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Author Topic: Where was I in summer 1981?  (Read 5551 times)
JayMac
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« on: September 25, 2015, 20:23:12 »

I've been doing family history research and that has meant trawling through the boxes of photographs at my Mum's. Found this one:



Where was I?
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2015, 22:42:49 »

Not entirely sure, but I have a feeling that this might be in North Cornwall? Lappa Valley perchance?  Although taken a few years later (1987?), there appear to be some similarities in this picture from my family visit to the LVR.

« Last Edit: September 25, 2015, 22:49:09 by PhilWakely » Logged
JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2015, 22:50:48 »

Lappa Valley Railway is correct. I'm stood next to the narrow gauge engine Zebedee.

In the same summer 1981 visit to my 'Auntie' Eileen (Grandma's friend) I can remember going to Dobwalls, another place in Cornwall with small trains. I haven't found any photos from there although I'm sure Grandma took some. Dobwalls is long gone unfortunately but I hope to get to Lappa Valley again soon.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
PhilWakely
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« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2015, 22:55:11 »

see reply #3 here....
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15379.0
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2015, 23:05:57 »

Without breaking out a new thread, where was I in the Summer of 1985?

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JayMac
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« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2015, 23:13:53 »

Are we still in the West Country Phil?
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LiskeardRich
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« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2015, 01:29:30 »

All of these photos of attractions local to me, were taken before I was even thought of being a 1988 baby!

Lappa in my opinion is now too expensive for the facilities they have now.
Dobwalls' site is now part of the Dobwalls village bypass. (A38)

Philwakely I suspect your photo is Dobwalls or Lappa.
I've found some photos of my brothers on mums Facebook next to a very similar set up, about 1994/95.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2015, 01:50:04 by richwarwicker » Logged

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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2015, 02:06:23 »

I'm stood next to the narrow gauge engine Zebedee.

I believe the correct technical terminology is that you're standing in the cess. Wink Cheesy Grin
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2015, 07:28:19 »

Are we still in the West Country Phil?
Yes!

Philwakely I suspect your photo is Dobwalls or Lappa.
I've found some photos of my brothers on mums Facebook next to a very similar set up, about 1994/95.
The latest one in reply #4 - No, you are wrong!
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Bob_Blakey
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« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2015, 09:09:33 »

I believe this is the Gorse Blossom Railway.
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2015, 10:00:54 »

Dobwalls' site is now part of the Dobwalls village bypass.

No it isn't.  Dobwalls bypass is between the village and the Dobwalls theme park site which is still there although slowly returning to nature.  Such a shame that it closed as it had an excellent railway system (I should know as I used to look after the signalling system as a part time job Grin Cheesy Wink).
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2015, 12:08:52 »

I believe this is the Gorse Blossom Railway.

Correct! An excellent attraction run by renowned railway photographer/writer, Geoffrey Kitchenside (that is him driving the loco, 'Yeo', which is a scaled down replica of a Lynton and Barnstaple loco). Unfortunately, it met its demise thanks to ugly business tactics of the Trago Mills owners.
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plymothian
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« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2015, 00:16:48 »

I wondered why it closed.
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grahame
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« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2015, 00:28:37 »

I wondered why it closed.

A clue on Trip Advisor:

Quote
Reviewed 13 October 2013
Sadly the miniature railway that used to be here has closed and has been replaced with expensive houses. You will be wasting your time looking for this attraction.
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Tim
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« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2015, 11:52:49 »

I wondered why it closed.

A clue on Trip Advisor:

Quote
Reviewed 13 October 2013
Sadly the miniature railway that used to be here has closed and has been replaced with expensive houses. You will be wasting your time looking for this attraction.

No, it has been replaced with an expensive Yurt camp site.  Visited it a couple of years ago and thought it was a rip-off.   The rights of way and tunnels are still there to walk though.  It must have been an impressive train set. 
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