Sir Daniel Gooch group to visit Alnwick?

As you may be aware, the ABTRA group (www.abtra.wordpress.com), are attending the Aln Valley Railway Summer Fair this Sunday (30.7.17) to raise funds and awareness of the group. 
The ABTRA stand at the Bedlington Picnic on 1st July 2017.

Part of this groups intended purpose  is to raise awareness in the local area of Sir Daniel; born in Bedlington in 1816, and who as we are beginning to broadcast more regularly, and who had many great achievements. 

It’s hoped that the new leaflets will be ready in time for launch at the AVR stand on Sunday, and hopefully begin the process of raising awareness of Sir Daniel in his native Northumberland. 

Please come along and meet our Committee Members on Sunday, details available on the ABTRA blog: http://wp.me/p7JgS7-3R. 

Thanks, RH.

The Swindon Hooter

A common sound at many industrial places of the past was the sound of a ‘hooter’, a deep sounding whistle to wake up workers for a shift or sounding the end of the shifts, from collieries, shipyards and, in this case, Swindon Works. 

The works at Swindon and Sir Daniel have close connection, with Sir Daniel being involved in the selection of the site at little over 175 years ago! To mark the anniversary, a replica ‘hooter’ was manufactured by Colin Hatch (article and credit for photo). The replicas were sounded by John Walter, the man who last sounded the originals and the first for the replicas (BBC Article on the Swindon Hooters) to hear them, please click the link here: Swindon Hooters, YouTube clip.

Thanks, RH.

Gooch200 as part of ABTRA

Today is the first anniversary of ABTRA, the group which is proposing to raise awareness of Sir Daniel Gooch in his hometown of Bedlington, Northumberland, also home to the world famous Bedlington Terrier. Please see the ABTRA Anniversary blog post for more info!

Thanks, RH.

Micro Museum for Gooch in Bedlington?

From discussions by ABTRA Committee Members, we are looking into the possibility of a micro Museum in Bedlington, Northumberland dedicated to Sir Daniel Gooch and his family (several of his family members had Railway connections). Please see the ABTRA Projects – July 2017 blog post for more information. 

This museum would be ideally located somewhere near the Grapes public house in Bedlington, which was the Gooch family home, Sir Daniel Gooch having been born in a now demolished property on the opposite side of the road. 

Sir Daniel had an important part to play in the fledging Great Western Railway, by becoming its Locomotive Superintendent, and later its Chairman. He also chose the site of Swindon Works, and by doing so founded the modern town of Swindon. 

Quite a life and thus is only a small part of what he achieved! Please check back soon to find out our latest progress. 

Thanks, RH.