers, Midland Federation of Model Engineers, the 7¼” Gauge Society and other organisations. The Federation works closely with brokers Walker Midgley and the

insurance company, Royal & Sun Alliance on technical and policy matters. Health and Safety Increased attention to Health and Safety matters over the years has made this an important part of the Federation’s business, with clubs and societies being alerted to new legislation. Main topics covered include the following Health and Safety documentation; • Fire safety, • Pressure Systems Safety • Pressure Equipment Regulations. • Trees Insurance cover Rallies Social events at which like-minded people gather together to enjoy a much loved hobby, the Federation holds two rallies each year; a Spring Rally in May and an Autumn Rally in September. Loco-motives, road and agricultural vehicles including tract ion engines, steam wagons and any other type of road vehicle are very welcome at these events. Marine models are also invited to participate when the host club or society has appropriate facilities. The Federation endeavours to hold its rallies at a different location each time and clubs are encouraged to offer their facilities for this event.

Saturday is Rally Day and, to accommodate visitors who travel some distance and those with caravans, the event often runs on into the Sunday. The Australian Association of Live Steamers (AALS) Trophy is presented for annual competition at the Autumn Rally and is awarded to the locomotive judged to be the best of Commonwealth design in any gauge from 2½ - 7¼ inch. The winner retains the trophy for one year. Newsletter The Federation publishes a newsletter four times a year with the title Southern Federation Newsletter . This attractive magazine provides current i n f o r ma t i o n a b o u t t h e Federation and its activities. It also carries details of affiliated club and society changes of officers. A calendar of club events is published with the aim of keeping everyone in touch. Exhibitions The Federation is represented with committee members and a display stand at all the prominent exhibitions and many rallies, giving clubs and societies and their members access to the Federation committee so that matters can be discussed face to face. Website The Federat ion webs i te : www.sfmes.co.uk has as its main purpose the provision of up-to-da te i n fo rma t ion abou t developments and currently carries the following information: • Constitution of the Federation, • Contact links for principal committee officers by way of e-mail addresses,

• Details of events including rallies and other gatherings,

• Copies of newsletters previously published,

• List of publications and how to obtain them,

• No t i c e s a n d u r g e n t announcements.

Publications As part of the service offered by The Federation, publications include the following: Directory: updated every five years, this details all affiliated club and society sites, their location, facilities, address and post code for satnav users. New clubs and society sites are identified in a Directory Supplement. Test Certificates: hydraulic and steam boiler test certificates, Written Scheme of Examination certificates and record cards. The Examination & Testing of Miniature Steam Boilers: this essential book for clubs and societies, boiler testers and members specifies all requirements and documentation relating to the examination and testing of boilers. Information Sheets: are one of the methods used by the Federation to distribute information that should be retained for future reference. Produced as and when appropriate, Information Sheets are issued in the form of numbered bulletins that can be retained in a ring binder. Topics c o v e r e d i n c l u d e t h o s e previously listed under the heading of Health and Safety plus the following: • Disability Discrimination Act, • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act,

• Performing Rights Society Licences

• Data Protection Act • Fee for intervention by the HSE Annual General Meeting An Annual General Meeting is held in March. Every effort is made to hold it at a different venue of interest to model engineers each year to facilitate discussion and debate concerning future developments.

For the convenience of clubs and societies and their members, wherever possible the venue alternates between north and south of the UK. When available, reduced price (or free) admission to the venue is arranged for delegates. Junior Trophy Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies / Polly Model Engineering Award encourages junior members of clubs and societies to participate in the activity of model engineering. To this end a trophy is presented at the AGM to one or more juniors who have been r e commended a s wo r t hy recipients by their club or society, entries being judged by the Federation committee. The trophy is accompanied by a voucher generously donated by Polly Model Engineering Ltd. Changes in 2014 Since it’s foundation in 1970, SFMES has operated without any legal status. That is now changing as SFMES converts from an informal group to a company without share capital but limited by guarantee (CLG). The change means that we will acquire a recognised legal status and the Committee will be relieved of personal liabilities in

the event of a claim against the Federation exceeding or not being covered by Insurance.

At the AGM in March 2014 it was agreed that the new company will come into existence on 1st October 2014. Affiliates o f t he i n fo rma l g roup (organisations not their individual members) are being invited to underwrite a guarantee of just £1 to be founder members of the new CLG with all affiliation renewals from 1st March 2015 being for the new company. And Finally…….. You have now read about the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies, the services it offers and the support it provides for its members - activities that it has been doing for over 40 years. The Federation is expert in its field. Join to take advantage of all that is offered. Further information and an application form are available from the website: www.sfmes.co.uk or from any committee member at an exhibition or rally.

Updated by; Peter Squire

Secretary SFMES June 2014