Sandford Mill, Chelmsford
The Chelmsford City Museum is planning some changes that may impact Marconi equipment and the facilities at Sandford Mill.
A Radio Interview has been broadcast by the Chelmsford Community Radio on this subject (35 minutes):-
A Video has been posted by Andy Stephens including the Chelmsford Community Radio interview (37 minutes):-
Click here for the video report
A letter from our MVA chairman to the council:-
I was appalled at the treatment of volunteers who have dedicated many 1000’s of man hours to operating and maintaining Marconi equipment at Sandford Mill to preserve the Marconi heritage for the benefit of future generations. I have had discussions with Chelmsford City Council to see if there is a way to continue this facility at another nearby location in the very near future but have received no such assurances. I have expressed my disappointment that volunteers are being put under unreasonable pressure to disconnect and remove all equipment not specifically owned by the museum to meet what appears to me to be an artificial deadline of 31 July 2021. I have called for a halt to this activity pending establishment of a policy that provides a clear way forward to closely replicating current facilities at Sandford Mill at another location.
Brian Izzard, Chairman MVA
NOTE: The TV program "A Great British Railway Journey" has recently visited Sandford Mill - click here for the link to the story
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we report the death of
- Mr R.G Eley who joined in 1952. Died on 8th July 2021.
- Mr Cliff Clarke who joined in 1949. Died in 2021.
- Mr Robbie Robertson who joined in 1959 and was the MVA Patron. Died on 15th June 2021.
- The funeral is private, but donations can be made via this website
- Mr Gary David Richards who joined around 1976. Died on 22nd May 2021.
- His funeral was private because of the restrictions, but donations can be made via this web site (search for Richards).
- A biography is on this page
Click here for a list of recent (last 12 months) deaths of veterans which have been notified to us.
Marconi / Science Events 2021
British Science Festival - Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford
The British Science Festival has revealed its full line-up of events, which will see over 100 free events take place in Chelmsford, Essex, over the five-day festival between 7th and 11th September 2021.
British Science Festival web site
Story on In-Your-Area web site
Other events are also detailed on the Chelmsford Science and Engineering web site
2021 Newsletter and Reunion
Due to the Pandemic / Lockdown we are now not able to post the Newsletter to members in February.
However the 2021 Newsletter is now published in full on this web site.
Our booking for the next Reunion on Saturday 18th September 2021, at Pontlands Park has now been confirmed.
A hard copy of this newsletter will be posted later in the year to all members who responded to our 2020 Reunion invitation. This will include the invitation letter for the September 2021 Reunion.
- Click here for the web version of the 2021 Newsletter (Note you can change the order of the articles by clicking on 'Title' at the top of the article list).
- Click here to read the pdf version (which can be printed if required).