Episodes

Season 2024 – Talk 10 – The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies In ‘The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies’ Jo Watson takes us through a humorous history of the summer games. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Jo’s background: Her career was with BBC Sport as a producer and an editor. She’s worked on seven summer Olympics and has written a book about the history of the games. It is really more about the people and the ...

On to Leeds – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 08 In ‘On to Leeds‘ I continue my journey to Leeds. Today only part of my journey is on the true route of the Thames Clyde Express as a nine-mile section of the traditional route no longer exists. Once a hive of industry with mile after mile of collieries, coke ovens, marshalling yards and sidings, coal mining subsidence causes speed restrictions in the 1960s. In 1968 trains move to other routes and in 1985 part of the line closes. Today one se...

Season 2024 – Talk 08 – A History of India before the British In ‘A History of India before the British‘ Alan Freeland tells us  that  in the next few of years India’s likely to become the world’s third largest economy.  To benefit from this we’ll need to understand India a lot more than we do today as we are very ignorant of our history in India. Size: The talk focuses on India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Alan uses the word India when referring to the three countries that are referred to as S...

Sheffield Railway Station and on to Swinton – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 07 In ‘Sheffield Railway Station and on to Swinton‘ I visit Sheffield Station and then start my journey with Northern Rail to Leeds. Today only part of my journey is on the true route of the Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Sheffield Station: The ‘railway mania’ sees the Manchester Sheffield and Lincoln Railway, the London and Northwestern Railway...

Season 2024 – Talk 07 – 1832 Reform Bill – – did it avoid a revolution? In the ‘1832 Reform Bill – did it avoid a revolution‘ Robert Sykes tells us  that whilst the parliamentary system in Britain is genuinely old, real democracy is arguably under a hundred years old. The 1832 Reform Bill: The first significant reform of the parliamentary system results in the Bill of 1832. Robert spends some time on the system before the Bill. He explains why it needs change. We hear of the growth of the ref...

On to Sheffield – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 06 In ‘On to Sheffield’ my journey continues with the East Midlands Railway from Trowell to Sheffield along the original route of Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Ilkeston: In 2013 Ilkeston was the largest town in Britain with an operational passenger railway line running through it, but no station. The government’s New Stations Fund, managed by Network Rail provides funds f...

Season 2024 – Talk 05 – 17th Century Dissenters In ‘17th Century Dissenters and the World Turned Upside Down‘ Judith Edge tells us about dissent in the 17th Century and compares the situation with today. Religion: It is clear what a dissenter is. In the 17th century, it is to do with religion. Baptists, Quakers and others offering new religious solutions. Others ask sceptical questions about the institution and beliefs of society, such as the Seekers, the Ranters, the Diggers and more. Some ...

Leicester to Trowell – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 05 In ‘Leicester to Trowell’ my journey continues with the East Midlands Railway from Leicester, via Nottingham, to Trowell. This gets me back onto the original route of Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Loughborough: My train passes through Loughborough with the BRUSH Falcon works next door. BRUSH is famed as a major supplier of diesel locomotives. In 1957 Hawker Siddel...

Season 2024 – Talk 04 – Mike Hawthorn – The Farnham Flyer In ‘Mike Hawthorn‘ Simon Barber tells us about one of his heroes, Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion. Early years: Mike Hawthorn is born in Mexborough to Leslie and Winifred Hawthorn in 1929. His father moves to Farnham and buys the Tourist Trophy Garage. Mike goes to prep school in Farnham and then to Ardingly College . The Tourist Trophy Garage is franchised to supply and service several high performance brands, including Jag...

We reach Leicester – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 04 In ‘We reach Leicester’ my journey continues northwards, and reaches the Thames Clyde’s first stop in Leicester. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Radlett Aerodrome: We pass the remains of the old Handley Page aircraft works at Radlett. In 1937 the pilot of a Harrow bomber misjudges his approach to the airfield. His undercarriage rips off part of the roof of the kitchen car of a London to Ma...

Northward Bound – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 03 In ‘Northward Bound’ I start my journey, leaving St. Pancras on an East Midlands Railway Class 222 Meridian train. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: The Thames Clyde Express: I am following, as far as is possible today, the route of the Thames Clyde Express. The London, Midland & Scottish railway introduces the express on 26th September 1927. The Thames Clyde took the longer, and slower, Midla...

