Prototype Tim Mills' Photos

[Ian@StEnochs]

If all or part of the building (and site) still exists and remains in use then the plans will be held by Network Rail.

Otherwise, I understand all British Railways records went to the NRM/Science Museum and/or the National Archives at Kew, whether it includes buildings and estates I don't know.

Some British Rail records (1977 to 1998) were also passed to The Historic England Archive The Historic England Archive | Historic England.

However, I did come across this from the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society who may have some information or provide a source as they probably details when excavating the site to know what they were dealing with. Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society

You would expect that to be the case but the reality may be very different.

When Troon station, B listed building, was destroyed by fire a couple of years ago it was found that Network Rail didn’t have any plans of the building. Luckily the G&SWR Association stepped in and loaned them a full set of drawings from their archives which enabled restoration to almost original condition. OK Troon is in Scotland but NR is a UK organisation.

Ian.

 

[Lyndhurstman]

With regards the Y4 33 (68129) it was scrapped one assumes by King's ?, down at Blackwall, there was a scrap merchant there, seen here in '62 down at Brunswick Jct up line along with one of the last J15's (65445) to be withdrawn in this case from Parkeston. I guess it had been sent to Stratford and then condemned.

View attachment 235644
Photo. D. Brennand collection.

Hello @Eastsidepilot
Thanks for this. I had seen it before, but lost track of it. Just to the right is an LNER Standard tender. Other shots show this being all on its own; no loco attached. This makes me wonder if there was a size limit on the yard at Kings.
This Britain From Above 1947 view shows the yard to good effect. It has a wealth of detail, including the prefabs, allotments, bomb damage, and all manner of liminal activities... And a lot of wagonry, too. It seems the yard was still in use.. EAW008749 ENGLAND (1947). The East India Docks, Blackwall, 1947 | Britain From Above

Cheers

Jan

 

[Peter Insole]

Thank you again Arun and Dave for your replies. I would prefer not to continue the subject here though, as it is not materially contributing to Brian's absolutely wonderful thread!

Pete.

 

[oldravendale]

Thanks for completing the info on the N7, Arun. Much appreciated.

Also, Col @Eastsidepilot that photo of 33 and the J15. In historical terms that's a cracker. I'll add the data to the photo files, together with yours, Pete @pete and Jan @Lyndhurstman .

Then the biggie, kicked off by Pete @Peter Insole . I actually believe this is quite an important conversation as it pulls together all the many and various sources of potential information about Stratford Works. (Incidentally, I took a passably good photo of part of Stratford Works with a pair of new Brush Type 2 locos parked outside and a couple more, including a rather underexposed shot inside the diesel shed with the then new D6700). This is rather more a coal mine than a rabbit hole, Pete. Thanks to all who have contributed. This will all, be pulled together in to one file. Furthermore I'm starting to think that it may be worth creating a file just of Tim's Stratford photos, perhaps supplemented with mine. I suspect there'll be more than one book already in existence with such historical photos but, as Dave @Yorkshire Dave has shown with his father's and grandfather's pictures, there's always more. Hopefully we'll pull out all the WT knowledge about Stratford and have it all in one place. In that respect, Pete, please keep the info like Ian's, Jan's and Dave's contributions on here. It makes for a complete file.

(And thanks for your kind comments about the thread, Pete).

Seen previously in post #4223 Britannia 70041 Sir John Moore at Witham Station with a Clacton to Liverpool Street train on 16th April 1960. Home shed was Norwich Thorpe from February 1959, then Immingham in December 1960. It moved to Carlisle Upperby in December 1963, then Kingmoor in February 1964 before being withdrawn in April 1967. (SLS). It was scrapped at J McWilliams, Shettleston, in September 1967. (BR Database).



Surprisingly the first time we’ve seen this loco in Tim’s photos so here is 70013 Oliver Cromwell up light passing Witham box on 16th April 1960. This was another Norwich Thorpe engine where it had been allocated since January 1959. It moved to March in October 1961, Carlisle Kingmoor in December 1963, Upperby in February 1965 and back to Kingmoor in December 1966 going finally to Carnforth in January 1968 where it was withdrawn in August 1968, having been one of the locos on the Fifteen Guinea Special. Further details after British Railways are in

70013 Oliver Cromwell

The engine was completed at Crewe in May 1951 at a cost of £20,115 and entered service at Norwich Thorpe depot. Whilst based at Norwich 70013 was a regular performer on the Broadsman, Norfolkman an…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

A B1 seen previously in post #4468 is 61361 here at Witham Station on an up stopping train on 16th April 1960. The loco was allocated to Colchester in January 1957, moving to Parkeston Quay in December 1959 and finally Colwick in December 1960 where it was withdrawn in December 1965. (SLS). It then went to Garnham, Harris and Elton at Chesterfield for disposal which was completed in March 1966. (BR Database).



