William, the Cambridge Corporation steam roller, who worked around the town from 1920 to retirement in 1965, is well-known for her appearances at events and rallies across the region.

Find out more about the steam super-star at this talk by her owner, Nick Allen, who has devoted decades to bringing her back to life.

Nick will cover the Aveling factory, where she was built, and her work for Cambridge Corporation as well as charting the painstaking and skilled job of preserving the engine and bringing her back to working order.

Nick Allen has always been fascinated by steam and the way engines come alive. He joined a railway club at an early age and had his own miniature railway. He went on to have a career in the police but always retained his fascination with steam. He admits that he is not a trained engineer but has picked up skills, knowledge, and guidance along the way from friends. Nick is one of an army of what Fred Dibnah called ‘backstreet mechanics’ who help to preserve our industrial heritage and present it to a 21st century audience.

William will also be in attendance at the Museum for the talk so come and meet two of our local steam heritage heroes at once!

The talk will take place in the Pye Building at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Entrance on the night is via the Museum’s Cheddars Lane gate.

Tickets for the talk are available on the door for £5 a head, £3 for students. CIAS members and volunteers of Cambridge Museum of Technology can attend for free.

Cambridge Industrial Archaeology group organises a programme of talks on industrial heritage at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Talks usually take place at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month.

For further information about Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group contact Robin Chandler robin.chandler@btinternet.com

Date: Monday 9th October 2023 

Times:
Doors open and refreshments served from 7.00pm.
Talk starts at 7.30pm.
Ends around 8.30pm following questions.

Tickets:
Available on the door for £5 a head, £3 for students. Members and Volunteers of Cambridge Museum of Technology can attend for free.

Venue: The Pye Building, Cambridge Museum of Technology,Cheddars Lane, Cambridge, CB5 3DL (directions). Please use the rear entrance on Cheddars Lane to enter the site.

Parking: Parking on the Musuem site is limited. It is reserved for the speakers, those with disabilities and our elderly members. If you have a disability that makes it difficult to walk, contact Jinx to request a place.

On road parking is available on Cheddars Lane. Parking in Tesco’s car park is free for up to 3hrs.

There is ample cycle parking at Tescos.

This event is organised by Cambridge Industrial Archaeology, supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Cambridgeshire area.