Society Honorary Life Members – A History of Achievement
Over the years the Society has been pleased to recognise a number of people for exceptional services to the 009 Society or 009 modelling. In 2009 the Society committee agreed that the number of surviving life members should be limited to 25. As of April 2024 there are 17 Honorary Life Members, though, sadly, others who have been awarded life membership are no longer with us.
Here is a list of the current Honorary Life Members, plus their citations which give the reason for the award.
Andrew Hastie (by 2001)
In Grateful Recognition of Efforts to Promote 009 Modelling in General and the 009 Society in Particular as a Pioneering Manufacturer and Retailer of Appropriate Products.
Jim Hurley (1984)
In Recognition of the Artwork That Has Inspired Narrow Gauge Modelling and its Particular Benefit to the 009 Society.
Peter Kirkby (by 2001)
In Grateful Recognition of Efforts to Promote 009 Modelling in General and the 009 the Society in Particular through Long and Distinguished Service on the Committee.
Paul Towers (1998)
In Recognition of Extensive Work in Promoting Interest in and Publicising Small Scale Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling.
Dr. Stephen Sullivan (2001)
In Grateful Recognition of the Promotion of 009 Modelling in General and the 009 the Society in Particular Through the Construction and Display of Exhibition Standard Models and the Considerable Effort Devoted to the Production of Two Editions of the Society Handbook.
Paul Windle (2005)
In recognition of sustained innovation, improvement and inspiration in the design, construction and detailing of OO9 locomotive models and for maintaining a consistent high standard throughout all aspects of model making.
Alan Rolfe (2007)
In Recognition of Services to the 009 Society and its Members as Membership Secretary.
Mick Thornton (2008)
In Grateful Recognition of your Promotion of 009 Modelling in General and The 009 Society in Particular, by Dedicated Reportage of Society Events which raised the profile of Members’ Days, work as Assistant Editor and production and marketing of CD Photo Discs.
Ted Polet (2009)
For inspirational modelling over a long period of time and for being an ambassador for the Society across Europe.
John and Jane Jacobs (2012)
In recognition of thirty years of exhibiting many fine 009 layouts in the UK and across Europe demonstrating and promoting the benefits of 009 modelling to the public at home and abroad.
Ian Turner (2012)
In recognition of many years of support for the 009 Society in particular help, advice and technical and engineering support for the Members’ Sales operation both in front of and behind the scenes.
Stan Williams (2019)
In recognition of many years promoting and supporting both the 009 Society and 009 modelling, demonstrating and exhibiting modelling at its best and for organising many AGMs and exhibitions on behalf of the 009 Society.
David Gander (2019)
In recognition of many years promoting and supporting both the 009 Society and 009 modelling, including serving as Chairman, Trade Liaison Officer and 009 News Editor as well as demonstrating and exhibiting 009 modelling at its very best.
John Thorne (2021)
In recognition of many years of being a faithful ambassador for the Society at countless exhibitions in Britain and overseas where, through his personal warmth and enthusiasm, he has given many Members their first welcoming experience of 009 modelling, supplemented by much long standing support to the Society Sales organisation and founding and running the erstwhile Surrey Narrow Gauge Modellers group.
Geoff Bowyer (2021)
In recognition of his service and wise counsel as Treasurer to the Society for over a decade, notably guiding the Society through the important process of becoming a Limited Company while keeping a firm grip on the finances, supplemented by years of running the SWOONS Area Group and organising their annual Open Day at Ilton.
Charles Insley (2022)
In recognition of his long service to the Society as both Treasurer and Secretary, bringing fresh and well-considered perspective to matters, while also promoting 009 through building a substantial number of layouts, covering a variety of subjects, that have allowed him to interact with and inspire others, particularly younger members, to develop their own modelling styles and participate widely in the Society.
Honorary Life Members, now Deceased
The following members were awarded Honorary Life Membership, but unfortunately are no longer with us.
Derek Naylor (by 2001)
In Recognition of Pioneering Work in Small Scale Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling and the Inspiration This Has Provided to Others.
Philip Hancock (by 2001)
In Recognition of Pioneering Work in Small Scale Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling and the Inspiration This Has Provided to Others.
Brian Guilmant (2001)
As Proposed and Approved at the Annual General Meeting in May 2001 to mark 25 Years Continuous Service on the Committee and in Grateful Recognition of the Promotion of 009 Modelling in General and the 009 Society in Particular through Exceptional Efforts with the Society Secondhand Sales Stand.
Roger Christian (2011)
In recognition of twenty five years supporting and promoting the 009 Society and 009 Modelling in general, by contributing a considerable body of work to both Society and commercial publications and by publicly demonstrating and exhibiting 009 modelling at its very best.
Bill Luty (2003)
In Grateful Recognition of the Effort and Support Given to The 009 Society for Many Years, particularly in the Distribution of the Society’s Magazine, The “009 News”.
Howard Martin (2017)
In recognition of 25 years of Narrow Gauge South West and promoting the benefits of narrow gauge modelling.
Garry Whiting (2008)
In Grateful Recognition of your Status as a Founder Member of The 009 Society and of your Dedicated and Enthusiastic Support of all Society Activities, particularly 009 News Distribution, Members’ Sales and Members’ Days, both as a Member and Twice Serving as Chairman.
In addition we should mention David Mander. He passed away before the first Honorary Life Certificates were printed in 2001, so never had the chance to receive one.
So that is the whole list and what a fantastic contribution has been made by all the Honorary Life Members to the Society and to 009 modelling for which we should be very grateful.
There is no very formal nomination procedure. A Society member who would like to nominate a candidate contacts a committee member (generally the Chairman) with their reasons for doing so. The Chairman then passes the nomination around the Committee (usually at the January meeting in preparation for presentation at the AGM). All nominations are considered and if there is agreement, the certificate is printed, framed and the presentation is made.