Witham Station on 18th April 1960 and B1 61378 leaving with a down Clacton train and young men making a recording of the train movement. I've tried to red the description on the carriage board on that rather splendid kitchen car but it eludes me. The loco was allocated to Parkeston Quay in February 1959, Stratford in February 1961 and March in October 1962 where it was withdrawn in November 1963. (SLS). It went in to Doncaster for cutting up on 14th January 1964 and the job was completed in the same month. (BR Database).



Brian

 

[40057]

I have tried to read the carriage board. I can half persuade myself it reads:

KING’S + ABERDEEN via YORK

Not at all sure though.

 

[Lyndhurstman]

I remember being puzzled when noticing how many of the engines waiting in the scrap lines in front of the old "Departmental" Shed, (above Fork Junction) had sacking carefully tied over their chimneys. I was told it was to stop stuff falling down into their cylinders... but I couldn't work out why anyone would bother if they were only going to get smashed to bits anyway?!

Hi Pete

The chimney would be an opening into the valve chest (and cylinder block). Anything solid getting in there (like a fitters spanner, for instance) would cause havoc at the first turn of the wheels.

Or maybe it was to stop birds nesting

Cheers

Jan

 

[Roger Pound]

Brian,
I believe that 69516 was one of severl N2's displaced by dmu's and transferred to out stations along the line replacing withdrawn locos. For instance at Grantham, Ivatt C12's, where N2's took over their station pilot duties. If one is fatalistic one could say this was a stop along the way of the inevitable journey to Doncaster for cutting up.

Roger.

 

[Michael Hall]

Thanks for completing the info on the N7, Arun. Much appreciated.

Also, Col @Eastsidepilot that photo of 33 and the J15. In historical terms that's a cracker. I'll add the data to the photo files, together with yours, Pete @pete and Jan @Lyndhurstman .

Then the biggie, kicked off by Pete @Peter Insole . I actually believe this is quite an important conversation as it pulls together all the many and various sources of potential information about Stratford Works. (Incidentally, I took a passably good photo of part of Stratford Works with a pair of new Brush Type 2 locos parked outside and a couple more, including a rather underexposed shot inside the diesel shed with the then new D6700). This is rather more a coal mine than a rabbit hole, Pete. Thanks to all who have contributed. This will all, be pulled together in to one file. Furthermore I'm starting to think that it may be worth creating a file just of Tim's Stratford photos, perhaps supplemented with mine. I suspect there'll be more than one book already in existence with such historical photos but, as Dave @Yorkshire Dave has shown with his father's and grandfather's pictures, there's always more. Hopefully we'll pull out all the WT knowledge about Stratford and have it all in one place. In that respect, Pete, please keep the info like Ian's, Jan's and Dave's contributions on here. It makes for a complete file.

(And thanks for your kind comments about the thread, Pete).

Seen previously in post #4223 Britannia 70041 Sir John Moore at Witham Station with a Clacton to Liverpool Street train on 16th April 1960. Home shed was Norwich Thorpe from February 1959, then Immingham in December 1960. It moved to Carlisle Upperby in December 1963, then Kingmoor in February 1964 before being withdrawn in April 1967. (SLS). It was scrapped at J McWilliams, Shettleston, in September 1967. (BR Database).

View attachment 235681

Surprisingly the first time we’ve seen this loco in Tim’s photos so here is 70013 Oliver Cromwell up light passing Witham box on 16th April 1960. This was another Norwich Thorpe engine where it had been allocated since January 1959. It moved to March in October 1961, Carlisle Kingmoor in December 1963, Upperby in February 1965 and back to Kingmoor in December 1966 going finally to Carnforth in January 1968 where it was withdrawn in August 1968, having been one of the locos on the Fifteen Guinea Special. Further details after British Railways are in

70013 Oliver Cromwell

The engine was completed at Crewe in May 1951 at a cost of £20,115 and entered service at Norwich Thorpe depot. Whilst based at Norwich 70013 was a regular performer on the Broadsman, Norfolkman an…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

View attachment 235682

A B1 seen previously in post #4468 is 61361 here at Witham Station on an up stopping train on 16th April 1960. The loco was allocated to Colchester in January 1957, moving to Parkeston Quay in December 1959 and finally Colwick in December 1960 where it was withdrawn in December 1965. (SLS). It then went to Garnham, Harris and Elton at Chesterfield for disposal which was completed in March 1966. (BR Database).

