St. Mary's Island

St. Mary's Island is just off the Tyneside coast near to Whitley Bay. It is connected to the shore by a causeway, accessible at low tide. The lighthouse was constructed in 1898 and continued to operate until 1984; it is now a visitor centre.

The island was originally called Bates Island after its owners. A medieval chapel dedicated to St. Helen once stood here and a graveyard alongside was the burial ground of monks. In the 19th century George Ewen ran an inn, the Square and Compass. Complaints about trespass and rowdy behaviour led the then landlord to evict the publican.
During the 1930' and 40's there was a cafe and shop for the visitors. The owners lived on the island as did the two lighthouse keepers. Facilities were very basic. Lighting was by oil lamps and water came either from a well or was collected from the rooftops.

Visiting the island is free of charge but be aware of the tides. You may have a three or four hour wait if you are stranded. There is small admissin fee for the visitor centre


Watercolour painting by David Easton

Poet's Corner, Manchester

Poet's Corner, Long Millgate, Manchester.
In the nineteenth century, the Sun Inn became the meeting place for a group of poets who came to be known as "The Sun Inn Group". They went on to launch the Lancashire Author's Association and published an anthology "The Festive Wreath" in 1842 which included contributions from more than a dozen writers. Licensee at that time was William Earnshaw, a well educated gentleman who encouraged his literary patrons. The Sun was opposite what is now the main entrance to Chethams. Just a little further along on the left stood The Old Swan.
The photograph has been digitally coloured from a black and white image.

Consall Forge, Staffordshire

The decrepit station buildings still stood alongside the line at Consall in Staffordshire. Occasional quarry trains would rumble through the narrow valley.
This was many years before heritage steam trains returned and long after passenger services had ceased. One of the waiting rooms and the platform precariously overhung the Caldon Canal which ran alongside the railway.

Consall Station

The Black Lion pub saw few customers, mostly walkers at the weekends. Road access was through private land, forbidden to strangers and usually even to the publican.
Beer had once been delivered by passenger train. After calling at the station, the train would reverse to the doors of the pub where driver andfireman would refresh themselves while the barrels were unloaded and passengers waited patiently.

Nearby was the old flint mill which was used to grind materials for Stoke on Trent's pottery industry. Built in 1830 by John Leigh, this had originally been driven by three waterwheels.  Modernisation had seen these replaced by water turbines, the source of power
being the Caldon Canal.  Curiosity got the better of me and a few turns of a handle saw the ancient machinery spring into life. In the 1970's the mill was still in regular production.

Consall Flint Mill

There is a further relic of the past in the form of four limekins. These date from the early 19th century, the coal and limestone having been delivered by canal. 

The Caldon canal, opened in 1778 had fallen into disuse. At Consall it joined with the river Churnet. It was restoreed to full navigation in the 1970's.

Edgar Wood. Manchester Architect

Lindley Clock Tower, Huddersfield

Edgar Wood (1860 - 1935) is perhaps not well known outside of his native Manchester yet he was a leading proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement and was responsible for some notable buildings. His greatest triumph was the Church of Christ Scientist in Victoria Park. Grade 1 listed, this is one of the finest twentieth century buildings in Manchester. Constructed between 1903 and 1907 it was regarded by Pevsner as one of the most original buildings of its time, anywhere. It was the first church in Britain to be constructed for the Christian Scientists and was decorated with bronze biblical lettering,an arabic organ screen and furniture designed by Wood himself. It closed as a church in 1971 and was occupied by the Edgar Wood Centre for nearly 30 years. It is once more a place of worship being a centre for the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.
At least twenty of Wood's buildings are Grade 1 or 2 listed.
Wood was also an accomplished artist and often painted in Italy, the country to which he retired. 

Church of Christ Scientist

Manchester Old Road, Middleton

Upmeads, Staffordshire

A Mediterranean Market

Discover Nottingham's Secret Chambers

In 1330 Britain was under the rule of Sir Roger de Mortimer in opposition to the King, Edward III. Mortimer was staying at Nottingham Castle and the King was also in the town. From the Brewhouse Yard, a tunnel climbs uphill to the castle. This was the route taken by the Kings men to capture Mortimer who was subsequently hanged at Tyburn.

