TRANSPORT HISTORY GROUP
Transport History Group
The villages of Goring and Streatley have been shaped by modes of travel - from ancient trackways, horse-drawn waggons, stage coaches and motor vehicles, to the river and railways, transport features strongly in the history of Goring and Streatley. The Group has made history too, by arranging Goring's first ever Blue Plaque (for Sam Saunders, the founder of Saunders-Roe) as well as the first steam train to stop here since the 1960s.
The Transport History Group (THG) is open to any member interested in the history of transport and incurs no extra subscription. Those who have signed up receive details of all the outings and a regular illustrated newsletter.
How does it work?
Members keep in touch by email, phone and letter. Activities cover all forms of transport including rivers, canals, sea, road, rail and air. Ten monthly outings are usually arranged each year and most trips use public transport, starting from Goring and Streatley Station. Sometimes travel is by minibus and/or shared cars. Venues include:
- Transport and industrial archaeology museums
- Preserved railways
- Old boats and planes
Members pay as they go on each outing, often at preferential group rates for both travel and any entry charges.
Recent past outings have included: a guided tour of the Farnborough Air Sciences Park, a walking tour of Chimneys and Tunnels along the Thames, and an outing to the Black Country Living Museum.
Programme of Visits
Our first visit of 2020 is to the Royal Mews, with an option to go on to the George IV Exhibition at the Queen's Gallery) on Wednesday 19 February. See the Queen's coaches - the Gold State coach, the Diamond Jubilee Coach and other state coaches, plus a royal car and some of the royal horses. There is a chance to sit in one of the less ornate coaches. You will see some of the liveries, and learn some of the background of state occasions. A guided tour is available at 11am for all visitors who would like it.
For those interested, it is possible to combine the visit to the Royal Mews with a visit to the nearby Queen's Gallery, where there is an exhibition of works acquired by King George IV - Dutch and Flemish masterpieces, paintings by Sir Thomas Lawrence, French porcelain, intricate goldsmiths' work, ornate furniture. It is stunning - a must for art lovers and historians.
For those wishing to go, please download a flyer here.
Visits 2020
The provisional programme of visits for 2020 is attached here. Please note that these are provisional ideas and some have yet to be checked out for practicability and timings by reconnaissance . But fear not we have several more in reserve. As ever we begin and end our season with trips to London a safe poor weather destination.
There is also the problem of ongoing industrial action on South Western Trains which could affect the Southampton trip although Cross Country Trains may well not be affected.
I hope we have a balanced programme for you, horses, the RAF, boats, trains, and industrial, social and military history
One visit that is booked is the Brewery Centre visit on 11 March. I attach the relevant flyer. Prices still have go be confirmed. Please note that the we will need 25 attending to cover any coach cost.
There is a lunch menu. We may need to confirm choices nearer the day.
To join the Transport History Group
First become a member of the Goring Gap Local History Society and then contact us to find out more or join the Group.
Newsletters
To download past THG Newsletters, please click on one of these links:-
Newsletter 47
Newsletter 45
To download past THG Newsletters, please click on one of these links:-
Newsletter 47
Newsletter 45