View attachment 235683

Witham Station on 18th April 1960 and B1 61378 leaving with a down Clacton train and young men making a recording of the train movement. I've tried to red the description on the carriage board on that rather splendid kitchen car but it eludes me. The loco was allocated to Parkeston Quay in February 1959, Stratford in February 1961 and March in October 1962 where it was withdrawn in November 1963. (SLS). It went in to Doncaster for cutting up on 14th January 1964 and the job was completed in the same month. (BR Database).

View attachment 235684

Brian

Interesting to see the lads tape recording the departure, I was doing the same in 1963/64 so now I have 49 3" tapes featuring recordings recorded at 1 7/8 ips all 150 minutes (you can do the maths!) around Northampton plus some special trains (Castle, County etc) Duchess over Beattock,

Thanks for completing the info on the N7, Arun. Much appreciated.

Also, Col @Eastsidepilot that photo of 33 and the J15. In historical terms that's a cracker. I'll add the data to the photo files, together with yours, Pete @pete and Jan @Lyndhurstman .

Then the biggie, kicked off by Pete @Peter Insole . I actually believe this is quite an important conversation as it pulls together all the many and various sources of potential information about Stratford Works. (Incidentally, I took a passably good photo of part of Stratford Works with a pair of new Brush Type 2 locos parked outside and a couple more, including a rather underexposed shot inside the diesel shed with the then new D6700). This is rather more a coal mine than a rabbit hole, Pete. Thanks to all who have contributed. This will all, be pulled together in to one file. Furthermore I'm starting to think that it may be worth creating a file just of Tim's Stratford photos, perhaps supplemented with mine. I suspect there'll be more than one book already in existence with such historical photos but, as Dave @Yorkshire Dave has shown with his father's and grandfather's pictures, there's always more. Hopefully we'll pull out all the WT knowledge about Stratford and have it all in one place. In that respect, Pete, please keep the info like Ian's, Jan's and Dave's contributions on here. It makes for a complete file.

(And thanks for your kind comments about the thread, Pete).

Seen previously in post #4223 Britannia 70041 Sir John Moore at Witham Station with a Clacton to Liverpool Street train on 16th April 1960. Home shed was Norwich Thorpe from February 1959, then Immingham in December 1960. It moved to Carlisle Upperby in December 1963, then Kingmoor in February 1964 before being withdrawn in April 1967. (SLS). It was scrapped at J McWilliams, Shettleston, in September 1967. (BR Database).

View attachment 235681

Surprisingly the first time we’ve seen this loco in Tim’s photos so here is 70013 Oliver Cromwell up light passing Witham box on 16th April 1960. This was another Norwich Thorpe engine where it had been allocated since January 1959. It moved to March in October 1961, Carlisle Kingmoor in December 1963, Upperby in February 1965 and back to Kingmoor in December 1966 going finally to Carnforth in January 1968 where it was withdrawn in August 1968, having been one of the locos on the Fifteen Guinea Special. Further details after British Railways are in

70013 Oliver Cromwell

The engine was completed at Crewe in May 1951 at a cost of £20,115 and entered service at Norwich Thorpe depot. Whilst based at Norwich 70013 was a regular performer on the Broadsman, Norfolkman an…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

View attachment 235682

A B1 seen previously in post #4468 is 61361 here at Witham Station on an up stopping train on 16th April 1960. The loco was allocated to Colchester in January 1957, moving to Parkeston Quay in December 1959 and finally Colwick in December 1960 where it was withdrawn in December 1965. (SLS). It then went to Garnham, Harris and Elton at Chesterfield for disposal which was completed in March 1966. (BR Database).

View attachment 235683

Witham Station on 18th April 1960 and B1 61378 leaving with a down Clacton train and young men making a recording of the train movement. I've tried to red the description on the carriage board on that rather splendid kitchen car but it eludes me. The loco was allocated to Parkeston Quay in February 1959, Stratford in February 1961 and March in October 1962 where it was withdrawn in November 1963. (SLS). It went in to Doncaster for cutting up on 14th January 1964 and the job was completed in the same month. (BR Database).