 

Nottingham stands on soft sandstone rock which is honeycombed with man made caves, more than 540 at the last count. The history of the caves is centuries old. They have been dug as communication tunnels, warehouses, brewery and pub cellars, tanneries, skittle alley, sand mines, air raid shelters and in times of overcrowding as dwellings.
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem claims to be the oldest pub in England having been established in 1189. A number of others challenge this claim including The Bell and The Salutation, both in the city. The building itself is only about 300 years old having been constructed on earlier foundations. The name refers to the Crusader knights who would call for refreshment on their way to the Holy Land. The "Trip" stands against the cliff face of Castle Rock and several of the rooms feature excavations into the sandstone. It is even possible to sit under a rock chimney. Beneath the pub, a network of caves dating from about 1068 once served as a brewery. These are now the cellars and tours can be made. Beware the model galleon suspended from the first floor ceiling. It carries a fatal curse - touch it at your peril. Women should be wary of sitting in the antique chair for they will surely become pregnant.
In Derby Road is the Hand and Heart public house dating from 1866. Built as a brewery, the beer was stored in the cave. The public house was soon added and apart from the addition of a conservatory to the first floor terrace, has been little altered. Many of the public areas are underground. Enjoy your refreshments in a cave.
The Park is a large, exclusive residential estate, largely developed in Victorian times on land which was once the Castle deer park. The Park, partly gated, is still gas lit. The main pedestrian access is by a tunnel through the sandstone. Midway along is a stairway leading to the street above. Originally constructed for horsedrawn carriages the road was found to be too steep. A number of the houses have follies in the form of eloborate staircases leading to tunnels which lead to their gardens. Wealthy lace manufacturer, Thomas Herbert went one better. His cave features a number of statues carved from sandstone depicting "Daniel in the Lions' Den".
In the area of Mansfield Road a number of sand mines were dug. Several were on a commercial scale and the handworked produce was carried to the surface by donkey. Rouse's sandmine was the largest, about 200 metres in length. It was worked until 1810 and supplied an a nearby glass works. The mine was re-opened in the 1890's as a tourist attraction "Robin Hood's Mammoth Cave". A number of houses nearby had tunnels from their basements, directly into the mine.
Both Shipstones Brewery and Nottingham Brewery dug large cellars. The constant temperature of 14 degrees was ideal for storing beer. 28 underground malt kilns have been recorded each being of a spherical form with adjacent access tunnels.
The original Sneinton Hermitage was a medieval religious house cut into the rock face. It had included a circular rock chapel 12 metres in circumference and 6 metres high. It was supported by 6 large pillars. The rock face, 300 metres long contained Nottingham's largest group of cave dwellings. Many of these were of two storeys with stone staircases. Windows were glazed and often shelves and cupboards were cut into the rock. Some had their own well. Diversion of a road in 1904 saw the destruction of most. A few remained and have recently been restored and are occasionally open to the public
Nottingham once had many cave dwellings brought about by the high demand for housing in a rapidly growing city. The poorer of these were reached by ladder. Living conditions were appalling and overcrowded and an act of Parliament in 1845 banned them. This did not have a immediate effect for it was perhaps another 100 years before the last homes were vacated.
Even Church Rock Cemetery has caves! Laid out in an old sandpit, the graves are interspersed with a number of rock outcrops and two areas are linked by a gated tunnel. Midway is a junction where a second tunnel leads to a number of chambers originally intended for use as catacombs. Victorian funeral fashions changed and the project was never completed.
In the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre is the entrance to the visitor attraction "City of Caves". Here can be seen the remnants of Drury Hill, a medieval district that was to become an appalling slum. Two of the caves, one of which originated in the 13th century housed a tannery There are clay lime pits and vats to be seen and the cave opens to the River Leen where the skins were washed. This cave system is one of many used in wartime as an air raid shelter. excavations were made at that time to fill protective sandbags. "City of Caves" is open daily - their website has more information : http://www.cityofcaves.com/
Most of Nottingham's caves are private property and a number are still in use, mostly for storage or as workshops. Many remain hidden under buildings and will perhaps be discovered in future years. The Nottingham Caves Survey website has much information including an interactive map. http://nottinghamcavessurvey.org.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britain's historic airport