Season 2024 – Talk 03 – How Science is helping people our past In ‘How Science is helping people our past‘ Pam Taylor tells us that we don’t often have talks about archaeology. She also says it’s not all about grubbing around in the dirt. After the grubbing around in the dirt: Pam’s interest began in the 1970s with an evening class at Farnborough Tech. She then moves on  to the Royal Aircraft Establishment Archaeological Society, active in digging at local sites. She admits that there is a l...

Around St. Pancras – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 02 In ‘Around St. Pancras’ I walk up Midland Road on the west side of the station and visit St. Pancras Old Church. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Midland Road: Midland Road runs up the western side of St. Pancras station splitting the station from the old goods yard. Today the British Library stands on part of the site at the junction of the Euston and Midland roads. The move to the curre...

St. Pancras – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 01 In ‘St. Pancras’ I arrive at the station to start my journey along the route of the Midland Railway’s Scotch Expresses and the LMS Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: The Midland Railway: The Midland Railway was a proud organisation. From their base in Derby their powerbase is between Birmingham and York; however their services stretch as far as Carlisle and Bournemouth. Their...

Boston – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 41 In ‘Boston’ I spend the final day of my holiday taking a look at the famous city of Boston. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Back to Boston South: I leave my hotel to walk through the city and find myself back at Boston South station. Whilst I’m at the station I see the construction team erecting a tower crane. This is something that I’ve never see before and it is fascinating to watch. Why do so ma...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.3 – Mother Teresa In ‘Mother Teresa’ Graham Meade tells us the history of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The Burning House Debate: This is the third in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number of famous people from history staying in the ‘burning house’. Each speaker pleads for their subject to be saved. Early years: I was born Agnes Gonj Bojadjou on 26th of August 1910 the youngest of three children. By blood ...

New Haven to Boston South – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 40 In ‘New Haven to Boston South’ I travel on the final rail section of my tour of the United States, this time using the high speed Acela service. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: New Haven: New Haven Union Station is the main passenger station in New Haven, Connecticut. It is the third station in the city of New Haven. Opening in 1920, it is in the beaux-arts style. The 1961 bankrup...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.2 – Mr Punch In ‘Mr Punch’ Diana Butler tells us the history of Mr Punch who is far from being just a seaside puppet show. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning House Debate: This is the second in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number of famous people from history staying in the ‘burning house’. Each speaker pleads for their subject to be saved. Early d...

New York to New Haven – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 39 In ‘New York to New Haven’ I travel from New York’s Moynihan Train Hall on the high speed Acela service. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Acela: Acela is Amtrak‘s flagship passenger service on the Northeast Corridor running between Washington, D.C. and Boston. They are the fastest in the Americas, reaching 150 miles per hour. Sadly the trains only reach 150 mph for 49.9 miles of the 457-...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.1 – Xerxes I In ‘Xerxes I’ Michael A’Bear tells us that, as a 21 year old, he catches a bus from Victoria Coach Station to India. On that journey Michael encounters Xerxes and Darius, his father, many times Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning House Debate: This is the first in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number of famous people from history staying...

On to New York – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 38 In ‘On to New York’ I travel the rest of the way to New York on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Albany–Rensselaer: Our train splits at Albany-Rensselaer. The front portion heads off to Boston South Station and the rear goes on to New York’s Penn Station and the Moynihan train hall. The timing here is generous with a scheduled arrival of 2.53 pm. The departure for Boston...

Season 2024 – Talk 01 – Alexander the Great In ‘Alexander the Great’ David Simpson and Alan Freeland tell us about this legend from ancient time. We hear about his life, his military genius, his political skills and also the effect that he has had on culture through the ages. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. About this talk: Alan Freeland writes: The inspiration for this topic comes from the British Library Exhibition ‘Alexander The Great – the Ma...

From west of Syracuse to Albany – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 37 In ‘From west of Syracuse to Albany’ I travel another 150 miles on my journey to New York on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Syracuse: The William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center is an intermodal station serving Syracuse and the surrounding area. It also hosts Greyhound Lines, Megabus, and Trailways. In addition there are local and regional busse...

Season 2023 – Talk 21 – Franco’s Spain In ‘Franco’s Spain’ Peter Duffy tells us about the Spanish dictator who controlled Spain from 1939 to 1975. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early career: After he passes out from Toledo, Franco is posted to Morocco where he remains until the late 1920s. He comes a lieutenant in 1912, a captain in 1915, a major in 1917, a colonel in 1925, and a general in 1926, making him the youngest general in both the Span...