Welcome to WIAS!
We hope that we can boost our ZOOM audience amongst members & visitors who have preferred not to use it before. Help and advice is readily available – please get in touch. If you haven’t joined a ZOOM meeting before please consider giving it a try!
Non – Members are very welcome at Live meetings and ‘ZOOM’ meetings. If you would like to join a ‘ZOOM’ meeting please complete our simple form at this link. WIAS suggests a voluntary donation of £3 for non-members to assist with running costs.
WIAS guide to joining a Zoom meeting
Welcome to WIAS 2026 – First meeting of the year is the last of our winter Zoom only meetings on Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm, (join from 7pm onwards). The subject is ‘Concorde: The First Time Machine’ by Guy Bartlett. 16th Jan 2026
ZOOM – David Daniels has produced a set of notes to assist members with their IT equipment. Click here. Notes on joining a Zoom meeting, by Victor Lobb, are also available in the text above. 19th November 2025
WIAS Newsletter – Issue number 87 is now available on the web site, click here. Thank you to all involved in its production. 19th November 2025
Coventry will be hosting a moving civic service and vigil in Coventry Cathedral on Friday, 14th November to mark the 85th anniversary of Coventry Blitz.
As well as offering a moment of reflection, it is also an opportunity for everyone to continue to think about how we can work towards peace and reconciliation moving forward. As part of the service, two sirens will sound at 6.45pm to mark the air raid in 1940. This will be followed by a 2-minute silence and an opportunity for people to pay their own respects or take a moment to remember those who suffered so much on that fateful night. Much of the industrial infrastructure of the city was destroyed in the raid. 14th November 2025
WIAS Visits. The Society has enjoyed two excellent visits recently – firstly to Sherbourne Recycling in Coventry and secondly to Vitsoe furniture design in Leamington. Sherbourne vividly demonstrated the benefits of advanced technology, including AI, whilst Vitsoe relied on trusted materials and design in the presentation of its current range. Both were fascinating and thanks to Alain Foote for organising the events. He has now arranged a potential visit to the Birmingham Proof House (see the link to Museum & Pattern Rooms | Birmingham Proof House ) on Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The cost is £200 for a party of 10, so he does not want to go ahead unless he has some members who would be keen to go. Please get in touch with Alain if you are interested. Contact Alain Foote by e-mail: alain.foote@outlook.com or phone 07801 774277 if you are interested or would like to book a place. Martin Green, Chairman WIAS. 5th November 2025
Proof House Trip – Please contact Alain to be added to the cancellation list. 8th November 2025
The Regent Hotel, Leamington Spa. A plaque has recently been unveiled on the wall of the building to mark its importance as the centre of the WWII Camouflage Directorate. To read the full story visit John Willocks’s excellent article here. 23rd October 2025
Heritage of Industry. From Bill & Sally Barksfield. We are sorry to announce that Heritage of Industry has ceased running any tours. We would like to offer many thanks to all our loyal customers for their business over the years. For more information about AIA events please visit their website: https://industrial-archaeology.org This website and domain will close down in due course but in the meantime you can see some details of some of our past tours here. 17th October 2025
The Lutterworth and District Museum officially opened its new Sir Frank Whittle gallery, called “The Whittle Room,” on October 2nd 2025, with Sir Frank’s son, Ian Whittle, in attendance as the guest of honour. The new room, which focuses on the history of flight and the inventor’s work, became possible after the museum took over the entire building earlier this year. Alain Foote, Paul Waller and Martin Horsley from WIAS were present and recorded Ian Whittle at the opening. You will find Alain’s film at the foot of our Films/Video page here and still photos in our photo gallery. 5th October 2025
The Big Hop by David Rooney – ‘A non-stop flight across the Atlantic might seem routine today. But it is only possible because of those who went first’.
