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Presentation marks completion of Rainhill station works
MERSEYTRAVEL
has paid tribute to the history of Rainhill Railway Station in
Merseyside – following the completion of a series of works to
improve access to the station. A plaque detailing the rich
history of the station, including the world famous Rainhill Trials
and the emergence of steam railway across the world, now takes pride
of place inside Rainhill Village Hall.
It was presented by Merseytravel’s Rail Committee Chair, Councillor
Chris Blakeley and marks the completion of the access works at the
station designed to improve access for people with mobility
problems. The improvements include level access to the
Liverpool-bound platform, road improvements around the station,
tactile paving and new blue badge parking spaces for passengers.
Merseytravel funded the £56,000 works, with a contribution from the
Department for Transport’s Access For All Small Scheme Fund.
Councillor Chris Blakeley said:- “Rainhill Station is famous
the world over and we are delighted to remember its past, with this
plaque, and to build for the future, with our access improvement
works. Improving access to all our stations is important if we
are to create a public transport network accessible to everyone.”
The Rainhill Trials
The Rainhill Trials were an important competition in the early days
of steam locomotive railways. They were held on the 6 October 1829
in Rainhill.
When the Liverpool and Manchester Railway was approaching
completion, the directors of the railway ran a competition to decide
whether stationary steam engines or locomotives would be used to
pull the trains. The Rainhill Trials were arranged as an open
contest that would let them see all the locomotive candidates in
action, with the choice to follow.
Regardless of whether or not locomotives were settled upon, a prize
of £500 was offered to the winner of the trials.
George and Robert Stephenson’s Rocket was the only locomotive to
complete the trials.
It averaged 12 miles per hour (achieving a top
speed of 30 miles per hour) hauling 13 tons, and was declared the
winner of the £500 prize.
The Stephensons were accordingly given the
contract to produce locomotives for the Liverpool & Manchester
Railway.
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Building a brighter future for Knowsley’s Past
THE Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) has given a boost of £154,572 to help plug the
gap between the growing needs of Knowsley’s heritage and the
specialist skills needed to care for it. Knowsley is rich in
built heritage, boasting 15 Conservation Areas and 120 listed
buildings including Old Lane, Kirkby, Knowsley Village, Prescot, St
Michaels Church, Cronton and Halewood. However, the borough mirrors
a national shortage of skilled construction workers able to
undertake traditional construction repair works to historic
buildings.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council will use the HLF grant to fund
their ‘Conservation Skills and Interpretation Project’. The
scheme aims to lessen the gap between NVQ’s and the specific skills
needs of historic buildings, while offering a host of opportunities
for the whole community to learn more about historic Knowsley.
The news takes HLF’s investment in Knowsley to over £2million,
supporting a wide range of heritage projects. Peter Fellows,
Heritage Lottery Fund Casework Manager for the North West, said:-
“Almost 7,000 more skilled craftspeople are needed to help
maintain the nation’s historic buildings and today’s news will help
Knowsley to create a team of highly trained young workers for the
future. It will also create exciting opportunities for the whole
community to explore the heritage on their doorstep and play a role
in helping others to learn about it.”
Selected construction students from Knowsley Community College will
receive specialist training in traditional skills such as brick,
lime, stone, timber and glass repair. The tailored sessions will be
delivered by expert partners such as SPAB and York University
Archaeology Dept. Other young people in Knowsley will also get
the chance to gain an insight into heritage skills and prospective
careers in the heritage sector. Knowsley College young apprentice
students will be part of a Young Conservation Officer Group,
enabling 14-16 year olds to experience working with materials such
as lead glass and to learn about the management of historic
buildings. They will also receive support in finding work placements
and work shadowing in the conservation industry. Meanwhile, primary
school aged children will learn about the importance of caring for
old buildings and to try their hand at techniques such as wattle and
daub.
2 Heritage Celebration events will be held in Court Hey Park, giving
the wider community the chance to explore Knowsley’s heritage. In
association with Knowsley Flower Show, the events will stage a
demonstration of traditional building skills and give the young
people involved in the construction skills training the chance to
show case their skills. They will also celebrate the Borough’s wider
history, with demonstrations of spinning and weaving, milling and
watch making.
For those who want to find out more about the area’s past, guided
heritage walks led by experienced registered green and red badge
guides in period costume will be offered. Self guided leaflets and
interpretation panels will also be created. Local people
inspired by the heritage events and other activities will get the
chance to nominate deserving buildings for a special plaque. A
project manager will be employed for 2 years to deliver the
programme of activities.
Cllr Graham Morgan,
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Neighbourhoods at Knowsley
Council, welcomed the news. He said:- “This is great news for
the borough. Not only will it see our fantastic heritage protected
for generations to come, it will also give some of our young people
the skills for a long career in construction and craftsmanship.
Knowsley is a borough rich in history and heritage and the
celebration events are a great way for local people to come along
and enjoy finding out more.”
A few years ago HLF set up Development Teams to encourage
applications from those areas that had received little funding. In
the North West, Knowsley was identified as one of the priorities for
support. Since then HLF has been working hard to get more HLF grant
money into these key areas, running workshops and meeting with local
communities to help them apply for funds. Thanks to the enthusiasm
of local groups, partners and a wealth of heritage to explore, HLF
have now funded some great projects in the area. |
