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Oh, Doctor Beeching
''Oh, Doctor Beeching!'' is a BBC television sitcom written by David Croft and Richard Spendlove which, after a broadcast pilot on 14 August 1995, ran for two series from 8 July 1996, with the last episode being broadcast on 28 September 1997. The series is notable for being the last in a series of three comedies by co-writer David Croft to use many of the same actors, starting with '' Hi-de-Hi!'' and followed by ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' and was also the last full series written by Croft. Introduction ''Oh, Doctor Beeching!'' focuses on the small fictional branch line railway station of Hatley, which is threatened with closure under the Beeching Axe. The programme was filmed on the Severn Valley Railway. Arley SVR station in Upper Arley was used as Hatley station. Plot Set in 1963, at a rural branch line railway station called Hatley, Jack Skinner ( Paul Shane) the porter is acting stationmaster until a replacement is found. Jack deeply loves his wife May (played by Sh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0
The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for light mixed traffic. Design Elderly 0-6-0s formed the backbone of the low-powered locomotives within the LMS fleet. William Stanier had concentrated on introducing larger engines and it was left to George Ivatt to introduce a new class of low-powered locomotive. He designed a tender version of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T, introduced at the same time, which was inspired by the Stanier Class 3 2-6-2T, which was inspired by the Fowler Class 3 2-6-2T. The 2-6-0s had greater range: of water and of coal compared to the tank design's and . So they were well-suited to their task and, following attention to draughting problems by both Derby and Swindon, quickly became a success. Further engines of this type were built as the BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0, these locomotives having BR standard fittings and a modified cab and tender profile to allow completely unrestricted route a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hi-de-Hi!
''Hi-de-Hi!'' is a BBC television sitcom shown on BBC1 from 1 January 1980 to 30 January 1988. Set in 1959 and 1960 in Maplins, a fictional holiday camp, the show was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, who also wrote ''Dad's Army'' and ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' amongst other programmes. The title was the greeting the campers heard and in early episodes was written ''Hi de Hi''. The series revolved around the lives of the camp's entertainers, most of whom were struggling actors and has-beens. Inspiration for the series were the experiences of Jimmy Perry, one of the programme's writers. After being demobilised from the Army, he was a Redcoat at Butlins in Filey and Pwllheli during the holiday season. The series gained large audiences and won a BAFTA as Best Comedy Series in 1984. In a 2008 poll on Channel 4, ''Hi-de-Hi!'' was voted the 35th most popular comedy catchphrase. In 2014, Jimmy Perry confirmed that ''Hi-de-Hi!'' would be repeated, and it began a rerun on 2 Fe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1997 World Championships In Athletics
The 6th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, were held at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece between August 1 and August 10, 1997. In this event participated 1882 athletes from 198 participant nations. Athens used the successful organization of the World Championships the next month during the IOC Session in Lausanne during its campaign to host the 2004 Summer Olympics as proof positive of Athens' and Greece's ability and readiness to organize large-scale, international sporting events. It was the first edition to award wild cards to defending champions even if they did not qualify for their national team. This allowed four athletes from the same country to compete in an individual event in some cases. Men's results Track 1993 , 1995 , 1997 , 1999 , 2001 Note: * Indicates athletes who ran in preliminary rounds. * The United States ( Jerome Young, Antonio Pettigrew, Chris Jones, and Tyree Washington) o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beeching Axe
The Beeching cuts (also Beeching Axe) was a plan to increase the efficiency of the nationalised railway system in Great Britain. The plan was outlined in two reports: ''The Reshaping of British Railways'' (1963) and ''The Development of the Major Railway Trunk Routes'' (1965), written by Richard Beeching and published by the British Railways Board. The first report identified 2,363 stations and of railway line for closure, amounting to 55% of stations, 30% of route miles, and 67,700 British Rail positions, with an objective of stemming the large losses being incurred during a period of increasing competition from road transport and reducing the rail subsidies necessary to keep the network running. The second report identified a small number of major routes for significant investment. The 1963 report also recommended some less well-publicised changes, including a switch to the now-standard practice of containerisation for rail freight, and the replacement of some services wit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ivor Roberts (actor)
Ivor Roberts (19 July 1925 – 5 September 1999) was a British actor and a television continuity announcer who often appeared in comedic roles. Born in Nottingham, he returned to acting following service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Roberts started his television career as a continuity announcer on regional television in Wales, working for TWW before that company lost its franchise in 1968. Among his better-known roles were the characters of Arnold Thomas in the 1995-97 television series ''Oh, Doctor Beeching!'' and Mr Barnes in the second, third and fourth series of ''You Rang, M'Lord?''. He also made a guest appearance, as a police officer, in one episode of ''George and Mildred''. Another notable appearance was as Mr. Chick in ''Dombey and Son''. He also played parts in ''Porridge'' and ''Yes, Minister''. Roberts died in Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dogsbody
