One of Brighton's famous residents who described himself as an 'electrician' but who was one of the earliest electrical engineers in Victorian England, a prolific inventor, and designer of the oldest, and still operating, electric passenger railway in the world. The talk will be given by Bill McNaught, Chaiman of the 5 Deans U3A.
A colourful introduction to the wonderful world of our inland waterways with dramatic engineering, unusual architecture, interesting landscapes, historic boats and lots of unusual and quirky features. This talk will be given by Roger Butler, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society.
This talk looks at the story of Shepperton Studios from its foundation in the early days of 'talkies' to its current role as the major production hub for Netflix in the UK. Along the way are the ups and downs of the British Film Industry, and a surprising role in World War Two. The talk will be given by Nick Pollard, Curator of Spelthorne Museum in Staines.
In a change to the orginal programme Colin van Geffen, aviation artist & enthusiast, will give a talk about BEACHCOMBER, one of 760 Sunderland long-range patrol flying boats of which fewer than 10 survive world -wide. BEACHCOMBER's amazing story of survival against the odds holds many surprises.
Talk to be given by Simon Ritchie. The Ordance Survey has been mapping the UK for over 200 years. Until recently they used simple mathematics, theodolities and a network of benchmarks and trig points to achieve one metre accuracy, a triumph of engineering in its day. This network is now redundant and beginning to need conservation, but nobody is picking up that responsibility.
Submitted by twilcock on
Submitted by twilcock on
The talk looks at the invention of linoleum by Frederick Walton in 1864 and his establishment of a factory to produce it in Staines. The different production processes and uses of this once universal floor covering are explained.
Looks at the disaster itself and its aftermath on the environment.
One of England’s most important monastic houses, Merton Priory disappeared completely at the Dissolution in 1538, but its archaeological remains have now been reborn as a uniquely situated museum.
