Plimsoll – The man, the MP and the line

Via Jen Robertson’s research I have become aware of the man behind the famous Plimsoll Line on ships.

He was clearly a fascinating chap and no ordinary campaigner, indeed he was an extraordinary campaigner for the rights of seafarers. The line on ships was indeed the result of his campaigning against the overloading of ships which led to them capsizing. Wikipedia has this to say about him:-

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Plimsoll

It’s interesting to learn that Plimsoll shoes were so named because of the line around them, not because Samuel invented them, which of course he didn’t.

But one aspect of his time in public life, probably more than anything else, singled him out as being a Liberal to his core. The story comes from a book The Plimsoll Sensation: The Great Campaign to Save Lives at Sea by Nicolette Jones

Charles Bradlaugh was an MP who fell foul of Parliament because of his lack of religious beliefs. Elected for Northampton in 1880, he was banished from the House of Commons because he would not say ‘So help me God’. Plimsoll was a very religious man but never the less he wrote to Bradlaugh and The Times newspaper backing the banished MP.

Norman Lamb speaks out about Gosport War Memorial Hospital

Norman Lamb MP

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dr-jane-barton-inquiry-patient-deaths-gosport-hospital-scandal-latest-norman-lamb-a8406951.html

The Independent has the article on its web site – see link above

What a truly shocking series of events

With thanks to Roy Connell for the lead to this posting

Bootle – Pugh lambasts Council over yet more money public being thrown at Strand Shopping Center

Bootle New Strand shopping centre

Following the recent news that Sefton Council intends to throw another £3m+ of public money at the Strand Shopping Center in Bootle the Leader of the opposition on the Council, Cllr. John Pugh has this to say:-

“Having burdened us with £32 M pounds of debt buying the asset, Sefton Council wants to spend another £3.I million pounds this year on their new toy to enable councillors to play “shops”.

The council should concentrate on its day job and stop pretending it’s a player in the risky retail market.

The fact that a year after the purchase of the Strand, it’s having to fix the roof shows how far its out of its depth.

We were told extensive checks were made prior to purchase. Looking at the roof might have been a good idea!

This is embarrassing for the council and wasting the money of hard-pressed, council tax payers.”

Maghull – Frank Hornby Heritage Center is back up and running

Below is a press release from Les French Chairman of the Frank Hornby Trust who manage the Frank Hornby Heritage Center in Maghull’s Meadows Library and Leisure Center:-

‘We are absolutely delighted to announce that the FRANK HORNBY HERITAGE CENTRE is now BACK OPEN FOR VISITS following the completion of the move from the ground floor of Meadows Leisure Centre to our very own dedicated space above the library.

This means that as of NOW, our Heritage Centre, which is the only one in the world solely dedicated to Frank Hornby, his life and his products, is available to everyone during Maghull Library hours.

It is totally FREE to enter during weekdays between 10am and 5pm and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm, just follow the signs from the front entrance.

We hope that we will now be able to hold more events like the open day following the BBC2 programme ‘Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo’ which gave the Heritage Centre and our Town some tremendous publicity.

Some of our trustees have managed to get the display up and running, and whilst there is still some work to do and spaces to fill, despite having more to look at that before, we have plans to further expand the displays.’

‘It is hoped to have an official opening when we are ship-shape and Bristol fashion, so keep in touch via facebook and we’ll keep you updated.

Massive thanks to Mike Woodruff, Meadows Centre Manager, and Sefton Council for the concept, care and realisation of the project which will be a massive boost to our work in commemorating the home town of the World’s Greatest Toymaker, and of course the Trustees of the Frank Hornby Charitable Trust for giving their time and expertise so freely’

‘p.s. If anyone out there has anything associated with Meccano, Hornby, Hornby Dublo or Dinky then please consider lending or giving it to us so that we can share it with everyone. We would particularly love anything that has a family or works connection, he is our most famous ever resident!’

Maghull – Its excellent Wind Orchestra played Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall yesterday

What an excellent concert yesterday at the Phil’ and to a large audience too. Congratulations to the organisers and indeed to the whole orchestra, they do the Town proud 40 years on since they were first formed.

They were originally known as Maghull RBL [Royal British Legion] Town Band and were formed in 1978. Now with well over 100 active members they play concerts all over Merseyside and beyond. And they still stick to their fundamental values of being a community orchestra with no fees, no audition and any ability. Oh and they sound great too.

If Northern can’t run trains then West Coast can!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tfD44iwqs4&t=34s

The video is on You Tube – see link above

So as the Northern Trains franchise fails in a shambolic way just look what is happening on the Lakes Line (Oxenholme to Windermere) where locals have taken things into their own hands and embarrassed the railway industry and Department for Transport wholesale.

Reminds me a bit of the Ealing Comedy Titfield Thunderbolt film