Latest news with #STEAMMuseum
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Solar panels could be set for roof of STEAM Museum
Swindon's STEAM museum is set for a green makeover as solar panels could be installed on the roof. And there may be more solar farms going up around the borough, and wider area as well, councillors have been told Members of Swindon Borough Council's Build a Greener Swindon policy and performance committee heard from the cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Chris Watts, and senior officer Edward Jones on the progress of the authority in cutting its own emissions. Chairman of the committee, Councillor Neil Hopkins, said: 'We and Wiltshire Council encourage residents to join solar together as a way of them cutting their emissions, but there are very few solar panels on the council's buildings. Hopes to end 'stigmatisation' of Penhill with £20m funding New event full of fun Lego-themed activities at Steam CPS pay tribute to manslaughter victim's family after one-punch death 'It took me years to get panels on South Swindon Parish Council buildings, can we do more here?' Mr Jones was unequivocal: 'Yes. We are looking at putting a solar panel on the roof of STEAM Museum, it will make it much more energy efficient and also keep it warmer in the winter - I understand it's very cold in winter. 'And while solar farms are not as popular as they once were because they are not as efficient as people thought they would be, we have a much better understanding of them now.' He added: 'Swindon is a particularly good place for them, being in Southern England but with land costs a lot less than around Bath and Bristol. 'We can make much better use of solar here in Swindon.' The report showed that the council had done well in cutting its emissions and was on target for a 57 per cent cut in its 2018-19 emissions by 2030 and a 78 per cent cut by 2035. But he said there was more to be done: 'Our biggest cut has come from going over to LED streetlights, and we've also benefited from the decarbonisation of the grid in general – there's more solar, more wind, more nuclear and less fossil fuel being used to generate electricity. 'But that hasn't been our conscious choice. We will have to make more conscious choices in the future.' Councillors were told that there is a rolling plan to change the council's vehicles from running on diesel to electricity, which Mr Jones said was 20 times cheaper. Councillor Watts said the fleet of recycling and refuse collection lorries was less than two years old – but the council did have a long-term ambition of acquiring electric lorries when that fleet needs replacing.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
STEAM exhibition showcases lives of railway apprentices down the years
A new exhibition at Swindon's STEAM Museum will showcase the lives of railway apprentices over the years. The exhibition, titled "Doing Time – The Railway Apprentice," opened this week, and provides an insight into the experiences of young men and women who began their careers as trainee apprentices at the Swindon Works. This exhibition is part of the museum's celebration of Railway 200, a year-long campaign marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway's inception on September 27, 1825. Your Community, Your News Subscribe to Swindon Advertiser now for either 50% off for a year or 3 months for £3. Stay connected with all local happenings. #CommunityNews #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) January 20, 2025 The campaign acknowledges the significant role Swindon played in the development of the railway network. The exhibition traces the journey of railway apprentices over the past two centuries, from the first apprentices to the last ones trained at Swindon's Pre-Apprentice Training School before Swindon Works closed in 1986. It features a variety of objects from the Swindon Museums collections, including a rare apprentice register from 1908, which lists the names of the Great Western Railway's newest recruits. A charcoal drawing by local artist Hubert Cook, depicting an apprentice at Swindon Works, is also on display. Felicity Jones, collections and exhibitions officer at STEAM, said: "Doing Time features a range of fascinating images and objects from the Swindon Museums collections. "My particular highlights include some exquisite brass and metalwork objects made by the highly skilful apprentices with many items going on display at STEAM for the very first time. "The exhibition highlights the huge contribution Swindon Works apprentices played in the development of the nation's railway network and the pride they took in their work." Read more: The Sun Inn at Swindon under new family management The exhibition also includes archives and objects made by apprentices at Swindon's Pre-Apprentice Training School, offering a glimpse into an era of apprenticeships that former Railway Works employees may remember. Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said: "For well over a hundred years, thousands of apprentices passed through the doors of the Swindon Works to learn the trades of the railways. "Some of them still live in Swindon and I was privileged to meet and speak with them. "Their stories are fascinating and this exhibition is a rare chance to enter into the world of the Works and learn about the lives of people who are not all that far in the past. "This new exhibition will be a trip down memory lane for many former Swindon railway workers and their families, but I would urge everyone to visit the fabulous STEAM Museum to learn more about our town's rich railway heritage and its world-beating apprenticeship and training programme."
