Ladies and Gentlemen,
You will all of seen the post of the 17th by the NCMD in regard to the ongoing disagreements between four of the regions and certain officers on the Executive Committee.
For the good of our hobby The regions involved have attempted to avoid mud slinging on the public media platforms.
The considered response to this open letter from them was sent to the General Secretary to day and is reproduced below so that you are all aware of it.
Please feel free to copy to your friends and anyone else you feel should be informed.
Brian Vaughan
Secretary Western Region.
“Dear Kevin.
Following your post of an Open Letter on the NCMD website and associated Social Media accounts on the 17th July 2021 we note the following statement “To help clear the air and assure you of our commitment to finding an amicable way forward, the Executive Officers and the 5 other regions would like to make it clear that they would welcome independent binding mediation if that was something the Yorkshire, Western, Midland and Southern regions would consider.”
In response the Yorkshire, Midlands, Western and Southern region’s Chairmen would welcome a face-to-face meeting with the Chairman of the NCMD, the Executive Officers and the other four Regions Chairmen or a representative of each, as per clause 12 of the Constitution, +1 (Scotland, North West, North East, Anglia and a properly elected member from the Central Register). Throughout our discussions we have insisted that meetings held to address the serious issues identified should be face-to-face rather than utilising electronic media, in fact our only “fault” is that we have not attended electronic meetings. The proposed meeting should be held under the chairmanship of an agreed independent arbitrator, preferably with a legal qualification, to achieve legally binding mediation between all parties. Can you please place this on your website and Facebook accounts so that the membership can see that we are trying to resolve the issue. This will ensure that the forward direction and control of our great organisation will once more be where it belongs, in accordance with the Constitution and within the full control of its members.
On behalf of:
Midland Region / Southern Region / Western Region / Yorkshire Region

Your email to me dated 28th May causes some concern. You told me (it is in writing) – Thanks for the update on the HWI which seems to continue to be a winding road, but as you say perseverance is the key. I hope it bears fruit in the future as promised. I have not been involved with the NCMD for over a year now so i am very much out of the loop with its activities so unsure who Kevin is, but i hope he is onside with the HWI. Regards Steve

You do not know what has been going on, but by all means you can come in out of the cold and sit at the table for a face-to-face meeting if you wish when that can be accomplished.

I really hope that is before certain people re-write the Constitution and ruin what was a fine membership organisation.

Of course, as a past Chairman of the NCMD he would never have involved himself with anything so underhand. Would he?

Is it conceivable that the four regions may be trying to bring a sense of order and propriety back into the running of the NCMD?

These volunteers, whom he now denigrates and with whom he has supped and dined with over the years, are just trying to maintain the sort of order enjoyed by himself whilst he was in office. He is clearly unaware of the struggle that the regions have been involved over the lock down period just to get a face-to-face meeting with the rest of the executive.

Steve, more disclosures will soon follow to fill the void in your knowledge

I’m in total agreement With JCM I’ve been a member from the concept of the N.C.M.D. and have always seen the accounts, the problems can arise when some club delegates don’t report back to their members.
In reply to Tom Hall l can assure him that kev Gormon would be more than happy if Digging Deep never posted anything happening in the N.W.Region as all the clubs in our Region know exactly what has happened without having to read the magazine.It is the lack of members from other regions that don’t advise on what’s happening in their region,how’s about it Tom keep kev informed and it’ll be published
There’s two sides to every story like some say,l was Chairman at our club and after 25 years stood down but I’m pleased to say our club is still flourishing, Some people don’t like change, give our new rep’s time but instead of bellyaching support them or get up and involved yourself.

Except the accounts were revealed annually to all the regions and the committee. When people don`t have a hobby to create a “brand” from then you may realise how much the organisation did voluntarily. Now is not the time for them to fracture.

The accounts were never issued to the majority of the membership i.e independents and associates. They could have gone in Digging Deep.Its a secret society that insures people thats all.

The accounts were given out annually so the regions would have had sight of a copy.

Correct. The structure was built on the union model at the time. As things changed and the NCMD didnt, the Central Register represented about 60%+ of the membership yet had no more voting power than a small region. It needs to change and a lot of the old guard wont like that.