Monthly Archives: March 2013

FoSH take Sir William Arrol Exhibition to Rozelle House

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Friends of Seafield House are mounting a display exhibition on Sir William Arrol in Rozelle House’s National Science & Engineering Week 2013 programme, which takes place over the weekend 16 & 17 March.

Image of an exhibition board about the Arrol Gantry in Belfast

The theme of National Science & Engineering Week 2013 is Invention & Discovery and FoSH will focus its its contribution on Sir William’s engineering inventions & innovative construction techniques, which revolutionised engineering & construction in the early 20th century.  By focusing on the Arrol Gantry, Sir William’s part in the building of building of ships including the Titanic will be explored. It is fitting that Sir William Arrol is included in this year’s programme, as we mark the Centenary of his death in Ayr on 20 February 1913.  Information will also be available on FoSH and their campaign to save Seafield House in Ayr, which was Sir William Arrol’s home for many years.

Venue: Rozelle House, Rozelle Park, Ayr KA7 4NQ

Time: 16 & 17 March 10.30 – 3.30

Kyle and Carrick Civic Society donation

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Kyle and Carrick Civid Society Handing over a cheque to support the Friends of Seafield House.The Friends of Seafield House are grateful to Kyle and Carrick Civic Society (KCCS), the latest organisation to become a corporate member with a generous donation of £500 towards the campaign to save Seafield House.   Michael Hitchon, President of KCCS and Sheila Penny, KCCS Secretary, handed over a cheque to Rob Close, FoSH Chair, and Fiona Walker, FoSH Vice Chair, in the grounds of Seafield House, the building they are helping to save.

Forth Rail Bridge opened 123 years ago on 4 March 1890

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Front cover of the Illustrated London News from 8 March 1890

Sir William Arrol assists the Prince of Wales to place the last rivet in the Forth Rail Bridge.

On the 4th March 1890 the Forth Rail Bridge was opened by the Prince of Wales.

A public holiday had been declared in the local towns and a mass of people gathered to watch the royal train arrive and cross the bridge.

The bridge was a feat of engineering, designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker, and built by Sir William Arrol. Over 4, 000 men were involved in it’s construction It took 54,000 tons of steel to build and at 2, 467 metres was the longest bridge  in the world when it was completed.

A wonder of it’s age, the Bridge remains today a landmark structure and icon of British engineering.  A nomination for it to be given World Heritage Status has been submitted to  the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and  the decision is expected in June 2015.