The MrT Podcast Studio

Season 2024 – Talk 07 – 1832 Reform Bill – – did it avoid a revolution? In the ‘ 1832 Reform Bill – did it avoid a revolution ‘ Robert Sykes tells us  that whilst the parliamentary system in Britain is genuinely old, real democracy is arguably under a hundred years old. The 1832 Reform Bill: The first significant reform of the parliamentary system results...

On to Sheffield –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 06 In ‘On to Sheffield’ my journey continues with the East Midlands Railway from Trowell to Sheffield along the original route of Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Ilkeston : In 2013 Ilkeston was the largest town in Britain with an operational passenger railway li...

Season 2024 – Talk 05 – 17th Century Dissenters In ‘ 17th Century Dissenters and the World Turned Upside Down ‘ Judith Edge tells us about dissent in the 17th Century and compares the situation with today. Religion: It is clear what a dissenter is. In the 17th century, it is to do with religion. Baptists , Quakers and others offering new religious solutions. Others ask scep...

Leicester to Trowell –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 05 In ‘Leicester to Trowell’ my journey continues with the East Midlands Railway from Leicester, via Nottingham, to Trowell. This gets me back onto the original route of Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Loughborough : My train passes through Loughborough wit...

Season 2024 – Talk 04 – Mike Hawthorn – The Farnham Flyer In ‘ Mike Hawthorn ‘ Simon Barber tells us about one of his heroes, Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion. Early years: Mike Hawthorn is born in Mexborough to Leslie and Winifred Hawthorn in 1929. His father moves to Farnham and buys the Tourist Trophy Garage. Mike goes to prep school in Farnham and th...

We reach Leicester –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 04 In ‘We reach Leicester’ my journey continues northwards, and reaches the Thames Clyde’s first stop in Leicester. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Radlett Aerodrome : We pass the remains of the old Handley Page aircraft works at Radlett. In 1937 the pilot of a Harrow bomber...

Northward Bound –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 03 In ‘Northward Bound’ I start my journey, leaving St. Pancras on an East Midlands Railway Class 222   Meridian train. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: The Thames Clyde Express : I am following, as far as is possible today, the route of the Thames Clyde Express. The London, Midland &...

Season 2024 – Talk 03 – How Science is helping people our past In ‘ How Science is helping people our past ‘ Pam Taylor tells us that we don’t often have talks about archaeology. She also says it’s not all about grubbing around in the dirt. After the grubbing around in the dirt: Pam’s interest began in the 1970s with an evening class at Farnborough Tech. S...

Around St. Pancras –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 02 In ‘Around St. Pancras’ I walk up Midland Road on the west side of the station and visit St. Pancras Old Church. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Midland Road : Midland Road runs up the western side of St. Pancras station splitting the station from the old goods yard. Today the...

St. Pancras –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 01 In ‘St. Pancras’ I arrive at the station to start my journey along the route of the Midland Railway’s Scotch Expresses and the LMS Thames Clyde Express . Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: The Midland Railway : The Midland Railway was a proud organisation. From their base in Derby...

Boston –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 41 In ‘Boston’ I spend the final day of my holiday taking a look at the famous city of Boston. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Back to Boston South : I leave my hotel to walk through the city and find myself back at Boston South station. Whilst I’m at the station I see the construction...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.3 – Mother Teresa In ‘ Mother Teresa’ Graham Meade tells us the history of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The Burning House Debate: This is the third in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number of famous people from history staying in the ‘burning house’. Each speaker pleads for thei...

New Haven to Boston South –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 40 In ‘New  Haven to Boston South’ I travel on the final rail section of my tour of the United States, this time using the high speed Acela service. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: New Haven : New Haven Union Station is the main passenger station in  New Haven, Connecticut...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.2 – Mr Punch In ‘ Mr Punch’ Diana Butler tells us the history of Mr Punch who is far from being just a seaside puppet show. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning House Debate: This is the second in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number o...

New York to New Haven –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 39 In ‘New York to New Haven’ I travel from New York’s Moynihan Train Hall on the high speed Acela service. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Acela : Acela is  Amtrak ‘s flagship passenger service on the Northeast Corridor running between Washington, D.C. and Boston....

Season 2024 – Talk 02.1 – Xerxes I In ‘ Xerxes I’ Michael A’Bear  tells us that, as a 21 year old, he catches a bus from Victoria Coach Station to India. On that journey Michael encounters Xerxes and Darius , his father, many times Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning House Debate: This is the first in a series of sh...

On to New York –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 38 In ‘On to New York’ I travel the rest of the way to New York on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Albany–Rensselaer : Our train splits at Albany-Rensselaer. The front portion heads off to Boston South Station and the rear goes on to New York’s Penn Stati...

Season 2024 – Talk 01 – Alexander the Great In ‘ Alexander the Great’ David Simpson and Alan Freeland tell us about this legend from ancient time. We hear about his life, his military genius, his political skills and also the effect that he has had on culture through the ages. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. About this talk: Alan...

From west of Syracuse to Albany –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 37 In ‘From west of Syracuse to Albany’ I travel another 150 miles on my journey to New York on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Syracuse: The  William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center is an intermodal  station serving Syracuse and the su...

Season 2023 – Talk 21 – Franco’s Spain In ‘ Franco’s Spain’ Peter Duffy tells us about the Spanish dictator who controlled Spain from 1939 to 1975. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early career: After he passes out from Toledo, Franco is posted to Morocco where he remains until the late 1920s. He comes a lieutenant in...

Erie to east of Rochester –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 36 In ‘Erie to east of Rochester’ I travel a further 250 miles on my journey to New York on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: Erie: By the time we reach Erie we are only 40 minutes late. The ‘ Art Deco ‘ station opens on 3rd December 1927....

Through the night from Chicago to Cleveland –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 35 In ‘Through the night from Chicago to Cleveland’ I start my journey on the Lakeshore Limited. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: The Lakeshore Limited: In 1975 the Lake Shore Limited starts running. It is an overnight service between Chicago and Albany wh...

Season 2023 – Talk 20- A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK In ‘ A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK’ Richard Thomas tells us about the tortuous path culminating in the Hunting Act of 2004. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. A long time coming: The 1835 Act to abolish animal baiting also gives some protection to...

Chicago’s Architecture –  US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 34 ‘Chicago’s Architecture’ takes me on a very interesting river trip through the city. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with this podcast: On to the river: I cross the river on on Michigan Avenue using the DuSable Bridge. Starting in 1918 the bridge takes 10 years to complete althou...

Season 2023 – Talk 19- William Cobbett and Hunting In ‘ William Cobbett and Hunting’ Richard Thomas tells us about ‘field sports’ during William Cobbett’s lifetime. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. William Cobbett: A countryman learning, as a child and young man, all the skills one needs to be a successful farmer. He f...