Albert Wright

Click to enlargeMeet Albert Wright.  Albert used to make wooden wagons at Doncaster in the years leading up to the second world war.   Back in 2003 Albert was persuaded to write down everything he could remember about how these wagons were built - before the knowledge was lost.   The wonderful result can be seen online and has proved to be hugely useful in our restoration of the Aviemore wagon.

http://www.wrightswritings.org.uk/?page_id=218

Not knowing what had happened to Albert I contacted his family via their website and lo and behold I got an e-mail  from Albert's younger brother Clifford.   To my delight Clifford was not only able to tell me that Albert was a frail but game 94 year old but also he would dearly love to see our wagon.   They came to Settle today and Albert was able to inspect our efforts - which he pronounced to be 'first class'.

Though wheelchair and zimmer assisted and normally needing oxygen Albert was like a new man - insisting on seeing the wagon from above and below.   He was like a child with a new toy, reminscing about construction details.   He recalled working underneath wagon chassis by candlelight inside the inadequately lit Doncaster works.   A tallow candle would fit inside a half inch nut which would be perched on top of an axle.

Gold dust of tips and techniques poured forth.

After wartime service Albert returned to the Doncaster wagon works where his job was to break up the very wagons he had built.  They were a valuable source of oak for the timber starved post-war UK.

Brother Clifford told me that today had made an old man very happy.   Albert, who thanks to our lift was able to go to the top of the tower, was more animated than he had been for months said Clifford.

I have been wondering about a name for our wagon.  Albert it is.