View attachment 235684

Brian

So nice to see lads recording the departure, I was doing exactly the same in 1963/64 instead of taking photographs and am able to 'relive' many great memories in sound.

 

[Barry37]

I have tried to read the carriage board. I can half persuade myself it reads:

KING’S + ABERDEEN via YORK

Not at all sure though.

Looks as though that's a possibility.
On the right of the signal post, there's a pile of removed (?) point rodding and other bits – perhaps associated with the signal itself lacking two arms for movements that can no longer be done.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Witham Station on 18th April 1960 and B1 61378 leaving with a down Clacton train and young men making a recording of the train movement. I've tried to red the description on the carriage board on that rather splendid kitchen car but it eludes me. The loco was allocated to Parkeston Quay in February 1959, Stratford in February 1961 and March in October 1962 where it was withdrawn in November 1963. (SLS). It went in to Doncaster for cutting up on 14th January 1964 and the job was completed in the same month. (BR Database).

On the face of it a kitchen car in a Clacton-on-Sea train would appear to be rather a luxury.

B1s were known to haul the the ´Day' and 'Hook' Continentals and I wonder if this is a 'Continental', as they carried restaurant cars, heading towards Harwich Parkeston Quay - given 61378 was a Parkeston Quay loco.

Given the two professional looking booted and suited chaps with mains powered recording equipment on a Monday (18/04/1960 was a Monday) , this would strike me as something significant occurring.

If we had an Eastern Region timetable of the late 1959 early 1960 period we can work out the train as we roughly know the time from the angle of the shadows which I'd say would be between 9 and 11 am. The Day Continental left Liverpool Street around 9 am and the last steam hauled 'Day Continental' was hauled by a B1 on 9th September 1962.

I would not understand why an ex-KX train would be circuitously routed around north London to reach the north via the GE when there is the Hertford loop available.

 

[Arun Sharma]

On the face of it a kitchen car in a Clacton-on-Sea train would appear to be rather a luxury.


The six car set of AM9 EMUs that made up the Clacton portion had a griddle car in the formation

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

It could therefore be possible the carriage roof boards could be L'pool St - Clacton-on-Sea?

 

[John Palmer]

Post-war LNER carriages are not a subject of which I have much knowledge, but the Kitchen Car in img3907 that has been under discussion appears to be one of the eleven built to Diagram 353 in 1948-49. The grille associated with what I take to be refrigeration plant for the cold larder can be seen at the vehicle's right-hand end. The pair of carriages ahead of and adjacent to the Kitchen Car are visually similar to LNER Open Thirds built to Diagram 350 between 1947 and 1949. Is the Kitchen Car likely to have been flanked on the other side by a carriage supplying accommodation for first class diners, and if so, to what design?

 

[oldravendale]

Regarding the carriage board I rather agree with Dave @Yorkshire Dave that a Kings Cross to Aberdeen via York would be a bit unlikely at Witham, @40057 . I agree that an appropriate timetable may help with the explanation. However, is it possible that the vehicle just happens to be carrying the board that was on it, had not been removed and it's been transferred from Kings Cross? And I'd forgotten about the Griddle Car in the AM9 Clacton formations, Arun. Then more information about the vehicle from John @John Palmer although I can't comment on the vehicles either side of the Kitchen Car.

I appreciate the further info about 69516, Roger @Roger Pound. Many thanks.

I thought the cameo of the chaps sound recording on the platform was rather good too, Michael @Michael Hall. I did a bit of that too, but not very successfully I have to say. I wonder where those recordings are now?

Well observed Barry @Barry37 . Your suggestion really makes sense when looking at the removed signal arms above (if it's possible to look at something that isn't there). Another prototype for junk piled on platforms!

K3 2-6-0 61831 light at Witham Station with chaps still recording on 18th April 1960. At the time the loco was allocated to March where it had been since February 1957, moving to Colwick at the end of December 1960 where it was withdrawn in September 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped at Cashmore’s, Great Bridge at some time during 1963. (BR Database).



At Witham Station on 18th April 1960 was K3 61915 with a down van train, possibly for parcels, on 18th April 1960. The K3 was allocated to March in October 1953 and withdrawn in September 1962. (SLS). It was scrapped by year end 1963 (BR Database) at Central Wagon, Wigan, where it had arrived by 2nd July 1963 (RO) and was further observed on 12th July. (WHTS).



