| Author |
Message |
Mike Lyle
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:01 pm
Post subject: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
I remember a wooden memorial with the same words at the grave in the
cemetery near the Forbury Gardens: I don't know if it's still there.
I think the victim was a GWR employee.
"In memory of Henry West, who lost his life in a whirlwind at the
Great Western Railway Station at Reading on 24 March 1840"
[There's a brief account of the maintenance and renewal of the wooden
memorial, then the following, whose punctuation I may have got wrong,
and which I hope will display centred:]
Sudden the change,
I in a moment fell and had not time
to bid my friends farewell
Yet hushed be all complaint,
'tis sweet, 'tis blest,
to change Earth's stormy scenes
for Endless rest,
Dear Friends prepare,
take warning by my fall,
so shall you hear with joy
your Saviour's call.
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the Omrud
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:01 pm
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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Mike Lyle typed thus:
| Quote: | Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
|
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
There are photos and transcripts at:
http://www.miac.org.uk/stjohns.htm. I used to walk past them on the
way to school if I cut through the churchyard.
One of the poems reads:
My engine now is cold and still
No water does my boiler fill.
My coke affords its flame no more
My days of usefulness are o'er.
My wheels deny their noted speed
No more my guiding hands they heed.
My whistle too has lost its tone
Its shrill and thrilling sounds are gone.
My valves are now thrown open wide
My flanges all refuse to guide.
My clacks all through once so strong
Refuse to aide the busy throng.
No more I feel each urging breath
My steam is now condens'd in death.
Life's railway's oe'r each station's past
In death I'm stopp'd and rest at last.
Farewell dear friends and cease to weep
In Christ I'm safe in Him I sleep.
Oh, wow, the same site shows an early photo of the hotel where I
worked as a porter for nine months before going to university:
http://www.miac.org.uk/worcshotel.htm. Wandering around this
stunning building in the middle of the night with all the keys and
nobody else awake was an interesting experience for a 19-year-old. I
drove past a couple of years ago - it was all closed up and looking
very sad.
--
David
=====
replace the first component of address
with the definite article. |
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Mike Lyle
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:00 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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the Omrud wrote:
| Quote: | Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the
driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
[...] |
Do you think there was a specialist anonymous railway-disaster poet,
held in instant readiness in those early days? (Somewhere in the
Guardian last week there was a drawing with "Let me through! I'm a
poet!" I haven't dared try that one yet.) If it was the same scribe,
he'd obviously got a bit more regular, metrically speaking, if a lot
more fantastickal in his conceits, in the months since the Reading
disaster.
No match for McGonagall, though. Or for those marvellous unknown
American rail-smash songsters. "They gave me my orders in Monroe,
Virginia, sayin' 'Steve, you're way behind time...'"
| Quote: | Oh, wow, the same site shows an early photo of the hotel where I
worked as a porter for nine months before going to university:
http://www.miac.org.uk/worcshotel.htm. Wandering around this
stunning [...]
|
Now that's what I call a pub.
Mike.
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the Omrud
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
Mike Lyle typed thus:
| Quote: | the Omrud wrote:
Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the
driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
[...]
Do you think there was a specialist anonymous railway-disaster poet,
held in instant readiness in those early days? (Somewhere in the
Guardian last week there was a drawing with "Let me through! I'm a
poet!" I haven't dared try that one yet.) If it was the same scribe,
he'd obviously got a bit more regular, metrically speaking, if a lot
more fantastickal in his conceits, in the months since the Reading
disaster.
No match for McGonagall, though. Or for those marvellous unknown
American rail-smash songsters. "They gave me my orders in Monroe,
Virginia, sayin' 'Steve, you're way behind time...'"
Oh, wow, the same site shows an early photo of the hotel where I
worked as a porter for nine months before going to university:
http://www.miac.org.uk/worcshotel.htm. Wandering around this
stunning [...]
Now that's what I call a pub.
|
Actually, in the mid 70s it was on its uppers, and a couple of the
bars were being used by locals as their pub. We even had a Men Only
bar - women were not permitted to enter during opening hours, not
even to serve. There was a coal fire and no noise.
I felt a little guilty at the time when I nicked a set of glass ash-
trays with an image of the hotel on the bottom (in a variety of
colours). I'm glad I did now, although I don't know where they are.
Probably in the loft.
--
David
=====
replace the first component of address
with the definite article. |
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Paul Wolff
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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|
In message <2vsgqfF2pv8plU1@uni-berlin.de>, Mike Lyle
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> writes
| Quote: | Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph was
a local amateur product.
I remember a wooden memorial with the same words at the grave in the
cemetery near the Forbury Gardens: I don't know if it's still there. I
think the victim was a GWR employee.