More information on our Book page. Highly recommended by the webmaster who couldn’t put it down! 28th September 2025
‘Britain’s Railway Empire in Colour’ – to repeat details of the Channel 4 Documentary Series on the railways ‘Britain’s Railway Empire in Colour’ – “The story of how Britain gave Railways to the World”, which can be found on the Channel 4 App, (not More4 as suggested in my original e-mail). Features include enhanced photographs and film, the enthusiasms of the trainspotter young and old, and the input of various expert historians and commentators, including, I am delighted to report, the Senior Curator of the National Railway Museum, Anthony Coulls, son of WIAS stalwarts Peter and Janet Coulls. Well worth a watch on a damp autumn afternoon!, Martin Green, Chairman, WIAS, 14th September 2025
Leamington History Day 2025
A very successful day on Saturday 13th September at All Saints Church, Leamington Spa. The WIAS stand was admired by many visitors. Thanks to everyone who helped. 13th September 2025
Fakenham Gasworks Museum – A new contribution from Stuart Robertson following a visit to the last remaining town gas works in England & Wales. Click here. WIAS. 12th September 2025
Tooley’s Boat Yard, Banbury – Paul Waller alerts all to this BBC report. Click here. 12th September 2025
2025/26 Season. The full 2025/26 programme of meetings is now available here. 4th September 2025
2025 – 2026 Season. The full programme of meetings will be available soon. Please visit our ‘Membership‘ page to renew your membership or to join WIAS. Gift Aid. Have you added Gift Aid to your membership yet? If you can Gift Aid your membership, WIAS will receive 25p in the £1 from HM Government. Our ‘on line Gift Aid form’ is available now at this link and only takes a minute to complete. (A paper form is also available to download and print here). Thank you for your support! 28th August 2025
Victor Riley. The Vintage Sports Car Club has reported that Victor Riley died on Tuesday. He will be fondly remembered in several circles, including, I’m sure, WIAS! To support our recollections, the VSCC has this interview on YouTube, click here. His splendid talk to WIAS in October 2023 is also available on the ZOOM page and more photos at this link. Victor Lobb. 14th August 2025
Left – Victor Riley & Martin Green, Leamington Spa, 2023
Second Chance to see Sherbourne Recycling. A return visit to the Sherbourne Recycling Centre on Tuesday October 28th. 2025 starting at 10.30am, particularly for those unable to attend last time. All those wishing to book on this visit should contact Alain Foote by e-mail on alain.foote@outlook.com 9th August 2025
The Greatest Gathering – Alstom Works, Derby, 1 August 2025. Courtesy of Paul Waller comes this splendid video of a day at the Alstom event. Paul uploaded 50 minutes of video to YouTube which will be of interest those who couldn’t go. It’s a small taste of the 140-plus exhibits. There was too much to see in one day! To watch the video, visit our Members Films page at this link. You will find it at the foot of the page. 8th August 2025
Contribution. A brand new illustrated article from John Willock entitled ‘Camp Dora’ and the Mittelwerk, The Harz, Germany. A fascinating look at this interesting part of Germany and the unusual industry that was once operating there. Find it on our ‘Contributions’ page or follow this link here. 5th August 2025
More Summer Reading! An excellent new book from Norman Pagett, published in June 2025. Well illustrated and covering numerous sites in Shropshire including of course the Iron Bridge and Colbrookdale area. Available from Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition and many other sources. More details available here. 3rd August 2025
Recommended Viewing! From John Brace comes this link to an interesting short film featuring the construction of a huge oak water wheel shaft from a tree trunk using hand tools only! Ancient skills indeed. Click here to watch the film. 3rd August 2025
WIAS payments via website. The PayPal option has recently been upgraded. Follow the link in the normal way and a new PayPal page will appear offering the option to pay using PayPal, (if you have an account), any major debit & credit card, Apple Pay and similar options depending on your type of device. If using debit or credit cards, a name and address section needs completing which will help the treasurer keep track of where the payment is coming from. 28th July 2025
WIAS Membership. The membership subscription for the coming year remains unchanged, £20 per individual and £26 per couple at the same address. 28th July 2025
