Brentford Story
A summer of steamy fun on offer at the Steam Museum
Young visitors
are in for a treat at the Kew Bridge
Steam Museum during the summer holidays - a great selection of free workshops
and discovery sessions
are lined up. With the holidays just around the corner,
now is the perfect time to come down and explore what the museum has on
offer for family entertainment. There's no excuse not to come down with
free entry for children fifteen and under and a great selection of events
including;
Historic
Characters Wednesday 3 August
A host of historic characters will be invading the museum during the summer
holidays. Victorian characters include Thomas Wicksteed, consultant engineer
to the Grand Junction Waterworks Company whose vision shaped the museum
as it is today; Elizabeth Harvey, sister to
George Banfield who was killed when the Maudslay engine
was undergoing one of its overhauls; and an engine cleaner talking about
the working life of the pumping station.
Elizabeth
Harvey is centred in the late 1860's, the year after her brother-in-law
George Banfield died, she chats about the tragedy of his death and the
pride she feels about her family and their role in the history of the
steam engineering industry. She talks about the contributions they made
through the building of the Cruquius engine and the work they did for
the pumping station at Kew. Elizabeth Harvey is set in 1861, the year
after
her brother in law was killed. Harvey of Hayle was the premier builder
of Cornish pumping engines by this time and they did so much work in London
they had a London office. Two of the museum's surviving engines were built
by Harvey & Co (including the 100 inch) and they also undertook maintenance
work on two others, including the 90 inch engine.
Thomas Wicksteed is based in 1851 on the inauguration day of the completion of works on the Boulton & Watt and Maudslay engines. He briefly explains the major differences between the first engines, James Watt's engines and the Cornish style of pumping engines. He then explains the role he played in the history of the Boulton & Watt engine and why he advised that the company have the Grand Junction 90-inch engine built. In the afternoon he finishes with the Grand Junction 90-inch working. Wicksteed was a brilliant young engineer who was responsible for the commissioning of the 90.
The engine cleaner discusses the effect that a visit by an American engineer James Kirkwood, who visited the site in 1868 whilst investigating water supply around the world, had on him and he also talks about cholera. He discusses how the hot summer of 1867 affected the operation of the station, how the filterbeds were clogged with weed and the issues surrounding a constant supply of water, how London was behind other cities in this matter and his personal debate about whether or not he wishes to become an engine driver. Kew Bridge Steam Museum was the only London site he visited and which featured in his book.
Victorian
washday activities August 9:
Interactive role-play where children will be invited to join in and have
a go at various jobs an including helping 'Ma' do her washing in the Victorian
way. A limited water supply meant that a household's wash day was often
once a week. There were many chores that had to be done
as part of the washing process and children will find out about a typical
washing day in Victorian
life. Children will learn how their 'great-grandma' used to do the washing
before washing machines.
How to
find the steam museum:
In Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex about 100 yards from the north
side of Kew Bridge under the tall Victorian tower. Nearest motorway M4
(turn off at junction 2 signposted to Kew Gardens and north/south circular
roads), down to Chiswick
roundabout, then pick up signs for Kew, Brentford and Hounslow. Turn right
to Brentford
at traffic lights before Kew Bridge. Click here
for a map.
Admission:
Weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays (engines in steam).Adults.£6 Concessions:
£5 Children (5-15 years) Free
Children under the age of 13 years must be accompanied by an adult
How to reach
the Museum by public transport: Buses: 65, 237, 267, 391. Main Line Trains:
Kew
Bridge (South West Trains from Waterloo via Clapham Junction). Gunnersbury
(North London
Line) then 237 or 267 bus. London Underground: Gunnersbury (District Line)
then 237 or 267
bus). South Ealing (Piccadilly Line) the 65 bus.
Further Information:
Telephone the museum: 020 8568 4757 Fax: 020 8569 9978 or visit
www.kbsm.org
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