Issue One Winter 2005
The New Marshall Magazine
The official magazine of the Pump House Steam & Transport Museum Trust
London’s Lea Valley
Britain’s Best Kept Industrial Secret
For a number of years now Dr Jim Lewis and Mr Lindsay Collier MA have been actively promoting an area of Britain that is unrivalled in the World today for its industrial achievements. One of the many objectives’ of this promotion is to portray this important story at the Pump House Museum site in Walthamstow, the heart of the Lea Valley. The museum project will then be known as The Lea Valley Experience. Dr Lewis who is a great advocate of the project has agreed to write a letter of support for our letters page of the first addition of The New Marshall Magazine.
Museum project up-date
Another year has passed us by so quickly, and you must all be wondering when the development work will start on our proposed exciting enhancement of the existing Pump House Museum.
The truth is that it has already started without many of you even noticing it, with a new roof on the Pump House, courtesy of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, to whom we thank. The completion of this work alone is a major step forward for the museum, as it will enable us to develop the Pump House, and the site in stages, rather that all at once.
Baring major problems we hope to complete another five of our main objectives by early next year, namely, the signing of the agreement to lease, the lease, planning consent, museum registration, the completion of our Heritage Lottery Fund application, and finally, the re-launch of the Lea Valley Experience project, which has gripped the imagination of many. Never before in the history of Waltham Forest has such an exciting project been proposed. It is ambitious, yes, but achievable, and certainly a viable proposition, which has now been proven by independent consultants commissioned by the museum.
Although part of our forward plan has been delayed, we have still been able to maintain progress with the development of Waltham Forest’s Jewel in the Crown, the Lea Valley Experience Museum Project.
Have a very Merry Christmas, and here’s to a great 2006.
Thank You
Mr Lindsay Collier MA
Chief Executive
Letters page
It is our objective to publish four news letters a year, March, June, September, and December. This page is self explanatory and is your opportunity to write to us, to tell us your stories, and to ask us questions relating to the project.
So if you do have any stories or questions, please write to: The Editor, the New Marshall Magazine, Walthamstow .
Letters of Support for the Project
One of the most important requirements of all projects to move forward is letters of support from independent outside bodies. These alone should give potential funders and sponsors the confidence to support such a venture.
To-date the trust has already received many such letters; however, in the last few weeks we have received two important letters of support that I believe we should shared with you all.
English Heritage
Extracts from a letter sent by Sir Neal Cossons the Chairman of English Heritage 14th October 2005 regarding the Lea Valley Experience project.
I can confirm that English Heritage is very happy to support this venture, and to add any assistance we can give in supporting your Heritage Lottery Fund application.
We are keenly aware of the considerable industrial heritage of the Lea Valley, and of the potential benefits of fostering far greater awareness of this rich legacy, both locally and more widely.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Extracts from a letter sent by Jacquie Dean the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Waltham Forest 16th November 2005 regarding the Lea Valley Industrial Experience Project.
I can confirm the Council’s support for the above future development.
The Council has already committed funding towards the project which includes the complete restoration of the Pump House roof.
The Council is fully committed to supporting the organisation in securing external funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other external sources.
This organisation makes a valuable contribution to the Community, which the Council supports.
Our Main Fund Raising Campaign To Get Underway In 2006!
Next year will see the launch of our funding campaign so that what we have all been striving for all these years can be achieved. You will all be advised early in the New Year how you can help us! Have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Events 2005 Report by David Craig
APRIL 17TH EMERGENCY SERVICES DAY
Fantastic weather heralded our first event of the year, and fortunately retuned on each of the other weekends that we opened our gates to the public.
Vintage and modern fire appliances, visited, including the enormous fire ladder, which I would not climb for any amount of Lottery Funding. Considering the London marathon and a FA Cup semi-final where foolishly arranged to clash with our event, we got a pretty healthy crowd. Everyone had a good time, and I particually enjoyed the shunting demonstration!
MAY 7TH / 8TH AEC RALLY
Considering the huge success of the 2004 rally this years was a little disappointing.
