radio events, general events, or events involving M0INI.
This years summer Red Rose Rally will be on Sunday 16th August 2026 from 10am until 2pm at Mather Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PR. For more information on the Red Rose rally, please see the West Manchester Radio Clubs website.
Unfortunately, I will be travelling back from my summer holidays on Cornwall that day, so will sadly miss my own clubs summer rally.
Today I had a very enjoyable day with friends from the West Manchester Radio club at the Lancashire Mining Museum at the former Astley colliery which closed in 1970 celebrating museums on the air.
I am pictured making the first contact using special event call sign GB0PIT to another museum, the GB1TT “Turton Tower” museum, operated by Bolton Wireless Club.
With the sun out, and it being a baking hot day, I even managed a cream tea for my lunch, and an ice cream afterwards. Very enjoyable and reasonably priced too with a coffee included.
Here are some photos of the winding engines and other mining equipment including a rescue winder with an eight cylinder Gardener diesel engine, (I have never seen one before), and that largest winding engine left in existence that is still running…
Friends from West Manchester Radio Club all working as a team to make the event possible…
In previous years, as you all well know, I have been involved with the Scouts JOTA, however, I have never been involved in a MOTA (Museums On The Air). Given my late father’s background working for a company servicing mine equipment, it was about time I got involved with a coal pit museum.
MOTA, this year will be held on two weekends in June, the Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June, and also Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2026. Link to the RSGB website.
My own radio club, the West Manchester Radio Club, each year activate the Lancashire Mining Museum at the old Astley pit, just off the A580 East Lancashire road, and operating with the special event call sign GB0PIT.
As a club we have six members operating two radios, HF, and VHF/UHF. Radios and antennas yet to be decided.
Due to other family commitments, I can only get involved in one date, Saturday 20th June, which I am looking forward to next month.
Sunday 17th August 2025 sees West Manchester Radio Club host the summer radio rally called “Red Rose Rally”.
This year, even though it is still at the same location, there is now better (or more improved) disabled access. Ask a member of the club upon arrival.
All the usual traders will be there, along with a bring and buy, and the usual cafe for a tea, coffee or breakfast.
Reserve the date for your amateur radio diary, 17th August 2025.
West Manchester Radio Club‘s summer radio rally called the “Red Rose Summer Rally” will be on Sunday 17th August 2025 at Mather Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ.
The doors open to the public at 10am, (until 2pm).
More information on the West Manchester Radio Club website’s rally page.
Last night, at the West Manchester Radio Club’s annual general meeting, I was awarded the “Paul Sargeant” services to club award for my continued service over the last four years for being the club secretary.
I am very proud to receive this award from our club President, Les Jackson G4HZJ (left), myself Mark Smith M0INI (right). It means so much to me for receiving this special award.
When I took over, there was very little previous history due to COVID, and I had to piece many things together, and bring some stability to the club’s admin. I served under two Presidents, firstly Stan Batchelor M1HLL, then for the last year, Les Jackson G4HZJ, supporting them both for their committee meetings, annual general meetings, and even a extra ordinary general meeting, further supporting a minor change to the club’s constitution.
I have not stood for re-election as my circumstances have changed, however, I have loved my time as club secretary, and I hope to support the new secretary Dennis Anderson G6YBC in my old role. I intend to remain a loyal member of this club for many years to come.
Photo kindly courtesy of Tony Adams G7OHA.
Today was the West Manchester Radio Clubs Red Rose Rally. Over 250 people attended the event, which was judged a success despite it being in an unfortunate smaller venue that cannot be helped. The club is working on this for a larger and affordable venue.
As secretary of the club, I arrived just before 10am, and offered my services to cover any job position to relieve people allowing them to take a break. I managed to get involved in taking the money on the door, selling raffle tickets, folding the raffle tickets, clearing up used cups and plates, sorting out the car parking issues, asking vendors to keep the isles clear, helping on the bring and buy. At 1pm, I did the announcement of the draw, thanking everyone for coming, and inviting Dave Wilson from the RSGB to draw the raffle tickets. Like everyone else running the rally, a busy day for all.
The main raffle prize, a Yaesu FT70D, was won and collected on the day, and the 2nd prize of a £20 cheque and cap from our sponsor, was won by a newly licensed amateur who only passed his foundation level exam this week on Wednesday..!
I did manage to take a break myself in order to enjoy one of the delicious bacon baps. And, there may be every truth in the rumour that an hour later I participated in trying one of the sausage baps too. A big thank you to the kitchen staff for the presentation of the food.
And lastly, a big thank you to all the volunteer members of the West Manchester Radio Club for helping out and making the rally possible.
Next month sees that winter radio rally for my radio club, the West Manchester Radio Club and will be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025 from 10am onward.
Due to work being carried out in the usual hall, there will be a change of venue, and the Red Rose Rally will now be held at Mather Hall (Postcode: WN7 2PJ) instead of the usual St Josephs Hall. However, please use the same car park.
Personally, I am very interested in the 27MHz / PMR users meeting, however, full details of the radio rally are on the West Manchester Radio Clubs website at: Red Rose Rally.
I understand that the trader tables at this years Red Rose Rally are 5ft not 6ft, due to the venue only being able to supply 5ft tables, however, the good news is that the price for a table is the same price.
Last night, I enjoyed a brilliant night at the West Manchester Radio Club‘s Christmas Party. Every year, my club puts on a tickets only Christmas Party where we all have a get together, have a lovely buffet and enjoy a quiz. At the end, the ticket price includes a random draw for a bottle of something for you to take away. Although, I never seem to win the whisky..!
For the last three years, being the Secretary, I have stepped up and done a quiz with a range of categories to make everyone have a jolly good think. As it is only for fun, the club provides a box of chocolates for the winning team. This year, the winning team scored 42 out of 50, the worst team, ah hem, 11..!
The buffet we enjoyed was organised by Janet LePuy (thank you) with caterers T&T Sargeants from Leigh who supplied a lovely spread of food, and plenty too..!
Here are some Christmas party pictures taken courtesy of Peter Nutt G4WLI. Thanks Peter.
If you are into amateur radio, and live in the north west of the UK, then you really need to think about joining this very socially active radio club, it is well worth the membership fee and effort of coming down to the club shack. Oh, and you don’t always have to wear a Christmas jumper..!
