---

   

From: Roy Bishop Sent: 27 July 2007 15:14 Subject: Visit Sunday 8th July Hi Tony My apologies for not sending this email earlier but better late than never I guess. As a young teenager I did a couple of years fairly intense train-spotting, as did many of my friends. A bunch of us got around the country quite a bit in that time until sport, girls and rock 'n' roll took precedence! I suspect none of us has lost our love of steam though. I well remember the bike rides from Newbury to Basingstoke and the thrill of being on the platform when a Merchant Navy class literally thundered through.Regular trips to Kings Cross are also remembered with great nostalgia. The wheel slip of the A4s as they attempted to get a grip was a sight to behold. I have visited the MHR a couple of times in the past year and had made a mental note of the 40th Anniversary event and then completely forgot about it. However, completely by chance (or was it subliminal forces at work) I dropped in to Ropley late afternoon on Sunday 8th July in the hope of some photographs. I quickly realised my original oversight but as most of the crowds had left and the locomotives were returning to the shed I couldn't believe my luck and set about capturing as much of the atmosphere as possible.

Bittern was a wonderful sight and together with the Bulleids brought all those memories flooding back. My two favourite locomotives in one place 47 years on. Magic! I still have my 1960 copy of the ABC British Railways Locomotives which now has a line underneath Bittern which I never did see in the sixties. I'm sure you have received many photographs taken over that weekend but I'm attaching a few of my own anyway which attempt to depict things in a slightly different style. I hope you can use them. Many congratulations and a very big thank you to all the volunteers who make the MHR and others like it such an evocative experience for us old timers and such an exciting one for the youngsters. Kind regards Roy Bishop One   Two   Three   Four   Five

 
 
 
 
From: Neville Rothery
Sent: 12 July 2007 21:49
Subject: Gala 7^th &  8^th July 2007
Dear Tony  
We visited the gala last weekend, our first visit to the Mid Hants.  We both thoroughly enjoyed the days, the locos, the dirt, the engineering, signal box and even managed to stay until closing time at Medstead at the end of Saturday. Sunday tea and cake at Alresford was very good too!  A grand display in great weather (including sunburn on the Saturday) with extremely friendly and polite operatives. I attach a couple of pictures for your interest I hope!  (See above  ... tw)
We will be back later in the year - it was only a 4 hour journey early on the Saturday morning! 
Kind regards 
Neville Rothery and Margaret Booth 
Warrington Cheshire 
p.s.  Daughter, Carole, wishes to know where your coal comes from.    It comes from Ayrshire in Scotland, Carole ... tw  
From: Martin Macqueen
Sent: 10 July 2007 22:08
Subject: 40th Anniversary gala
Sorry this is a little late! I would like you to pass on my extreme thanks to all concerned on what was a fantastic event. The authenticity of the loco's was superb, faultless running and brilliantly organised. The freight and breakdown train was also much appreciated.
I used to be a working volunteer and had my induction the same day as you, unfortunately living 50 miles away, getting married and work commitments took their toll!
Please say hello to Keith Loughlin who I used to fire for. I really miss not being involved and Sunday has really made me determined to make the effort to come back more often. The line is really looking superb and is a credit to all who put in so much effort for everyone to enjoy.
Again please pass my best wishes to all involved, it was the best day out I have had at a steam line for ages. 
Very Best Regards 
Martin Macqueen 
Didcot