Britannia 70010 Owen Glendower (would that spelling be acceptable in these PC times, I wonder) at Blunts Hall, Witham, on 30th April 1960. The loco was allocated to Norwich Thorpe in May 1951, then March in December 1961, Willesden in March 1963, Crewe North in January and Crewe South in June and finally Carlisle Kingmoor in July 1965 from where it was withdrawn in September 1967. (SLS). It was scrapped at J McWilliams, Shettleston in January 1968. (BR Database).



Blunts Hall, Witham, on 30th April 1960 and B1 61375 (which we’ve seen previously in post #2693} on an up Clacton train. This had been allocated to Stratford since October 1951 and moved to March in October 1962. (SLS). BR Database reports the date of withdrawal as 25 November 1963 and disposal at Birds Long Marston in August 1966 after being transferred to Departmental Stock for use as a stationary boiler for train heating purposes as No 24. The drawhook was removed to preclude use as a normal engine. Rail UK advises the loco was used at Norwich for carriage heating where it was finally withdrawn in April 1966.



Brian

 

[LarryG]

The K3's certainly had a good waffling bark when climbing hard. A shame none was preserved, although a new construction is in the pipeline.

 

[hrmspaul]

A particularly interesting pair of photographs of Stratford service loco, Y4 0-4-0T No 33, previously 68129 when in capital stock shunting at Stratford Works on 9th January 1960. BR Database advises the loco was introduced in January 1921 and withdrawn in December 1963 but that oversimplifies things a bit. In 1952, number 68129 was transferred to the Service (departmental) list and renumbered 33. Withdrawals started in 1955 with 68125, with 68127 and 68128 going in 1956 and 68126 in 1957. The last to be withdrawn was 33 on closure of Stratford Works in 1963 and although I can’t find a scrapping location I’ll assume that was Stratford and probably in 1963 or early 1964. The sources for this last info are many and various.

View attachment 235545

View attachment 235546

Brian

Has anyone discussed the Private owner 2 door steel mineral? I think it is P339506, but not easy to read on my laptop screen. I am very uncertain of the final digit. This wagon is listed in Larkin Acquired wagons of BR Vol 2 page 88. Chapter 13 is all about the various 20/21T steel minerals that BR acquired and, as can be seen this has no end door on the side that can be seen, we can presume there was an end door at the hidden end. If my reading of the number is correct it is one of the numerous wagons originally owned by Gueret, Llewellyn & Merrett (Welsh Associated Collieries) Ltd- written with a huge WAC on the side. One of mine, Miscellaneous Private owner wagons - Mineral and other open wagons | P329758K steel 2 door mineral @ Feltham 67-11-15 © Paul Bartlett w

Of more than passing interest to 7mm modellers as this is one of the wagons similar to the "GW Felix Pole" wagons as recently modelled RTR by Minerva. It also shows that ex PO steel wagons were properly maintained by BR and some lasted into the 1970s unlike similar 13T and 16T minerals.

Paul Bartlett
PS thanks to Rob R

 

[AJC]

View attachment 235852

Britannia 70019 Owen Glendower (would that spelling be acceptable in these PC times, I wonder) at Blunts Hall, Witham, on 30th April 1960.

Brian

Minor typo there, Brian. Owen Glendower was 70010. Nothing PC or otherwise about the spelling: Owen Glendower was one of the many English renderings of the man’s name. Some version of Oweyn [de] Glyndyfrdwy (the valley of the river we English speakers call the Dee) was probaly the most common. 'Owen Glendower' is still used in English contexts (notably any production of Henry IV part 1), but it would be unusual to see it thus in Wales, certainly for a new coinage.

The usual rendering today would be Owain Glyndŵr, but that’s a result of the standardisation of modern orthography in Cymraeg.

You can see differences in thinking about this in the '50s on BR: the Vale of Rheidol tank engines were named in 1956 - so just five years after 70010 was built - and number 7 was (and is), named Owain Glyndŵr. But what would you expect in Cymrophone Aberystwyth?

Towards the very end of 70010's life, painted plain green and without its brass 'plates, it was named, quite neatly, 'Owen Glendower' on the RH side deflector and a variant of Owain Glyndwr on the LH.

https://flic.kr/p/4uVqse

VIEW (Britannia) 70010 Carlisle Kingmoor

Standard 7P6F Class No 70010 OWEN GLENDOWER at Carlisle Kingmoor mpd 15/10/1967

www.anistr.com

Declaring an interest, I’ve read more or less every academic publication about Owain written in the last century and a half, and added one or two of my own…

Adam

PS, nothing unusual about Welsh speakers calling things by different names to English speakers. It can be quite revealing. See ‘Shirehall Street’ in Caernarfon: in Welsh it’s ‘Stryd y Jêl’ (Jail Street). It’s where the county sessions were held, and there’s a commentary on the historic application of justice right there.

