... To Consider Cement (mini blog 1)
When fbb last drove through Breedon-on-the-Hil, he was at the wheel of "Gladys", his very first motor. It was a blue A60 van, ex Pump Maintenance.
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| Similar model and colour to fbb's |
fbb well remembers that, if you couldn't find the ignition key, a Bic pen top would start the engine!
The journey was in approx 1970. On his way to Stockport (or some such bit of Greater Manchester) he passed through Breedon-on-the-Hill.
It is south west of Derby, and, when fbb drove past, the shiny A42 dual carriageway (in GREEN) simply did not exist. Neither easily observed today is the spooky view that greeted fbb as he passed through the village all those years ago
There, perched precariously atop a sheer quarry rock face was a superb church.
This quarry is no longer worked and vegetation is taking over.
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It was this church upon its quarry face which inspired fbb as he built his outdoor model railway. Here is the very first rock face ...
... and here it is, now indoors, with the village of Peterville surrounding the church!
The deviation from the original inspiration was to give fbb an opportunity for modelling more than a church.
The map quoted above shows the church (top) and a second and working quarry (bottom).
The company that quarries in this second huge whole hole is now called, cleverly ...
... and simply, "Breedon"; but over the last twenty years or so, the operation has extended massively.
Their infrastructure is, likewise, huge!
One of the two cement plants acquired over this period is very well known to fbb. It is the celebrated Hope Valley Cement Works ...
... which intrudes glaringly into the gorgeous countryside of the Peak District of Derbyshire. Its associated quarry is equally huge.
Much of its output goes by rail via the Hope Valley line that runs between Sheffield and Manchester. The link with the private works tracks is at Earles Siding, a name which respects the former owners of the works and quarry.
An older picture of the works (below) shows ex BR class 20 locos busily preparing trains of four wheeled cement wagons for onward transit.
More cement on Thursday.
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"NOT the Advent Calendar", but ...
The
CHRIST -mas
Criss-muss
Confusion
Critique 17
Of course there is nothing intrinsically WRONG with having a party ...
Surely it would be better to celebrate something life changing; something that includes an offer to sort out a person's problems and even, in extremis. to sort out the problems of the world.
Back to John's Gospel.
In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God.
We can understand "the Word" as a simple way of defining the activity and authority of God
The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.
Hands up those who would like to see a world of light rather than a world full of the darkness of worry and conflict?
Sounds a good idea!
O little village, Bethlehem,
How still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by:
Yet in your dark streets shining,
Is everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in you tonight.
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Next First & RATP blog : Weds 18th Dec
Breedon-on-the Hill, which is in Leicestershire, is not SW of Derby: more like SSE.
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