Just six miles west of Manchester, Barton is one of Britain's busiest general aviation airports.
Opened in 1930, this was the first municipal airport and boasted the first control tower in Britain; it was able to communicate with aircraft in flight. The control tower, Grade II listed has recently been renovated as have the original hanger and terminal building. Barton was preceded as Manchester's airport by a temporary airfield in Wythenshaw which opened in 1929. This operated for less than a year while the new facilities were completed and a 2 seater air charter service was offered at one shilling per mile. Passenger services operated from the start with a three times a week flight to Croydon. Within a few years Belfast, Glasgow and the Isle of Man were among new destinations.
It was soon realised that Barton did not offer scope for expansion, nor facilities for larger aircraft and by 1938 services transferred to the new airport at Ringway. The airport was used for maintainance and assembly of military aircraft during World War II and it became the destination for the only wartime air service from Ireland operated by an Aer Lingus DC3.
Barton is now owned by a Peel Group subsidiary and has been re-named City Airport. It has four grass runways and a newly equipped heliport. More than 120 aeroplanes are based there as well as a police helicopter and air ambulance. The airport encourages visitors and offers a restaurant and bar as well as a museum and aircraft viewing area. The control tower balcony is also open to the public and provides an excellent view.
Little changed since opening, Barton still looks very much like an airport of the 1930's and is often used by TV and film companies to provide a period setting.

 

 

 

 

A sea voyage on rails

"Daddy Long Legs" was its popular name; officially The Brighton and Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railway. It ran for just a brief period from 1896 to 1901. Was it a railway, tram, moving pier, or a boat ? A combination of all of those perhaps. The journey was regarded by law as a sea voyage and as such required a lifeboat and other safety equipment. The car had to be piloted by a registered sea captain so the driver was a master mariner.
It ran on tracks 18 feet laid on concrete sleepers firmly anchored to the sea bed. Pylons were installed on the landward side of the line and these supported the wires that carried the electric supply. The car named Pioneer was 45ft long and had a central saloon. An upper deck was accessed by a staircase. The four legs were each 23ft long. The car was driven from controllers at each end of the deck.
Magnus Volk was the designer and owner of this contraption. He had opened Volk's Electric Railway along Brighton's eastern shoreline in 1883, a little narrow gauge railway still running today. His seashore railway and electric railway met at Paston Place and from there one could travel through the waves to Rottingdean a distance of 3 miles. The car would "dock" at piers at each end and the fare was 6d. It wasn't a fast journey and at high tide the underpowered electric motors struggled to make a speed of one mile per hour.
Construction started in 1894 and the railway opened in November 1896. Just a week later it was severely damaged in a storm and had to be rebuilt. The car named Pioneer had been knocked over by the waves. It wasn't until July 1897 that it re-opened. Although the line was popular it was faced with diversion in 1901. Sadly Volk could not afford to pay for the work and the line was dismantled. Although the tracks were removed, the concrete sleepers are still visible at low tide.
Brighton's Daddy Long Legs had a predecessor in San Malo, Brittany. Pont Roulant (rolling bridge) made a 200 metre crossing of the harbour and although similar to Volk's sea railway, this was chain hauled. It was more successful and operated for nearly 50 years. In 1923 it was damaged by a passing ship and closed. The open harbour mouth has now been replaced by a road and bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Bartholomew

The church of St Bartholomew the great in West Smithfield is London's oldest church. It was founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123. The church is reached through the archway in the picture below. This 19th century image has been digitally coloured. When compared with the modern frontage, it is obvious that all is not as it seems

.https://www.elance.com/s/parabuild/

The Quietest Place Under The Sun

The little town of Clun lies in deepest Shropshire, close to the Welsh Border. In the mid 60's when I first stayed at the Boar's Head it was as quiet and remote as it always had been and will ever be. Clun had the rustic charm of communities which we only read of in pre war novels but seldom find in reality. The town had more fascinating "characters" than even the most imaginative writer could dream up.

Walter lived in a wooden hut with his chickens and was permanently dirty. His coat tied with a rope, his dog with a string. The Home Guard on their 1964 outing to Blackpool washed him in the river before allowing him on the coach. They lost him in the resort and it was 3 days before he returned home.

The deaf mute, who was constantly begging matches for his clay pipe was still going strong in the 90's. He could be heard roaring, his only voice, as he tottered home late at night.

For the annual show, the sheep were cleared from the castle and marquees erected. The small tent housed the marrows and leeks; the larger served beer to the entire population, packed in and happy.

The museum seldom opened its doors. The curator, the retired constable would open up for you if you called at his home.

The cafe had shelves stacked with beans and spaghetti and a counter for sweets. Children always asked for something from the back and rifled the display while the proprietor was away.

I woke each morning to the sound of a shot and a squeal as yet another pig was butchered at the shop opposite.

Honey was made next door to the inn and the hotel opposite served only sour beer to the rare customer in its dank and dusty bar.

