News
Autogyros – Dark Arts, Light Aircraft
Dr Phillip Judkins and Squadron Leader Mike Dean MBE on the role of autogyros in calibrating Battle of Britain radar stations.
A Newcomen Member’s Guide to “The Saltscape”
A Newcomen Member’s Guide to “The Saltscape” These notes were prepared for those attending The Society’s 2018 Symposium on The White Salt Industry. They have been dusted off [...]
Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station Plays Out
On March 31st 2020, amidst the Covid-19 pandemonium, Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), the latest owners of Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station, finally shut down its turbines; this after a long period of doubt & temporary stoppages.
Kenneth Yeomans Award (Updated)
The Society has recently granted the Award to two recipients: The Museum of Carpet (Kidderminster) and Sheffield's Kelham Island Museum. The funding has also been increased - propositions are welcome.
80 Years of Cavity Magnetron
This year, 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of the development of the cavity magnetron, a small but immensely powerful and robust radio valve, at first used in wartime radars and today at the heart of every microwave oven.
Hazards “Mr Tetin Smelt Gas And Lit A Match!”
A house in St. Mary’s Road, Upton Park was partly wrecked and completely cut in two on Saturday by a gas explosion. The furniture was reduced to a mass of debris, while Mr George Tetin, the occupier, was injured and his wife and two daughters had narrow escapes. Fifty canaries in the dining room were also uninjured.
Looming Large at the Museum of Carpet
The tremendous noise of power looms weaving carpet fills the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster each time the volunteer weavers run these giant machines. This is not an easy job and requires years of training. They are not simply weaving a flat cloth, but create a three dimensional product which is velvety and luxurious.
The Hazards of New Technology
I am currently locked down at Clevedon Court, our family house in Somerset continuing the long task of transcribing the diaries of my great-great grandfather, Sir Arthur Elton (1819-1883). They throw up a lot of interesting things about the difficulties of introducing modern conveniences to an enormous mediaeval house.
Runcorn To Widnes Bridge Refurbishment
The newly refurbished Runcorn to Widnes Road Bridge (also known as The Silver Jubilee Bridge) was originally designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson with steelwork by Dorman-Long (Bridge and Engineering). Work began in 1956 and it opened in 1961.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – PLEASE READ
The Newcomen Position on Coronavirus Given Government advice on the likely duration of the Coronavirus epidemic, we are working on the principle of postponement rather than cancellation of events. [...]