1st Newsletter,  1st June 1959

In association with the World Methodist Council.

Founder Secretary: Rev. A. W. Shepherd, G3NGF

CIRCULAR LETTER No. 1.  JUNE 1959

Dear Members - and non-members too,

At one time I used to think that the remark "time flies" was a queer remark, since, I argued, the speed of time is always the same. As queer as it sounds, I must say that in these days I can better appreciate the illusion caused by being busy and interested in one's work. Only that, and the slowness at which I seem to be travelling getting through jobs that have to be done, can I offer to explain the long silence since I sent out the First Preliminary List last October. It was my hopeful intention to be able to issue the First Annual Register last December, but unfortunately those hopes could not be realised. Last September I left Huddersfield South Circuit to take up duties here in the Mansfield Central Circuit. Now I have six instead of four Churches and there are in them more activities than were in my Huddersfield Churches. Of course it took time to get settled in. Then, after passing the R.A.E.last May, I felt it was priority No. 1 as far as radio was concerned, to pass my Morse. G5OW kindly gave me three 15 minute weekly lessons on 40 mtrs from September before taking my test again on December 19th. I am glad I passed then, having failed my first premature attempt in August. I received my licence and call-sign G3NGF the same day. Christmas was a busy period. Then I struggled hard with a Top Band rig to get on the air, but without success. I was glad when a new found amateur friend, G3IHA, came to my rescue presenting me with a QRP table topper for all bands except 80! There were the usual teething troubles. Since then I have been very busy in the spare time I allocate for radio work preparing for the Conference Exhibition Station GB3BMC. Well I hope by now you all will have forgiven me for this delay. I assure you that no effort is being spared to establish this World Methodist Radio Fellowship.

The story of the growth of this W.M.A.R. Fellowship is a long one, but here are the main points in the story. G3LQK, the Huddersfield South Circuit Methodist Radio Club was officially founded in my Huddersfield Manse on Sunday January 20th, 1957; licensed G3LQK March 25th 1957; officially went on the air June 26th 1957. Wamrac was officially founded in the same house twelve months afterwards on Saturday January 18th 1958, with the commencement of the World Register of Methodist Radio Amateurs and Clubs comprising the names of the Methodist Amateurs present, viz. G3KRL Jack Schofield, then of Batley; G3EJT Arthur Hogley, Holmfirth, Huddersfield; G3QJ Sam Dunn, Riddlesden, Keighley; and for G3LQK myself as its Founder President. Wamrac was founded directly as a result of the response of the World Methodist Council, through its English Secretary the Rev. Dr. E.B. Perkins, to a communication I sent in September 1957 to the Secretaries or Presidents and certain other leaders of the various Methodist and sister bodies in the world. Consequently the World Methodist Council at its meeting on November 20th, 1957 decided to invite me to pioneer this work in their name. Our aim is two-fold: (1) Find all the Methodist Radio Amateurs and Short Wave Listeners in the world and invite them to join Wamrac to introduce them to each other; and (2) Encourage the establishment where possible of Circuit or Church Amateur Radio Clubs like G3LQK (approved by the G.P.O.) Owing to the stringent regulations governing amateur radio, it was decided that it would be advisable to establish an organisation to develop and direct this new project. Hence Wamrac was founded to be officially run 'In association with the World Methodist Council'.

The  Annual Methodist Conference held in July 1957 at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne received the following report of this new work in the World Methodist Council committee Report:-

"AMATEUR RADIO -The suggestion has been made to the Committee that steps should betaken to link together Methodist Amateur Radio Enthusiasts. The growth of what are known technically as "Hams" is far more extensive than people generally may realise. Already a number of Methodists who are interested in this field have indicated their support for such a scheme. At present it is only in its beginning but that is encouraging. Particulars can be had by communication with the Secretary for this scheme, the Rev. Arthur W. Shepherd."

I was pleasantly surprised but naturally delighted when I read that in the Conference Agenda. The latest development in the story of the growth of this W.M.A.R. Fellowship is that my being licensed opened the way for me to apply for an amateur license in the name of WAMRAC H.Q. This was granted on March 17th 1959. Thus the Methodist Church becomes the first Church denomination to hold as such through WAMRAC an amateur license. G3NJB will be the centre of this W.M.A.R. Fellowship. The final bit of news is that on March 23rd 1959 we commenced the Methodist Short Wave Listeners Section of WAMRAC with the enrolment of Alf Hart of Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire. We now have 3 members. The annual subscription is 7/6d. (U.S.A. $1.50), and there we must leave that story for the time being.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 1958.