WIAS Newsletters. WIAS has a complete set of its newsletters, starting with Issue No. 1 in December 2000. Every issue is now available, with a unique link, on our ‘Newsletter & Retort!’ page of the website. There are no restrictions on downloading or printing copies if desired. Most of the links in the newsletters work but the website(s) they point to may no longer be there of course! To search within a newsletter use the Control/F keys on a PC or Command/F keys on a Mac. Thank you to our newsletter compilers and editors and to Mike Hurn for re-scanning some of the early copies. 9th July 2025
Newsletter 86. The June edition of the WIAS Newsletter is now available on line. Thanks to everyone involved in the production, it is very much appreciated. 1st June 2025
WIAS Book Shop. If you were unable to attend our last meeting in person you will see from the photo that we currently have a comprehensive selection of books available. Most are in excellent condition and come from good homes. Remaining stock will be available at our June meeting. Please Note – Books will now be priced appropriately, all cards and cash are acceptable payment. 1st June 2025
N.C.JOSEPH LTD, THE ALUMINIUM WORKS & STRATFORD PRODUCE CANNERS. Recently published book on aspects of Stratford-upon-Avon’s twentieth century industrial history: Compiled by Martin Green and Brian Joseph. To purchase a copy please follow this link. 28th April 2025
AIA e-News Bulletin. There are many items of interest including the opening from April 1st. of Shrewsbury Flax Mill for visits and tours under the management of English Heritage. To read the news click here 11th April 2025
Can You Help? A new request for information – Andrew Yarranton, “England’s Improvement by Sea and Land.” Go to the CYH page here for full details. 11th April 2025
Death of WIAS Member. I’m afraid I have to convey the sad news from Rosalind Bolton that her husband Peter died at the weekend. I have passed on sincere condolences from myself and the Society. Peter was a long-serving and loyal member of WIAS, and his contributions were always interesting, imaginative, often delivered with that unique sense of humour. Industrial heritage was only one of the range of Peter’s interests, reflected in the wonderful collection of books that adorned his home. Many members will also know of Peter as author of ‘The Lost Architectural Landscapes of Warwickshire’.
Funeral Arrangements. Peter Bolton’s funeral service will take place at 2pm on Thursday 24th April in St. Peter’s Church, Church Street, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9LT. After the service, everyone is invited for refreshments at Wellesbourne Village Hall (6 School Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9NH) – only 5 minutes’ walk or 2 minutes by car from the church. I do hope those who knew Peter well will be able to attend. Martin Green, Chairman, WIAS. 2nd April 2025
New Film. Jeff Burgess has kindly supplied his video taken at the Claymills Pumping Station, Burton on Trent. A WIAS visit in September 2023. Click here. 21st March 2025
WIAS Visit. A new trip to Sherbourne Recycling, Coventry has been arranged for April. More details available here. 19th March 2025
WIAS Newsletter No. 85. The latest edition is now available on the website at this link. Thanks to all involved in this production. 10th March 2025
Magazines & Books. Anyone in need should consider a visit to the National Trust at Baddesley Clinton worth while. The second hand bookshop has a very large collection of Model Engineer, Railway Modeller and more, plus numerous books at very reasonable prices! 2nd March 2025
‘Lights of Leamington.’ An absolute must for anyone who remembers the original Leamington Lights between 1951-1961. Events are taking place between the 8th and 23rd February including a free film show in All Saints Church and a re-creation of some of the lights and sounds at Jephson Gardens lake over four nights. For full details click here. 12th February 2025
‘Can You Help.’ Visit this page and read about a request for help into research at the former Jaguar, Browns Lane site in Coventry during WWII. Click here. 31st January 2025
Death of WIAS Member. Many will have known – or known of – Patrick Kingston, a great enthusiast for local transport history, particularly rail and bus transport. He died on 17th December 2024, aged 87 years. For those who may wish to attend, the Funeral Service will take place at Oakley Wood Crematorium, North Chapel, on Thursday 30th January 2025 at 3pm. Thanks to Roger Cleal for this information. 27th January 2025
AIA Spring Tour 2025. Details of this tour to Catalonia are available at this link. 27th January 2025
Photo Albums. A few new photos added to the european section. Link. 20th January 2025
New Contribution. John Willock has now completed his latest paper on ‘The Wartime Shadow Factory System’. It’s available for all to read at this link. Thank you John for another excellent piece! 12th January 2025