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All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom / Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion, merged topics
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on: April 27, 2025, 13:45:21
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I was extremely happy for my daughter after she passed her test at the first attempt. She'd waited nearly 7 months for her practical test date after passing her theory. Had she failed it would probably have meant a similar long wait.
Learning to drive can be a stressful time for young people. Having to wait so long for a test doesn't help. It can also be a financial burden. You may be test ready after a handful of lessons, but then need to keep taking lessons to keep your skills sharp in preparation for your test.
The only positive from my daughter's interminable wait for a test was the chance to really hone her driving skills, and do plenty of mock tests. It certainly worked for my her.
That and the fact she had an excellent teacher for much of her learner driving. Me! Nearer her test date she had lessons with an instructor, but they were mainly focused on learning to pass her test, rather than learning to drive.
We started off road at Upottery Airfield learning basic car control, manoeuvres, vehicle checks and basic maintenance. Then on to quiet streets and out of town B roads, and finally busy town traffic and 70mph dual carriageways.
Since passing her test I've accompanied her a couple of times onto the M5 for continued learning.
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Railway History and related topics / Re: [otd] 22nd April 2025
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on: April 23, 2025, 13:53:33
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Also on 22nd April 1775, Hatcher & Sons Ltd in Taunton opened. Originally a drapery, now a department store. One of the oldest continuously trading department stores in the UK▸ . Hatchers are currently celebrating 250 years in business. They remain an independent family owned business.
Several generations of my family, myself included, have worked in Hatchers, right back to my great grandfather and great granduncle who worked there after the first world war.
Hatchers was my first proper job. I worked Saturdays initially, starting in December 1988 when I was 15. Earning the grand sum of £1.21 an hour! I started in the video hire department. I also worked in electrical/technology, warehouse, deliveries, restaurant and furniture. All before I was 18 when I started my catering and hospitality qualifications and training.
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions / Re: West Somerset Railway - Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (merged posts)
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on: April 21, 2025, 19:23:51
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From the West Somerset Railway's social media feeds: The West Somerset Railway plc is pleased to announce that the iconic, world-famous locomotive, No 60103 Flying Scotsman will be hauling passenger trains on West Somerset metals in June and July 2025!
Following agreement with the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations, Flying Scotsman will arrive in West Somerset near the end of June. Flying Scotsman will then run services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on 28th, 29th, 30th June and 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th July, with static displays of the locomotive available at Bishops Lydeard on 26th, 27th June and 3rd – 7th, 13th & 14th July.
On the days where services behind Flying Scotsman will be running, we will be offering excursions behind the Flying Scotsman for one full length journey of the line and a return journey behind one of our home fleet locomotives.
Further evening excursions will also be available on the evenings of 28th & 29th June, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 11th & 12th July for a full return trip behind the Flying Scotsman from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead with various ticket options including travel only, fish and chips, afternoon teas or on board the Quantock Belle Dining Train to enjoy a 4-course meal.
The static days offer the opportunity to see Flying Scotsman up close, including an afternoon tea in the station house garden with the locomotive as your backdrop. With so many ticket options we are sure to have an affordable option for all.
Tickets for the event will go on sale on the West Somerset Railway website at 9.30am Wednesday 23rd April 2025. A dedicated phone line will also be open from 9:30am on Wednesday 23rd April 2025 and will be publicised shortly. Please do not call before this time for information about the Flying Scotsman.
If you already have tickets with us that fall within the duration of the Flying Scotsman Event, we will be in contact with you by email as soon as possible.
Many of you know I (somewhat anally) hate the use of the definite article when 60103 Flying Scotsman is written about or reported on. Both the WSR and the BBC» seemingly hedged their bets when covering this story. Sometimes including 'the', sometimes not.   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgez31l0dgo |
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