Great talk,very low interest

 [The low attendance at meetings has now become a great concern, Luckily, the last few speakers have spoken for free, otherwise we would be making a loss at every event. This is concerning and the future of the talks program is in danger!]

A Report on the March meeting of Resolven History Society

A rather disappointingly small audience came to hear this month’s speaker, Mr Steve Patterson, who spoke of his long career as a railway engineer. Originally from Hirwaun, Mr Patterson had a very unsuccessful school career and left to become a “greaser” as quickly as he was able on the railway. Yet despite, some fractious relations with management he rose to the very top of his profession both in charge of railway companies and as a consultant.

 

Mr Patterson spent the first half of his talk on his life within railways, which spanned the pre-nationalisation, nationalisation, privatisation and subsequent partial re-nationalisation. His explanation of the Byzantine complexity of the organisation and regulation of the industry was an education in itself to us who get on the train without realising how much organisation and activity is going on unseen. His role often meant travelling long distances and he regretted being away from home so much, especially when he had a young family.

 

The second half of the talk, involved a picture illustration of the machinery and vehicles used in track maintenance which was achieved with a mixture of experience and efficiency in getting the job done, especially within cramped conditions including the Severn Tunnel. Over the decades it was evident that there was a transition from the unsophisticated pre Health and Safety days, and the ultra-technological methods of today.

 

Mr Trefor Jones, thanked Mr Patterson for a fascinating insight into a hidden world.

 

Next month’s speaker, is Mr Ken Thomas, who will speak on Public Cinemas.