"In memory of Henry West, who lost his life in a whirlwind at the Great
Western Railway Station at Reading on 24 March 1840"
|
The Forbury (adjacent) memorial was there last time I walked through St
Laurence's churchyard. I can't find Henry I's grave there though (nor
can anyone else, mind), but they're digging just now, but likely only
for ornamental reasons.
Nodding to English language, I presume Forbury is named for the part of
town before (spatially speaking) the abbey. R.I.P. Hugh Faringdon, the
last abbot, who came to a sticky end. Incidentally, some liberated
abbey barn timbers make a fine nave roof in St. Mary's. If that was
just a barn, what a church must the abbey have been!
--
Paul
In bocca al Lupo! |
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Mike Lyle
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
Paul Wolff wrote:
| Quote: | In message <2vsgqfF2pv8plU1@uni-berlin.de>, Mike Lyle
mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> writes
[...]
I remember a wooden memorial with the same words at the grave in
the
cemetery near the Forbury Gardens: I don't know if it's still
there. |
[...]
| Quote: | The Forbury (adjacent) memorial was there last time I walked
through
St Laurence's churchyard. I can't find Henry I's grave there
though
(nor can anyone else, mind), but they're digging just now, but
likely
only for ornamental reasons.
Nodding to English language, I presume Forbury is named for the
part
of town before (spatially speaking) the abbey. R.I.P. Hugh
Faringdon,
the last abbot, who came to a sticky end. Incidentally, some
liberated abbey barn timbers make a fine nave roof in St. Mary's.
If
that was just a barn, what a church must the abbey have been!
|
"Forbury" isn't in the Ox Dict of Eng Place-names, irritatingly.
Wasn't Henry I buried in the Abbey Church itself? (When I moved to
Wales, I took a little wallflower from the Abbey walls and
transplanted it: lasted for years.)
They were brave buggers, some of those abbots, weren't they?
My then solicitor, when I congratulated him on becoming the senior
partner, pointed out the window of his fine office and said "There's
the next stop!" The office had a fine view of that cemetery.
Mike. |
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Peter Moylan
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:02 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
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the Omrud biped:
| Quote: | One of the poems reads:
My engine now is cold and still
No water does my boiler fill.
My coke affords its flame no more
My days of usefulness are o'er.
|
Nothing to do with the railways, but this reminded me of one of
the classics.
My nookie days are over, my pilot light is out.
What used to be my sex appeal is now my water spout.
Time was when, of its own accord, from my trousers it would spring;
But now I have a full time job to find the blasted thing.
It used to be embarrassing, the way it would behave,
For every single morning it would stand and watch me shave.
But as old age approaches, it sure gives me the blues
To see it hang its withered head, and watch me tie my shoes.
--
Peter Moylan peter at ee dot newcastle dot edu dot au
http://eepjm.newcastle.edu.au (OS/2 and eCS information and software) |
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Django Cat
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:02 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 21:46:58 -0000, the Omrud <usenet.omrud@gmail.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | Mike Lyle typed thus:
the Omrud wrote:
Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the
driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
[...]
Do you think there was a specialist anonymous railway-disaster poet,
held in instant readiness in those early days? (Somewhere in the
Guardian last week there was a drawing with "Let me through! I'm a
poet!" I haven't dared try that one yet.) If it was the same scribe,
he'd obviously got a bit more regular, metrically speaking, if a lot
more fantastickal in his conceits, in the months since the Reading
disaster.
No match for McGonagall, though. Or for those marvellous unknown
American rail-smash songsters. "They gave me my orders in Monroe,
Virginia, sayin' 'Steve, you're way behind time...'"
Oh, wow, the same site shows an early photo of the hotel where I
worked as a porter for nine months before going to university:
http://www.miac.org.uk/worcshotel.htm. Wandering around this
stunning [...]
Now that's what I call a pub.
Actually, in the mid 70s it was on its uppers, and a couple of the
bars were being used by locals as their pub. We even had a Men Only
bar - women were not permitted to enter during opening hours, not
even to serve. There was a coal fire and no noise.
I felt a little guilty at the time when I nicked a set of glass ash-
trays with an image of the hotel on the bottom (in a variety of
colours). I'm glad I did now, although I don't know where they are.
Probably in the loft.
|
Fascinating run of posts there gents, interesting reading, thanks.
DC |
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Jess Askin
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:03 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
"the Omrud" <usenet.omrud@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1c0324c67e9c5d5298aa1e@news.individual.net...
| Quote: | Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
There are photos and transcripts at:
http://www.miac.org.uk/stjohns.htm. I used to walk past them on the
way to school if I cut through the churchyard.
One of the poems reads:
My engine now is cold and still
No water does my boiler fill.
My coke affords its flame no more
My days of usefulness are o'er.
My wheels deny their noted speed
No more my guiding hands they heed.
