THE RMARgazine

Early Beginnings The first RMARG newsletter was initially instigated by committee member George Rance back in 1992 as a single sheet newsletter produced for the benefit of the RMARG membership, this was first titled the "AhMargazine" by George. Though no formal publication schedule was established it gave the group the very earliest beginnings of the fine publication we have today.
	A Turning Point. Nigel Dawe became assistant editor in 1993 and, assisted by his wife Verona, helped to enlarge the newsletter by the use of pertinent photographs and articles, and the newsletter soon developed and grew. Nigel's efforts changed the emphasis of the publication and moved it away from a single news sheet towards the idea of a proper professional magazine that would involve the whole membership. By the time George retired from work in 1996 and moved to East Anglia to be near his family, the newsletter had grown to some 28 pages per edition and was being published on a more regular basis, it now deserved its "magazine" title.
A Change Of Title The current editor, Nigel Dawe, took over all aspects of its production in 1996, determined to move the magazine onward and upward by increasing its pages and content and standardising on a presentational format recognised by all. It also reflected the expansion of group projects and the diverse interest's of the expanded membership. With this in mind the title was changed to the much more logical RMARGazine, this being the magazine of RMARG and using the initial letters of our title The Ridgeway Military & Aviation Research Group (RMARG)
	A Change In Technology Initially the newsletter was produced using "paste-up" techniques but later using photos professionally converted to "half-tones", then all processed to film prior to being sent to our printer. This old fashioned method had to suddenly change and the editor had to park up his trusty word processor whilst the editorial department was loaned a PC, courtesy member Colin Shewry, at which point the editor tumbled headlong into the 21st century and embarked on a precipitously steep learning curve, but still managed to produce the next edition of RMARGazine on time. The loaned computer has now been returned and a new one obtained, professional programmes acquired along with a quality scanner and the magazine is now produced completely electronically twice a year, Spring and Autumn, up to the point of film to print. For the past couple of editions the editorial department has been able to produce members articles from floppy disc, including photographs, and has now embarked, initially against the editors better judgement, into the world of the "Internet" and "E-Mails". No excuse now for not producing the best club magazine, so long as the membership (or anybody else) sends us the material to put in it.
The Future is "Digital " The world is an ever changing place and technology has moved on again . Today Microsoft word and cut and paste are the new modern buzz word. The picture has given way to the JPG image and Gif or flash animation are an everyday thing. Word processors are now part of the " Digital layout" . In 2005 Nigel Dawe and Verona after many years of editing the RMArgazine handed over the reins to Tom Bailey who is keen to see this fine publication thrive and prosper. Over the coming issues I am sure we will see some changes as the Rmargazine become a technologically better magazine but with the same high standard of articles set by Nigel and Verona Dawe
	The Future The RMARGazine is now enjoyed not only by group members but is sent free to a number of well respected military organisations both in the UK and in other countries . At present the RMargazine is not available on line but with the new emphasis on technology the move is a future possibility . We invite articles not just from our membership but from any source that can add to our knowledge of our areas history and with many ex veterans world wide this internet site serves as a point of contact for the RMARGazine.
Articles for submission should be Rich Text format (RTF) and graphics in TIFF format Articles for submission can be posted to Tom Bailey 1 Glenn Miller Close Welford Berkshire rg20 8hf Or by email to Rmargwelford@aol.com

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