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Swindon Wide

Loco legend is star of show at new Steam exhibition

A Swindon-built locomotive will be
the star turn in a new exhibition
that opens at Steam on Saturday
8 April.
King George V returned to
Swindon's Steam Museum on a
low loader in November 2015 and
received plenty of admiring glances
as it made its way into the town
from the M4.
The National Railway Museum
in York loaned the locomotive to
Steam in preparation for the town’s
Swindon175 celebrations last year,
which honoured Swindon’s railway
heritage.
Now the engine will be the focus
of attention once more as ‘King
George V – A Locomotive Legend’
opens at the museum this weekend.
The exhibition celebrates the 90th
anniversary of the building of the The King George V loco makes its journey down the M4 and inset, the loco in its heyday
famous locomotive. Council’s Leadership Manager which made Swindon a world to Britain, the locomotive resumed
Showing objects, documents for Museums and Heritage, beater.” operation on the GWR network,
and photographs from STEAM’s said: “Swindon produced many The locomotive was designed by hauling high speed passenger
collection, the exhibition explores magnificent engines, but King Charles B Collet and was the GWR’s services such as the Cornish Riviera
the story of King George V, from its George V is arguably the most most powerful 4-6-0 engine. KGV Express.
design, build and operation; through famous of them all. was the first ‘King’ Class built at King George V – A Locomotive
to its decline under British Railways “The King has a very interesting Swindon Works in June 1927, and Legend runs from 8 April to 31
and eventual return to glory when past and this new exhibition was shipped to the United States December 2017 and is included with
it was preserved as part of the encapsulates this history perfectly in August 1927 to feature in the standard admission.
National Collection. and I would urge everyone to visit Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s For more information about Steam
Ian Surtees, Swindon Borough STEAM and learn about the engine centenary celebrations. On its return visit: www.steam-museum.org.uk

Charity nights going strong

at Swindon restaurants

Started in 2008, popular Indian
restaurant Bengal Square in
Peatmoor has consistently run
charitable fundraising nights
donating all profits to worthy
causes across the Swindon area.
Now, the restaurant is expanding
this charitable evening to their
newly reopened sister site Mantra
in Old Town.
Held every Monday and Tuesday
at Bengal Square, and every
Tuesday at Mantra, the charity
nights have raised over £100,000
to date which has been shared amongst local causes from
youth football teams to Macmillan cancer research.
Owner Hanif Robbani said: “We donate all profits raised on the
evening to the cause of choice, and this can be further added to
if the organisers hold a raffle, quiz or auction.
“Donations from ourselves of £350+ are not uncommon and the
best night we’ve ever had raised a grand total of over £3,000.
“We are happy to host events for any worthwhile cause and it
doesn’t necessarily have to be a charity.” 52 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BG
To host a fundraising event at Mantra, email your event details 01793 323954
to: [email protected]
Or to host your event at Bengal Square email: [email protected]
[email protected] www.mantraswindon.co.uk

18 swindonlink.com n May 2017

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