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Synopsis
L.T.C. Rolt was an engineer and pioneer of industrial history; in this book he combined these two passions to give us a fascinating account of the men who ‘made’ Britain. From Brunel to Telford, he takes us on a journey from the first railway tracks being laid down to bridges spanning hitherto unimagined lengths, through to the ‘invention’ and mastery of the gas and electricity, which we take for granted today.
The Victorians were at the forefront of modern technology in their time, but often came to see it as a blight on their landscape and struggled to adapt to the fast pace of this new industrial era. In this book, Rolt not only examines the creations that made Britain’s empire great, but also how the age of optimism turned to one of disillusionment with many of our inventors finding fame and fortune abroad.
This unrivalled insight into our industrial heritage is compulsory reading for anyone wanting to appreciate the foundations on which our modern lives were built.
LTC ROLT was born in Chester on 9th February 1910 and died in 1974. He was an engineer and craftsman, whose passion for Britain’s industrial heritage led him to become one of the foremost historians of the 20th century. He was joint founder of the Inland Waterways Association. He also wrote Narrow Boat, Red for Danger and the famous Landscape Trilogy (The History Press).
2010 is the centenary of L T C Rolt's birth
L T C Rolt was one of the first narrative historians, an industrial pioneer and preservationist. During his life he was fundamental in establishing and promoting canals, waterways and railways. He was one of the first people in modern Britain to draw attention to the value of our canals as a means of transport and a source of pleasure. As well as his interest in canals he also turned his attention to neglcted railways and set up the first organisation to save and run a railway with a mainly volunteer workforce.
Listed below are some of the key events that are taking place throughout 2010 as part of the centenary.
- Saturday 26th June-30th August: exhibition at The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery, Coventry dedicated to Robert Longden's photographs from A Canal People
- 26th-27th June: Tom Rolt Centenary Celebration Rally. Chester is dedicating a weekend to Tom Rolt, as his birthplace. There will be a display of canal boats, stalls, rally of vintage cars, brass band and lots of other fun activities
- 7th-8th August: Prescott Hill Climb, Prescott Estate, Gloucestershire - The Bugatti Owners Club will be hosting a special event in honour of Tom Rolt
- 28th-30th August: The Rolt Cruise and the Inland Waterways National Festival and Boat Show - Tom Rolt was the founder of the Inland Waterways Association and they are throwing a special weekend celebration in honour of his centenary at Beale Park, Pangbourne, Berkshire. This is the culmination of their special events to celebrate Tom and there will be displays of canal boats and activities. Timothy West will be opening the event
- 8th-17th October: Cheltenham Literary Festival - There will be events dedicated to Tom Rolt (who was also instrumental in the early days of the festival). Prunella Scales and Timothy West will be talking and signing books about Tom
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