Monthly Archives: July 2015
Image from Network Rail
An exhibition by the Rail Delivery Group highlighting the important role of women in the railways during WW1 has just opened in London.
This free exhibition will be at London Charing Cross station until 10 August when it will move to King’s Cross station until August 31. After this it will be touring around the country – details of future locations will be announced here.
The railway played an important part in WW1, transporting troops, horses, military equipment and medical supplies around the country. Almost 100,000 men left the railways to fight in WW1 leaving a huge skills shortage. At the start of the war there were about 13,000 women, mainly in domestic positions, in the railways. By the end of the war there were over 70,000, in a vast range of roles.
The exhibition includes photos, soldiers’ letters and unique memorabilia commemorating the role of the railways in WW1 – the railway workers who fought in the war, including the soldiers who lost their lives, the soldiers honoured for their bravery, and of course, the women, who kept the railways at home running.
Phil Hufton, managing director of operations at Network Rail added: “Without the contribution of women, the railway could not have played such a significant part in the war effort. We owe a great debt to them and to the thousands of railway workers who fought. It is important for us to know their stories and ensure that they are not forgotten. This exhibition, which will be touring the country, has been created by the rail industry as a reminder to us all.”
Exhibition photographs have been supplied by the National Railway Museum. All relevant historical images accompanying this press release should be credited to the National Railway Museum.
The Emergency Services Show is scheduled for Sunday 13 September 2015, and the organisers are delighted to announce that the show has just been awarded charitable trust status.
The Emergency Services Show was started in 2005 by a committee of volunteers from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service and the Highways Agency. Their mission was to raise some much needed funds, highlight some essential community safety messaging, raise the awareness of some of the lesser known blue light services and demonstrate the collaborative working of all the Emergency Services.
Last year’s show raised over £30,000.00 and the organisers are hoping that this 10th anniversary show will be even more successful.
2015 sees the start of a new e-ticketing solution which should speed up the ticket buying process, and reduce queuing to get into the show – buy tickets online
The Emergency Services Show 2015 is looking forward to featuring some of the great attractions from 2014 as well as some new ones
- Wiltshire Police’s dog section – both searching for drugs and tackling armed criminals
- South Western Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team
- Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service’s animal rescue specialists
- Avon Fire & Rescue Service showing the dangers of a chip pan fire
- A multi-agency road traffic collision simulation
- Attendance of both Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Great Western Air Ambulance
- A wide range of new and vintage emergency vehicles
- Fire engine and police car rides
- Ride in a Monster Truck
- Try a Go at Motorsport at the Go Motorsport Arena
- A fairground, model aircraft display, go-karting and much more!
- Community safety advice
- Recruitment information
- Trade Stands
This show promises to be a great day out and will raise some much needed funds for these incredible services. Do go if you can.
