Work in Progress

All history is work in progress. This site was made by a good friend, Richard Carr, who decided that I had some good stuff and that it needed a wider audience. It runs in parallel with another site, also managed by a friend, www.oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk which is an entirely different format that allows constant automatic updating. That site contains the archive of the Lancashire Textile Project, all my articles and much more, all entirely free for anyone to use for non-profit use.

The thing that brought Richard and I together was a common interest in steam traction engines and so you are stood at a portal leading to another source of information Richard's main site which is amongst other things a wonderful resource for steam in general or Paxman of Colchester in particular; www.paxmanhistory.org.uk

So, regard what is on this site as being entirely personal to both of us and a taster of more to be found on the other sites. Please follow the links and make up your own mind as to how successful we have been. If you want to know more about Stanley Challenger Graham, go to my About page. If you have any questions or need any help, go to the Contact page. Good hunting, I hope you find what you are looking for!

Regards to you all,   Stanley

Postscript from Richard Carr

Stanley has suggested I should introduce myself and the Paxman History site so …

For fifteen years I worked for Paxman of Colchester, Essex, an engineering company founded in 1865. By the late 1990s the business had shrunk to a fraction of its former size. Very few employees were left who knew much about the company's long and illustrious past. There was a real possibility that much, if not most, of its history would be forgotten and lost to future generations.

Despite my relatively short service (in Paxman terms) and lack of an engineering background, I started jotting down a few historical notes and made them available on the internet. The very positive and encouraging response of visitors to the website provided the motivation to continue developing the site. It now carries extensive information on many strands of Paxman's history and the products manufactured by the company over 135 years.

Stanley and I share the conviction that Britain's industrial past should be recorded while we have the chance. Particularly important is gathering first hand recollections from those who worked in some of our disappearing industries while they are still with us. The superb craft skills, ingenuity and hard work of many thousands of 'ordinary' working people has been absolutely fundamental to Britain's industrial achievements. The vital contribution of these unsung heroes needs to be acknowledged and more fully appreciated.

It seems sad that so much historical material is locked away in archives and storerooms where not only is it inaccessible to most people but few even know what is actually there. It is off-limits to almost all but the academic and the professional researcher. The internet has made it possible for folk like Stanley and I to publish our histories at minimal cost and in a way that makes them easily accessible to virtually everyone. Neither Stanley nor I seek or expect any financial recompense for our histories. We are happy to share the results of our labours with you, hoping you will find them both interesting and enjoyable.

On second thoughts perhaps there is something we could ask of you in return. Is there some history of your family or locality which you should be recording before it fades from people's memories? It could provide a very personal, interesting, and valuable legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Best wishes,   Richard

Page updated: 25 AUG 2004