My whistle too has lost its tone
Its shrill and thrilling sounds are gone.
My valves are now thrown open wide
My flanges all refuse to guide.
My clacks all through once so strong
Refuse to aide the busy throng.
No more I feel each urging breath
My steam is now condens'd in death.
Life's railway's oe'r each station's past
In death I'm stopp'd and rest at last.
Farewell dear friends and cease to weep
In Christ I'm safe in Him I sleep.
|
Nor need we confine our attentions to anonymous bards when the celebrated T.
Baker has contributed the following (not, alas, immortalized in stone):
The trains are stopp'd, the MIGHTY CHIEFS OF FLAME
To quench their thirst the crystal water claim;
While from their post the great in crowds alight,
When, by a line-train, in its hasty flight,
Through striving to avoid it, Huskisson
By unforeseen mischance was over-run.
That stroke, alas! was death in shortest time;
Thus fell the great financier in his prime!
This fatal chance not only caused delay,
But damped the joy that erst had crown'd the day. |
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John Dean
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:00 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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|
the Omrud wrote:
| Quote: | Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
|
And for (non-rhyming) epitaphs to heroes be sure to visit Postman's Park
in London.
--
John Dean
Oxford |
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Irwell
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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|
On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 01:09:44 +0100, "John Dean" <john-dean@frag.lineone.net>
wrote:
| Quote: | the Omrud wrote:
Mike Lyle typed thus:
Spotted a plaque on the outside wall of the bar on the main "down"
platform at Reading Station, Berkshire, this afternoon. Rather
touching, I think; presumably the sententious almost-verse epitaph
was a local amateur product.
Obviously, the railways are good at this. Bromsgrove churchyard
contains an elaborately decorated pair of grave stones for the driver
and fireman who died when the boiler on their steam locomotive
exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840.
And for (non-rhyming) epitaphs to heroes be sure to visit Postman's Park
in London.
Can't remember the Church, but it is now |
a Garden Museum near Lambeth.
Anyway in the churchyard near the tomb (grave) of
Captain Bligh (of the Mutinous Bounty fame),
is a gravestone for a young man,
who was killed by lightning whilst
looking out of his window. |
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Paul Wolff
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
In message <2vsrr0F2ngu76U1@uni-berlin.de>, Mike Lyle
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> writes
| Quote: | Paul Wolff wrote:
In message <2vsgqfF2pv8plU1@uni-berlin.de>, Mike Lyle
mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> writes
"Forbury" isn't in the Ox Dict of Eng Place-names, irritatingly.
Wasn't Henry I buried in the Abbey Church itself?
|
I believe so.
| Quote: | (When I moved to
Wales, I took a little wallflower from the Abbey walls and
transplanted it: lasted for years.)
|
Ah, wallflowers! But I'm thinking of those dances ...
| Quote: |
They were brave buggers, some of those abbots, weren't they?
|
No doubt some were: I've determined to put in a colon here.
| Quote: |
My then solicitor, when I congratulated him on becoming the senior
partner, pointed out the window of his fine office and said "There's
the next stop!" The office had a fine view of that cemetery.
That'll be Blandys. There since 17-something. No 1 Friar Street, |
natch.
--
Paul
In bocca al Lupo! |
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Mike Lyle
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
Paul Wolff wrote:
| Quote: | In message <2vsrr0F2ngu76U1@uni-berlin.de>, Mike Lyle
mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> writes
[...]
My then solicitor, when I congratulated him on becoming the senior
partner, pointed out the window of his fine office and said
"There's
the next stop!" The office had a fine view of that cemetery.
That'll be Blandys. There since 17-something. No 1 Friar Street,
natch.
|
That's them.
Mike. |
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Default User
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:02 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
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|
Mike Lyle wrote:
| Quote: | "In memory of Henry West, who lost his life in a whirlwind at the
Great Western Railway Station at Reading on 24 March 1840"
|
In the sans-serif font google renders on my browser, the 'r' and 'n' in
the second word of the subject ran together to look like an 'm', so my
traitorous brain wacky-parsed it as a different word.
I sat there reading this whole message, wondering, "what the HELL does
this have to do with tomatoes?"
Brian |
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Irwell
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:02 am
Post subject: Re: English tornado: memorial on Reading Station |
|
|
On 16 Nov 2004 15:58:02 -0800, "Default User" <defaultuserbr@yahoo.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Mike Lyle wrote:
"In memory of Henry West, who lost his life in a whirlwind at the
Great Western Railway Station at Reading on 24 March 1840"
In the sans-serif font google renders on my browser, the 'r' and 'n' in
the second word of the subject ran together to look like an 'm', so my
traitorous brain wacky-parsed it as a different word.
I sat there reading this whole message, wondering, "what the HELL does
this have to do with tomatoes?"
Much torn ado about nothing! |
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