 

[Rob R]

Has anyone discussed the Private owner 2 door steel mineral? I think it is P339506, but not easy to read on my laptop screen. I am very uncertain of the final digit. This wagon is listed in Larkin Acquired wagons of BR Vol 2 page 88. Chapter 13 is all about the various 20/21T steel minerals that BR acquired and, as can be seen this has no end door on the side that can be seen, we can presume there was an end door at the hidden end. If my reading of the number is correct it is one of the numerous wagons originally by Gueret, Llewellyn & Merrett (Welsh Associated Collieries) Ltd- written with a huge WAC on the side. One of mine, Miscellaneous Private owner wagons - Mineral and other open wagons | P329758K steel 2 door mineral @ Feltham 67-11-15 © Paul Bartlett w

Of more than passing interest to 7mm modellers as this one of the wagons similar to the "GW Felix Pole" wagons as recently modelled RTR by Minerva. It also shows that ex PO steel wagons were properly maintained by BR and some lasted into the 1970s unlike similar 13T and 16T minerals.

Paul Bartlett

Paul,
Have just zoomed in and I can confirm that it is P339506.

 

[Barry37]

Minor typo there, Brian. Owen Glendower was 70010. Nothing PC or otherwise about the spelling: Owen Glendower was one of the many English renderings of the man’s name. Some version of Oweyn [de] Glyndyfrdwy (the valley of the river we English speakers call the Dee) was probaly the most common. 'Owen Glendower' is still used in English contexts (notably any production of Henry IV part 1), but it would be unusual to see it thus in Wales, certainly for a new coinage.

The usual rendering today would be Owain Glyndŵr, but that’s a result of the standardisation of modern orthography in Cymraeg.

You can see differences in thinking about this in the '50s on BR: the Vale of Rheidol tank engines were named in 1956 - so just five years after 70010 was built - and number 7 was (and is), named Owain Glyndŵr. But what would you expect in Cymrophone Aberystwyth?

Towards the very end of 70010's life, painted plain green and without its brass 'plates, it was named, quite neatly, 'Owen Glendower' on the RH side deflector and a variant of Owain Glyndwr on the LH.

https://flic.kr/p/4uVqse

VIEW (Britannia) 70010 Carlisle Kingmoor

Standard 7P6F Class No 70010 OWEN GLENDOWER at Carlisle Kingmoor mpd 15/10/1967

www.anistr.com

Declaring an interest, I’ve read more or less every academic publication about Owain written in the last century and a half, and added one or two of my own…

Adam

PS, nothing unusual about Welsh speakers calling things by different names to English speakers. It can be quite revealing. See ‘Shirehall Street’ in Caernarfon: in Welsh it’s ‘Stryd y Jêl’ (Jail Street). It’s where the county sessions were held, and there’s a commentary on the historic application of justice right there.

Someone, who was the last living descendant of Owain Glyndŵr (allegedly), lived in Penuwch in rural Ceredigion. Prince Charles paid a visit, possibly while at Uni in Aberystwyth in the 1970s. The house was in such a state inside, that the inhabitant and royal visitor sat outside.
My recollection is that the visit was said to be by helicopter, which could well have been the case – the nearby disused quarry was an excellent landing site.

 

[AJC]

Someone, who was the last living descendant of Owain Glyndŵr (allegedly), lived in Penuwch in rural Ceredigion. Prince Charles paid a visit, possibly while at Uni in Aberystwyth in the 1970s. The house was in such a state inside, that the inhabitant and royal visitor sat outside.
My recollection is that the visit was said to be by helicopter, which could well have been the case – the nearby disused quarry was an excellent landing site.

There’s got to be more than one - the Skidmores/Scudamores of Kentchurch in Herefordshire are descended from a daughter, but that’s by the by. Mum was at Aber’ a year or so after Charles had been and gone, and that sounds like a plausible tale of that period…

NB, for reasons of sentiment, were I ever to model a Brit’ it would be 70010 at the end of its life. It’s pretty improbable, but don't write the possibility off!

Adam