Doncaster Civic Trust

Doncaster Civic Trust

An independent group of local people interested in Doncaster’s heritage

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Gresley Plaque and Information Board Unveiling

Thursday 19th June 2025 11.30 Doncaster Railway Station

Doncaster Civic Trusts involvement in this project started with an email request from Doncaster and District Family History Society to DCT  in early September 2024. This was put on the agenda of an Executive Meeting  dated 12th September 2024 and Steve Kimber agreed to represent the Trust and attended the first meeting held on the 20th September 2024 at DGLAM.

In attendance were representatives of Doncaster and District Family History Society, Doncaster Civic Trust, Doncaster City Council, The Gresley Trust and LNER. 7 meetings were held in total: 1 at the Railway Station and 6 at DGLAM.

At the initial meeting on the 20th September 2024, Steve volunteered DCT to take on the responsibility for the plaque as the Trust, specifically our Treasurer Archie Sinclair, has considerable experience in this area. With regard to the information board that would sit beneath the plaque, the Gresley Trust agreed to cover the cost of design, manufacture and transport to Doncaster. With regard to fixing the plaque and information board, building a raised platform for guests on unveiling day, light refreshments, fencing and security, LNER would cover those costs. Unveiling date was agreed for the 19th June 2025.

On the day, representing Doncaster Civic Trust, were Tony Wrigglesworth (Acting Chairman),  Archie Sinclair (DCT Treasurer) and Steve Kimber (Executive Member). Approximately 60 people from the various other societies attended including the Mayor, Ros Jones. Guests arrived from around 11am with the ceremony taking place from 11.30.

Following speeches, Ros Jones, assisted by Matthew Delaney, the great grandson of Mallard driver Joe Duddington unveiled the plaque and information board to a round of applause with the event breaking up around 11.45.

A great day for Doncaster to celebrate a man whose genius contributed greatly to putting Doncaster literally on the map and a great day for Doncaster Civic Trust to become involved in a major heritage event.

Steve Kimber 23/06/2025

 

Read about the Sir Nigel Gresley Plaque Handover

Gresley Plaque and Information Board Unveiling
Gresley Plaque and Information Board Unveiling

YHACS Summer Members’ Meeting

COME AND JOIN US at the YHACS Summer Members’ Meeting, Addingham, Saturday 26th July.

Just a reminder about the YHACS Summer Members’ Meeting on Saturday 26th July in the beautiful village of Addingham, which lies by the River Wharfe between Ilkley and Skipton.

Our hosts at Addingham Civic Society have prepared a great programme for us and, following Hull’s example, are offering us a sandwich lunch prior to the main meeting!

As always, anyone wishing to arrive on the Friday is welcome to join YHACS trustees and members of Addingham Civic Society for dinner at The Fleece in Addingham. The village has no large hotels and Ilkley is the nearest place to stay, about 3 miles away. Our hosts recommend booking early as the area is popular with tourists.

 

PROGRAMME

Here is the draft programme for the weekend:

 

Friday 25th July

7pm Evening Meal at The Fleece in Addingham. Parking is at The Fleece, or opposite in the Memorial Hall Car Park (free)

Saturday 26th July

10am Walk 1: The Story of Addingham in Blue Plaques (participants max 15), Meet at The Hub, above the Old Library on Main Street.
11am Walk 2:  Managing Village Green Spaces for Nature (participants max 20) Meet at the Memorial Hall Car Park
12 noon Sandwich lunch at the Memorial Hall, which is the venue for the main meeting has plenty of parking.
1-4pm Members’ Meeting, at the Memorial Hall, including a presentation by  Prof Rick Battarbee on “Worrying about water for people and nature: past, present and  future”.

 

The rest of the agenda will be confirmed nearer the time.

Please could you confirm whether you’re able to join us by emailing info@yhacs.org.uk stating which events you’d like to attend:

  • Friday night dinner
  • Walk 1
  • Walk 2
  • Free sandwich lunch
  • Main meeting

 

INFORMATION

 

Accommodation

Please book early as hotels in the area are busy during the summer  months.

Addingham has no large hotels.  The Craven Heifer has a few rooms which are good (and the food is good). There are various B & Bs and Air B&Bs.

Ilkley has a fair number of hotels and is just 3 miles from Addingham. Suggestions are:

  • The Crescent
  • The Riverside
  • Craiglands
  • The Cow and Calf
  • The Wheatley.

There are also numerous B & Bs and Air B&Bs.

Bolton Abbey is a couple of miles from Addingham and has the Devonshire Arms, which is excellent but expensive.

Skipton also has a few hotels and is 7 miles from Addingham

Transport

Trains run from Leeds and Bradford to Keighley, Skipton and Ilkley

Buses run from Keighley, Skipton and Ilkley to Addingha

Parking in Addingham

Memorial Hall Car Park

There are two small Bradford-owned pay and display car parks in Addingham., one on Bolton Road and one on Main Street.

There are electric charging points in the Bolton Road car park.