We've Found the Weekly Budget

So far, the major dating evidence for our hut has come in the form of remnants of the Christmas 1878 issue of The Weekly Budget, revealed for us by paper conservator Stephen Allen,   We do in fact have what appear to be three pages of the newspaper but we decided not to go any further in exposing the contents as the paper was so fragile.

We were bound to wonder what was so interesting about the contents that somebody had stuck the paper to the hut wall.

We had a visit this week from London solicitor Edward Album.   Edward had done some astute legal work when the line was threatened with closure - resulting in BR having to re-start the closure process not once but twice!   This bought precious time and drew attention to the cause.   Edward was the recipient of the now famous letter from Michael Portillo saying that BR had been refused permission to close the line.

The Weekly Budget fragments intrigued Edward.   He took details and promised to make enquiries at the British Library - where he is a member.   The very next day he e-mailed to say that the Colindale Library in London, where the British Library's newspaper collection is held, does indeed have the Christmas 1878 double issue of the Weekly Budget!   Edward has generously agreed to go to the Colindale, see the Weekly Budget and, if possible obtain a copy.

Another discovery.