The road to Newtown climbed steep and narrow and at its peak was a pub which served beer to the dry Welsh on Sundays. Mostly though, patrons were kept away by the landlord and his shotgun.

Across the river stood the church at it's commanding position. Picture hatted of course, the vicar's wife with committees to chair.

The bus came once a fortnight for shoppers and Shrewsbury fans. It was a long walk the rest of the time.

David Easton
" Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun are the quietest places under the sun"

A.E.Housman

Beneath a Surrey Lake

Lea Park and the adjoining South Park Farm were purchased in 1890 from the Earl of Derby. The new owner, J. Whittaker Wright had made and lost a fortune in the United States through mining. Returning home to England, he used his knowledge of mining to promote colonial prospects on the London market. He was soon a wealthy man again and developed his new property at great expense. The original mock tudor house was rebuilt as a large mansion amidst landscaped grounds and ornamental lakes. The enlarged house with 32 bedrooms was on an extravagant scale and contained a ballroom, observatory, theatre and even a hospital.

One of the lakes concealed an underwater folly which, often referred to as a ballroom, was used as a smoking and billiard room and for observation of the lake fish. A statue of neptune, breaking the surface of the water surmounted the dome beneath.

The folly cost nearly half a million pounds to build but soon after completion, Wright was in trouble. His company collapsed, leaving many investors bankrupt. Wright was charged with fraud and in 1904 was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. He had, however, smuggled a cyanide into court and committed suicide in the presence of his solicitor.
The estate was sold to Lord Pirrie, chairman of Harland and Wolff, builders of the Titanic. Adjacent common land passed the The National Trust. The Leigh family were later owners and changed the name to Witley Park. The house burned down in 1952 and a modern replacement was built on a new site. The follies remain although there is no current access to the underwater passages and rooms.

Bloomsbury WC1

Bloomsbury is a district of  Central London between  Holborn and Euston. It is home to the British Museum, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, several hospitals 

and University of London faculties. The area was developed by landowners such as the Earl of Southampton and the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford. Building began in the 17th century although the Bloomsbury of today dates largely from the 19th century. This is an area noted for its squares containing small, parks some of which remain gated for the exclusive use of the residents who are provided with keys.  The streets are typically lined with fashionable georgian town houses although the southern parts are more institutional and commercial. 

This part of London has long been associated with the Bloomsbury Group, a loose association of influential artists, writers and intellectuals who from 1904 regularly met at the 46 Gordon Square home of the  Stephen

46 Gordon Square

Family. They only lived at this house for two years before moving to Sussex but they had already made their mark.  In 1916 the house was bought by economist and fellow Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes. It remained his London home for 30 years

Thoby Stephen introduced many of the friends that he had made at Cambridge and they too often settled in the locality. There is a bust of Thoby's sister, Virginia Woolf in nearby Tavistock Square Gardens.

The Bloomsbury Group apart, this district has long associations with the arts and literature. Charles Dickens, J. M. Barrie, Vera Brittain and William Butler Yeats are just a few of the famous residents. Bloomsbury abounds with blue plaques.

John Everett Millais had a studio at the Gower Street home of his parents. Here in 1848, Millais, Hunt and Rosetti founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; a group of artists who advocated a return to the quality of 15th century Italian art.  

Publisher Faber and Faber had its offices at Tavistock Square, the editor being poet T. S. Eliot.

There are three important churches in Bloomsbury. St George's built in 1731, the gothic Christ the King of 1853 and St. Pancras New Church of 1822. Coram's Fields on the site of a foundling hospital is home to a small flock of sheep, unusual residents for Central London. Adults may not enter the park unless accompanied by children.

Each year there is the Bloomsbury Festival in Russell Square which includes an arts and crafts fair, dance workshops and food stalls. Bloomsbury has numerous hotels, restaurants, pubs and a good selection of interesting shopping.

Family. They only lived at this house for two years before moving to Sussex but they had already made their mark.  In 1916 the house was bought by economist and fellow Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes. It remained his London home for 30 years.

The Bloomsbury Group

Follw this link to the full story of the Bloomsbury Group and its members :   http://brickcourse.blogspot.co.uk/p/artful-trick.html

Take a ride around ghostly Lincoln

As befits a city as old as Lincoln, there are numerous phantoms haunting the streets and buildings, especially in the medieval quarters. We will visit just a few.

A pedestrian street climbs high to Lincoln's historic Bailgate quarter. The lower part is called "The Strait" and on our left we pass "The Jew's House". Here one might hear footsteps on the staircase, voices in the corridors and utensils being clattered about in the empty kitchen. 

