Miscellaneous
50 years of Goring Gap Local History Society (Janet Hurst, Journal 2016)
On the 50th anniversary of the founding of Goring Gap Local History Society, Janet Hurst looks back over the highlights. Early activities included research, talks and outings and, after only a year, an exhibition. This was followed by a number of later exhibitions, notably the World War I Centenary Exhibition in 2014. Publications have included journals since 1998, illustrated books and guided walk leaflets. The Society now has an Archive Room in the Community Centre. In more recent years the Transport History Group has lead many outings, and has been of significance in other ways, not least the placing of a Blue Plaque in honour of boatbuilder Sam Saunders on what was his boathouse, but is now the Royal Mail Sorting Office.
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Shocking fatalities on the Great Western Railway (Mike Hurst, Journal 2013)
Three graves in the churchyard at Lower Basildon relate to men killed on the nearby railway. One was illegally walking to work along the railway in 1878 when he was struck by the London-Penzance express. The other two were working as platelayers on the railway in 1897 when they were struck. They were unlucky: three trains arrived simultaneously at the place where they were working and they were unable to avoid all three.
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Empire Day in the Goring Gap (Alan Winchcomb, Journal 2013)
Empire Day was introduced following Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897, but the first Empire Day did not take place until 24 May 1902, after the Queen's death. The idea was to remind children that not only were they part of the British Empire, but that its future depended on them. By 1916 70,000 UK schools were marking the event. A Goring parish magazine from 1930 describes the event, which was attended by local Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies, schoolchildren, members of the British Legion and others. By the 1950s the Empire was in decline. The name was changed to British Commonwealth Day, and later the date was changed. These days few people remember it.
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50 years of Goring Gap Local History Society (Janet Hurst, Journal 2016)
On the 50th anniversary of the founding of Goring Gap Local History Society, Janet Hurst looks back over the highlights. Early activities included research, talks and outings and, after only a year, an exhibition. This was followed by a number of later exhibitions, notably the World War I Centenary Exhibition in 2014. Publications have included journals since 1998, illustrated books and guided walk leaflets. The Society now has an Archive Room in the Community Centre. In more recent years the Transport History Group has lead many outings, and has been of significance in other ways, not least the placing of a Blue Plaque in honour of boatbuilder Sam Saunders on what was his boathouse, but is now the Royal Mail Sorting Office.
Download
Shocking fatalities on the Great Western Railway (Mike Hurst, Journal 2013)
Three graves in the churchyard at Lower Basildon relate to men killed on the nearby railway. One was illegally walking to work along the railway in 1878 when he was struck by the London-Penzance express. The other two were working as platelayers on the railway in 1897 when they were struck. They were unlucky: three trains arrived simultaneously at the place where they were working and they were unable to avoid all three.
Download
Empire Day in the Goring Gap (Alan Winchcomb, Journal 2013)
Empire Day was introduced following Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897, but the first Empire Day did not take place until 24 May 1902, after the Queen's death. The idea was to remind children that not only were they part of the British Empire, but that its future depended on them. By 1916 70,000 UK schools were marking the event. A Goring parish magazine from 1930 describes the event, which was attended by local Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies, schoolchildren, members of the British Legion and others. By the 1950s the Empire was in decline. The name was changed to British Commonwealth Day, and later the date was changed. These days few people remember it.
Download