Pix Of The Day: Enigmatic Fishing Pier Mystery
CREDITS: © Garth Newton/IlkCAM.com MAPS: Shipley (and detail).
When clicked, thumbnails popup enlarged versions of the images.

We have been unable to determine why we find this picture so compelling. After an earlier sampling of the delights of Alton Towers (a gallery from which we also featured a garden picture), Garth Newton and the IlkestonCAM went to the local amusement park to do some comparison shopping. Quickly bypassing the white knuckle rides of the 'American Adventure' (something we never did, and never regretted, hahaha!), they enjoyed the more tranquil purlieus of Shipley Park. There is a lot of history between the lines of text, and pictures, in Garth's feature. You may also visit a tribute gallery Garth has created on ClubPhoto, which features an industrial memorial, created from the mine headstock and winding wheels from the former Woodside Colliery.

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On This Day In 2002: Transport of Delight - Thu, 03 Oct 2002

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Ann Bowker, who is 'Mad About Mountains', spotted this delightful steam traction engine making its way below Rowling End in the English Lake District. The road climbs westward to Newlands Hause, and then descends steeply into the Buttermere valley. We just hope the brakes were in good shape for the downhill section.

You may catch Ann's frequent updates, with pictures from her mountain adventures, by using the link in the sidebar pulldown menu. More information about these wonderful machines is available from the Threshers Bush Steam Club.

Fred Dibnah is probably Britain's most famous traction engine restorer. Fred's two passions in life are knocking down chimneys and restoring steam vehicles. He was featured on a BBC television documentary that showed him bringing down one of the huge old mill chimneys in his home county of Lancashire in the industrial northwest England. The public took an immediate liking to this no nonsense, down to earth character, who is a natural born entertainer.

More TV appearances led to a series when Fred looked at buildings that were worth preserving, rather than buildings he fancied knocking down. In another series the legacies of the Industrial Revolution were examined with characteristic bluff honesty. Fred owns six traction engines, and often attends steam rallies with 'Betsy', who must be almost as famous as Fred.

None of this has gone to Fred's head though, and he still comes across as a worthy recipient of our 'BIG KID: please make sure I get a window seat' T-shirt.

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