Soon the road becomes known appropriately as "Steep Hill".  Tempted to call at Brown's Pie Shop?  Listen out for coins being counted !  Watch out for Humphrey, the young lad who sometimes runs around the shop or the young girl who is occasionally to be seen.
We might also call at the coffee shop on Steep Hill.  There's a mysterious young boy here as well as a man in a grey suit who has his own vanishing rick.

It's a relief to reach Castle Hill and level ground.  Don't feel too sorry for the malnourished lurcher dog that you might see near the Castle walls.  His owner William Clark was hanged for murder and the dog is looking for his master. Sometimes he will bark and scratch at the door of The Struggler's Inn on nearby Westgate. He has been known to sit by the bar and to brush against the legs of customers.

To our left is the Castle Hill Club. Here, the ghost takes pleasure in pinching the bottoms of visitors !

At the Castle gate just ahead, a man riding a black horse has been seen. As he approached the closed doors he called out "open the gates" before disappearing through them.

The Cathedral itself has many ghosts and a famous imp.  Lincoln's symbol is that devellish creature and legend tells us that two were sent to the city intent on making mischief. Having smashed up Cathedral furniture and tripped up the Bishop they were confronted by an angel. The braver imp retaliated by throwing rocks at the angel and for his trouble was turned to stone.  He can be seen above one of the Cathedral pillars.  The second imp hid under the broken chairs and made his escape but his presence can still be felt as he dashes around seeking his accomplice.
One could also see the holy man with a chain around his neck, a procession of monks, the re-enactment of a suicidal leap from the tower or hear a phantom peal of bells.

Within the Cathedral precinct is Queen Anne's Well. Walk around it seven times to summon the Devil.  If you then put your finger in one of the holes in the door you will feel his breath; but only if you have been good. If you are bad, he will bite it off.

Just below the Cathedral is the Edward King House, once the Bishop's Palace.  In the late 1800's the Bishop was lured from his home by some would be robbers. Some years later one of the villains confessed that he would have carried out the crime but for the large, strong man who accompanied the cleric.  Although the Bishop remembered the occassion, he declared that he had been alone that night.

Next door is the Great Hall where a woman's skull once graced the room.  When it was removed it started to scream and had to be returned. The owners bricked it up in a wall to avoid any further troubles but she continues to haunt the hall.

We are now close to Greenstone Stairs, a long flight of steps leading down the southern side of The Hill.  Ghostly monks inhabit this area as does a woman holding a baby. Worst of all of the city's ghosts must be the head that bounces down the steps knocking over all who stand in its path.

If we can tempt you to spend a night or two in Lincoln, perhaps a room at the White Hart Hotel will suit. Here is a floating light, a woman in a mob cap, a highwayman and restaurant food that jumps from the plate. We just hope your rest is not disturbed by the sound of gunfire.

Are Ye Right There Michael

   
    You may talk of Columbus's sailing
    Across the Atlantical Sea
    But he never tried to go railing
    From Ennis as far as Kilkee
    You run for the train in the morning
    The excursion train starting at eight
    You're there when the clock gives the warnin'
    And there for an hour you'll wait
    And as you're waiting in the train
    You'll hear the guard sing this refrain:

    Are ye right there, Michael, are ye right?
    Do you think that we'll be there before the night?
    Ye've been so long in startin'
    That ye couldn't say for certain
    Still ye might now, Michael
    So ye might!

Large parts of rural Ireland were barely accessible in the nineteenth century so government encouraged the construction of light railways to a narrow gauge. Hundreds of miles of railway were thus constructed at a relatively low cost and one such was the West Clare Railway. This 43km line ran from Ennis to the coastal towns of Kilrush and Kilkee and operated from 1887 until 1961. It was operated by an independent company until becoming part of the Great Southern Railway in 1925.  A 5km stretch of the line has now been reconstructed and tourist trains are operated

    They find out where the engine's been hiding
    And it drags you to sweet Corofin
    Says the guard: "Back her down on the siding
    There's a goods from Kilrush coming in."
    Perhaps it comes in two hours
    Perhaps it breaks down on the way
    "If it does," says the guard, "by the powers
    We're here for the rest of the day!"
     And while you sit and curse your luck
    The train backs down into a truck.