Although we had some visiting double-deckers, there was no trade stands to speak or other types of AEC vehicles to enjoy. Geoff Burtenshaw and Peter Simmons worked very hard organizing and fulfilling a time table of bus tours of the area, along with visit to the former AEC works at Walthamstow with a guided talk from our museum historian. After consultation with the head of the AEC Society we hope to hold next years rally in September, which is more expectable to them.
JULY 10TH BREMER VINTAGE VEHICLE RUN
This years run was comprised of eleven vehicles. Frank led the way in his Dennis fire engine and I think he was back at the Pump House before the last vehicle had left the town hall grounds ( MUST HAVE BEEN AN EMERGENCY). Entrance worthy of special mention where the superb Daimler Dart, Chris Waye’s Scammell Scarab, and Seven Valley Morris Commercial. Also big thanks to Trevor Hall who stepped in at the last minute to driver the London Transport Leyland Emergency Vehicle. The Pump House café did a very good trade, with hungry drivers and passengers snapping up Stella’s Hot Dogs. They went quicker than trap six at the Stow on a wet night. I have five entrants already booked for next year, so it should be a bumper to bumper event.
SEPTEMBER 3RD WALTHAMSTOW ART TRAIL
The Pump House was one of over forty locations in E17 where the public could see and participate in various forms of art. A fine collection of paintings, prints, and posters hung from the Pump House walls, and our B Type replica bus. In the yard there was a treat for kids of all ages as Jo Fitzsimons and he assistant Carla invited the visitors to an active art session. This involved painting the outside of Jo’s VW camper van with weird and wonderful creations. And at the end of the day it wasn’t just the used brushes that where stiff!
SEPTEMBER 17TH / 18TH LONDON OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND
The event was as ever well attended, whether that was due to the free admission, I could not say. Saturday in particular was busy; Patricia had a profitable day in the shop and recruited some new members.
OCTOBER 15TH /16TH MODEL RAILWAY WEEKEND
Despite a lot of hard work by everyone, the last weekend was a let down from an attendance point of view. Wally brought his impressive collection of model coaches, Melvyn’s stall was packed as usual with his Barleylands trophies (wont have room for the Marshalls in a couple of years!), Trevor Hull ran the Model Railway club’s N Gauge layout, there was live steam and my son Daniel (all the way from Totton Hants) ran Lindsay’s layout and the Thomas track. So there was plenty to see in the Pump House which also included Railway signs on loan from Ricky Taylor. In the yard we had a Lotus Mk1, a Ford Zodiac and return visits from the Daimler Dart and Seven Valley truck. A big thanks to my parents for visiting from Chelmsford and my friend Dave who came from St. Albans. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you all to invite/nag your family and friends to come along to at least one event next year. They must know what this project means to you and therefore should be showing some support. In conclusion, well done to everyone who has worked so hard on the gate/shop/café or informing the public about our exhibits and project.
News Page
Lea Valley Experience Museum to Lead on Walthamstow’s
100 Year Celebration of
British Aviation in 2009
Besides our project leaders many other duties that he undertakes at the museum, he has also been working with Eric Verdon Roe who is Alliott Verdon Roe’s grandson, on the celebrations to mark 100 years of the first flight, by a British aviator, in an all British built plane, with a British JAP 9-hp engine on Walthamstow Marshes, on the 23rd July 1909.
To mark this achievement a full size replica of the triplane that made this record breaking flight is currently being constructed at the AVRO heritage centre at Manchester.
The objectives of the celebrations are to display and taxi the replica plane out from under the railway arches on Walthamstow marshes where the original plane was constructed. It is also proposed to have a fly past of vintage AVRO planes, quite a concept, and a great event.
The triplane will then be put on show at the Lea Valley Experience Walthamstow its true home.
Our project leader will be formulating a 2009 AVRO celebrations committee in the New Year, so watch the local press for details. We are also looking for sponsors for the event.
Our Project Leader Receives
Masters Degree
On the 22nd of October 2004 our project leader Mr. Lindsay Collier was awarded a Masters Degree in Museum and Gallery Management which he studied for at the City University London.
