Walked to the Keep-fit Centre by the Malthouse on Moss Lane to attend a re-union of people who use to work at the Hygienic Laundry (Pennine Cleaners) in Chorley. The depot was closed in 2007. The event was organised by one of he retired managers, Mr Bertrand Potts, and he should be congratulated on the splendid job he did of the event. Around 30 people turned up and Bertrand had put up several displays of photographs of memorabilia. It was fascinating for me to see some of the earliest photographs from around 1907 when the business commenced.

A float in the annual trades procession 1908

The delivery fleet in 1910 by the original building

The enlarged works in 1915. Note the state of the road.

The re-union pose for a group photo. Bertrand Potts is seated front centre

Having been submitting photographic prints to various competitions for 37 years I have accumulated far too many mounted prints. They are lying around the house in various locations and are taking far too much space. The vast majority have not been looked at in years and will probably never see the light of an exhibition gallery again so I have decided to get rid of them. This afternoon I started the first of my print pyres as the only realistic disposal method. Before consigning them to the flames I took a quick digital photo of each print so I know what’s gone.

Ladakh

Kashmir

Divers by the screw of the Apapa

The 06:31 train to Edinburgh was late but as I didn’t have any connections to make I wasn’t particularly bothered. Unfortunately several people on Chorley railway Station were heading for Preston and a connection to London, which they were going to miss. By 9:30 I had arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station and set off towards the Palace of Holyroodhouse and ‘The Heart of the Great Alone’ exhibition in the Queen’s Gallery. It covers some of the best Antarctic Photography ever taken by Herbert Ponting with Captain Scott and Frank Hurley with Ernest Shackleton. Most of the images cover approx 10 years up to the return of Hurley and Shackleton in 1916.

Mausoleum of David Hume
(1711 - 1776) Scottish philosopher, economist, historian.

Last week while cycling from York to Goole I passed the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington and thought a visit at some future date would be interesting. Today is that future date and it was interesting. There's something for everybody. Lots of huts with memorabilia and photographs and aircraft out on the tarmac and also in a huge hangar.

Radio communications c1940s.
All valves wires and dials.

The official website doesn't include a decent site plan, so here's one from the museum.

Signals Section, Elvington 1942-43

77 Squadron R.A.F. Full Sutton July 1945 The Squadron Aircrew on conversion to Dakotas. It was goodbye to the Halifax when the Squadron left Bomber Command and joined Transport Command in preparation for the invasion of Japan.

These ladies of 77 Squadron belonged to the Royal Flying Corps prior to April 1st 1918, the date the Royal Air Force came in to being. This photograph taken May/June 1918 shows the C.O. in the new R.A.F. uniform but her girls now W.R.A.F.,s still wear the shoulder flashes of the R.F.C. on their service dress. These women are the first WRAFs/WAAF.s to serve in the Royal Air Force.

Instant road block near the village of Tockwith, 1944.

Victor K.2 XL231, also known affectionately as 'Lusty Lindy'. Her previous life since entry into service in 1961 included serving with 139 Squadron as part of the V Bomber force (alongside Vulcan and Valiant). Her finest RAF hour was during the Gulf War in 1991 as part of Operation Granby. During the Falklands conflict she was involved in the refuelling of flights to and from the war zone.

A closer view of Lusty Lindy.

Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer low level Strike and Reconnaissance aircraft (1964-1991)