Guildford Model Engineering Society

Public Events 2021

About our open days

Miniature train rides on both our raised and ground level tracks.

Train rides are £5 for a group of up to 6 people.

Garden Railways in operation.

Refreshments and Toilets available.

Picnic space available.

Last entry to site 30 minutes before the published end time.

Entry by Pre-Booking only please (free).

We have a short video on YouTube, showing our revised operating procedures.

Booking

Pre-booking gives you free access to the GMES site. Train rides and refreshments can be bought as required during your visit.

A booking link (to Eventbrite) will be included in each entry of our list of events (above), once the event has been confirmed.

Please book one of the time periods shown. You can arrive anytime in that period. If you arrive a little early or late, just come on in, but please don't arrive within 30 minutes of the end of the event as we may stop running trains before you get a ride.

You do not need to print-out your ticket as staff will not be handling paper, but do ensure that you bring your booking reference number.

If you find that you are unable to come to an event, please cancel your booking on the Eventbrite site so that it can be released to someone else.

Covid-19

We have reviewed our usual operating methods and have made a number of changes so that we can run our trains in compliance with the prevailing Government advice relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, and reduce the risks to both our visitors and ourselves.

Following the Government update on 9th September 2020, we ask guests not to visit in groups of more than six people to help protect themselves and each other when visiting. We can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups.

We will continue to monitor Government guidance closely.

Please bear in mind that the majority of the folk operating the railways are likely to be in your parent's generation, so please treat them with the same care and concern that you would give to your own parents.

Prevailing Covid-19 guidance on protection applies - please use face coverings on the trains, and maintain social distancing and your group whilst on site, etc, as though you were using public transport or going into shops, cafes, etc.

Covid Track & Trace

GMES is supporting the Government's Test and Trace service which requires that names and telephone numbers of visitors are made available to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. We will therefore hold the details for 21 days in order to meet this requirement. If you do NOT wish your information to be available in this way, please e-mail events@gmes.org.uk

GMES is also displaying a unique QR code which can be scanned with the NHS Covid-19 App if you have downloaded it to your mobile phone.

Train Rides

In order to maintain 2m social distancing between the passengers and the train crew we will only be carrying individual "family unit" sized groups of people in the centre of the trains.

The traditional card tickets bought from the Ticket Office will not be used. Instead, individual "family units" of up to six passengers will be asked to pay via contactless card payment.

Trains will be cleaned between rides before the passengers are admitted to the platforms.

Refreshments

Hot & cold drinks and pre-packed biscuits will be available from the workshop entrance (not in the clubhouse). Payment by contactless card only.

Toilets

We now have a one way route and a "one out, one in" policy. Enter via the track side door, exit via the main room double doors. If you find that there's already someone in the toilet you intend using, please wait outside until they've left. Please use a face covering while indoors.

Garden Railways

Our garden railways will be operating. Please maintain social distancing along the viewing fence.

Clubhouse

The clubhouse will be closed to "gatherings" and will not available for sheltering from the weather.

Car Parking

At present, we can't offer on-site parking. There is a small public car park right next to our grounds. If that's full, try along London Road or one of the car parks near the Spectrum.

Photography and Filming

Please be aware that you may appear in photographs or videos taken on these premises. These may be published in our Newsletter, on our website, on Facebook, in our publicity material or elsewhere.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted at our events provided that they are kept on a short lead at all times and that you remove any mess. We will provide drinking water if required.

Private Parties

The Stoke Park Railway at GMES is a popular venue for children's birthday parties and family or other celebrations. We provide exclusive use of the trains on our ground level miniature passenger-carrying railway for up to three hours and we also offer the use of the clubhouse and grounds for your own catering and other activities. We usually try to run two trains, one of which will be hauled by a steam locomotive (subject to availability).

Party days are strictly limited to about ten Saturdays from March to October and are generally decided towards the end of the previous year. The cost for 2020 is £280, and a 50% deposit is payable on booking.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, all parties for 2020 are cancelled. Party dates for 2021, when and if confirmed, will initially be offered to those who booked for 2020.

More info and contact details in this document: Party info 2020.pdf

Membership

Non-members with an interest in joining the Society are welcome. Please see About Us.