William Percy French was from an Anglo Irish family who had
lived at Cloonyquin House, Co. Roscommon sine the 17th century. He was educated at Trinity College where he took rather a long time to earn his B A in Civil Engineering. By his own admission he was more interested in tennis, painting and banjo playing. He was to write his first popular song whilst at University "Abdallah Bulbul Ameer" which became a great hit.  French took a number of short term posts before settling into employment with the Board of Works in Cavan. Although well paid, he did not enjoy "inspecting drains"  so in his spare time he took to song writing and watercolour painting.

 

    Are ye right there, Michael, are ye right?
    Have ye got the parcel there for Mrs White?
    Ye haven't, oh begorra
    Say it's comin' down tomorra
    And well it might now, Michael
    So it might

In 1888, French's employment came to an end due to cuts in council expenditure !  He returned to Dublin where he was offered the post of editor with a satirical weekly paper "The Jarvey". The journal was not popular and soon ceased publication. French now took a part in a theatrical revue "Dublin Up To Date". His comic songs, anecdotes and sketches were to prove so popular that he started touring. First performing in London, then the U. S. A., Canada and the West Indies. He continued to tour Europe, Britain and Ireland almost until the time of his death in 1920.  French was a popular performer, well known in his days. Many of his songs such as "Mountains of Mourne" were major hits.

    At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
    With joy you are ready to shout
    When the stoker cries out: "There's no fuel
    And the fire's tee-totally out!
    But hand up that bit of a log there
    I'll soon have ye out of the fix
    There's fine clamp of turf in the bog there
    And the rest go a-gatherin' sticks."

In 1896 French was due to appear in Kilkee, Co Clare for a concert. He left Dublin at eight in the  morning for Ennis where he changed for the 12.30 West Clare train. The 25 mile journey should have taken a leisurely three hours but on approaching Miltown Malbay the train came to a halt.  The fireman found that the water tank contained a lot of weeds and so dropped his fire rather that risk the engine which was in danger of exploding.  It was nearly five hours before a replacement engine arrived and the train finally arrived at Kilkee at 8.20.  French was to find that almost all of his audience had given up and gone home.

    And while you're breakin' bits of trees
    You hear some wise remarks like these:

    "Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
    Do ye think that you can get the fire to light?
    Oh, an hour you'll require
    For the turf it might be drier
    Well it might now, Michael
    So it might."

Percy French successfully sued the railway for loss of earnings and was awarded £10 compensation. He wrote the song "Are Ye Right There Michael" as a parody of the railway and its operations.

    Kilkee! Oh you never get near it!
    You're in luck if the train brings you back
    For the permanent way is so queer
    It spends most of its time off the track.
    Uphill the old engine is climbin'
    While the passengers push with a will
    You're in luck when you reach Ennistymon
    For all the way home is downhill.

  
The West Clare Railway challenged the judgement and an appeal was to be heard. On arriving an hour late at court, French was admonished by the judge. He apoplogised but when he explained that his train was an hour late, the case was dismissed.

 And as you're wobblin' through the dark
    you hear the guard make this remark:

    "Are you right there, Michael, are ye right?
    Do you think that you'll be home before it's light?"
    "Tis all dependin' whether
    The old engine holds together—
    And it might now, Michael, so it might! (so it might),
    And it might, now, Michael, so it might."

Most of French's songs are now long forgotten but his work as an artist is still popular. He was an accomplished watercolour painter and many of his pictures depict Ireland's mountainous landscape. He was always able to find a market in Dublin. Now his work is sought after and can fetch as much as £6000 in auction.

Marvellous Machines

Rowland Emett 1906 - 1990 was a draughtsman, artist, cartoonist and most famously a creator of "things" as he called his fanciful machines. 

 During the 40's; 50's and 60's his work appeared regularly in Punch magazine. He was to become famous in the United States after a feature in Life magazine and many examples of his work are to be found in museums and institutes in that country.  Many of his designs were for trains, often drawn by locomotives with odd names and exaggerated features. His Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway was re-created for the Festival of Britain of 1951. It continued to operate until 1975. 

Many of Emett's designs were actually built and some of these machines work today. One famous creation is the clock in Nottingham's Victoria Centre.

William Heath Robinson 1872 - 1944 was also a cartoonist although his early work was that of a book illustrator.

 The term "heath robinson" came to be used during the first world war to describe a makeshift device or repair. Like Emmet, Heath Robinson designed fanciful machines, often to conduct absurd operations such as rejuvinating stale scones or removing warts from the top of ones head. His work appeared in a varieety of magazines as well as being commissioned to illustrate advertising campaigns.