A dogsbody, dog's body, or less commonly dog robber is someone who does menial or drudge work.''Oxford English Dictionary'', 3rd edition, 2010''s.v.''/ref> Originally, in the British Royal Navy, a dogsbody was a semi-sarcastic colloquialism for a junior officer or midshipman. A batman has a similar function. A rough American equivalent would be a package-handler, gofer, grunt, lackey, or workhorse. History The Royal Navy used dried peas boiled in a bag (pease pudding) as one of their staple foods circa the early 19th century. Sailors nicknamed this item "dog's body". In the early 20th century, junior officers and midshipmen who performed jobs that more senior officers did not want to do began to be called "dogsbodies". The term became more common in non-naval usage c. 1930, referring to people who were stuck with rough work. The term "dogsbody" has not always been derogatory, with a number of people deliberately using it as their callsign or handle. The most famous of these is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Signalman (rail)
:''This article deals with rail traffic controllers in Great Britain and Ireland; for similar functions in other jurisdictions, see Train dispatcher.'' A signalman or signaller is an employee of a railway transport network who operates the points and signals from a signal box in order to control the movement of trains. History The first signalmen, originally called Railway Policemen (leading to the nickname of 'Bobby'), were employed in the early 19th century and used flags to communicate with each other and train drivers, and hourglasses for the purpose of Time Interval Working between stations. In South Africa, a local rail signaller named Jack (baboon) achieved some fame for the unique distinction of being a chacma baboon. Additional duties It was a signalman's duty to check each train that passed their signal box, looking for the red tail lamp exhibited on the trailing vehicle, the sighting of which confirmed that the train was still complete, and thus the section was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sherrie Hewson
Sherrie Lynn Hutchinson (born 17 September 1950) is an English actress, television personality and novelist. She is known for her roles as Maureen Holdsworth in ''Coronation Street'' (1993–1997, 2006), Virginia Raven in ''Crossroads'' (2001–2003), Lesley Meredith in ''Emmerdale'' (2004–2006) and Joyce Temple-Savage in ''Benidorm'' (2012–2018). Hewson was also a main panellist on lunchtime chat show ''Loose Women'' (2003–2017) and came sixth place in ''Celebrity Big Brother'' in 2015. She has also appeared as Doreen Nesbitt (1979-1980) and Mary Henshaw in '' In Loving Memory'' (1984–1986) and as Jean in '' Barbara'' (1999–2003) on television, and has starred in the films ''Carry On Behind'' (1975), ''The Slipper and the Rose'' (1976) and '' Hanover Street'' (1979). Hewson has also written three books including a fiction book and a cookery book. Early life Born in Beeston, near Nottingham, Hewson was brought up into a show-business family; her father Ronald was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Upper Arley
Upper Arley () is a village and civil parish near Kidderminster in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire, England. Historically part of Staffordshire, the village had a population of 741 at the 2011 census. Amenities The Arley railway station on the Severn Valley Railway, one of Britain's preserved steam railways, has been used in many films and television programmes (including the BBC's ''Oh, Doctor Beeching!''). The station was opened in 1862 and closed by British Railways in 1963. It was reopened by the SVR in 1974. The village also has one pub, a tearoom and a post office with shop. History Upper Arley used to be in Staffordshire, but was transferred to Worcestershire in 1895. The parish is unusual in being divided into two unequal parts by the river Severn. Woodeaves (west of the river) was only linked to the rest of the parish by a foot ferry, which was replaced in 1972 by a footbridge. The manor of Upper Arley had various owners before 1276, when it w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arley Railway Station
Arley railway station is a station on the Severn Valley Railway heritage line in Worcestershire, situated just over the River Severn from the village of Upper Arley; a footbridge crosses the river to link the station to the village. The station is about north of Victoria Bridge, on which the SVR crosses the River Severn. History The station was built along with the line in 1862 and opened on 1 February that year. The first signal box was built in 1883, and the platform built to accommodate six coach trains. The main brick-built station building, which holds the booking office, is located on the easterly platform. The local transport needs were met quite adequately, as the local roads and paths were, to say the least, primitive. Passenger trade was busiest with summer holiday visitors, and Arley was home to a small goods yard. Opened by the West Midland Railway ( Severn Valley Line), and absorbed by the Great Western Railway on 1 August 1863,Awdry (1990), page 51 the station stay ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. The heritage line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route, and crossing the river on the historic Victoria Bridge. The railway is the sixth-longest standard gauge heritage line in the United Kingdom. Train services are hauled predominantly by steam locomotives, with vintage diesel locomotives hauling occasionally. Diesel locomotives are also used for engineering trains, to replace failed steam locomotives at short notice, and during periods of high fire risk. The railway hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including both steam and diesel galas. History Commercial history The Severn Valley Railway was built between 1858 and 1862, and linked Hartlebury, near Droitwich Spa, with Shrewsbury, a distance of . Important stations on the line were , , and within Worcestershire; and , , , , , ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beeching Cuts
The Beeching cuts (also Beeching Axe) was a plan to increase the efficiency of the nationalised British Rail, railway system in Great Britain. The plan was outlined in two reports: ''The Reshaping of British Railways'' (1963) and ''The Development of the Major Railway Trunk Routes'' (1965), written by Richard Beeching and published by the British Railways Board. The first report identified 2,363 stations and of railway line for closure, amounting to 55% of stations, 30% of route miles, and 67,700 British Rail positions, with an objective of stemming the large losses being incurred during a period of increasing competition from road transport and reducing the rail subsidies necessary to keep the network running. The second report identified a small number of major routes for significant investment. The 1963 report also recommended some less well-publicised changes, including a switch to the now-standard practice of containerisation for rail freight, and the replacement of some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
