50th Anniversary Celebration (BBAG and LILG)

Sunday 18th August 2019

Regardless of whether the pictures on this page bring either a tear to

your eye or prompt a sigh of relief, we would really like to see you at

our anniversary event on Sunday 18th August 2019 – see the attached

flyer – to celebrate 50 years of both the Belgrave and Birstall Action

Group (BBAG), who tried to save the station, and the Leicester

Industrial Locomotive Group (LILG), who saved one of the first locos

to run on the preserved Great Central – 0-6-0ST Lamport No 3.

2 groups ? BBAG had its origins, although not exclusively, in the combination of

school-based railway enthusiast groups, coordinated by Harry

Wheatley, and the Thurcaston Road to Park Road bridge railway

footpath-based “train-spotter” friends. The LILG, coordinated by John

Bailey and brothers John and Robert Kilburn, grew out of the school

and south-Leicester based organisations including the Wyggeston and

Asquith railway societies.

In 1969 the champions of both BBAG and LILG, while visiting the

Leicester Model Engineering Exhibition, came together by chance at a

Main Line Preservation Group publicity stand. From that day

onwards the stories of the “Lamport Lads” and the “BBAG Boys” have

been almost inseparable. Therefore, we decided a joint event was not

only relevant, but entirely appropriate and, really, unavoidable.

Contact

Over the past 18 months we have been trying to re-establish contact

with as many old friends and colleagues from the early days of MLPG

but even if you were not involved in either of the two groups, we

hope that you will want to join us in coming together to share

memories of those fateful, enjoyable and sometimes frustrating days

from 50 years ago, when our passionate enthusiasm perhaps

outstripped our practical preservation abilities ? We may even spend

some time looking to what the future may bring.

Your photos

If you have any photos taken around Belgrave and Birstall station or of

Lamport No 3, it would be really great if you could pick out up to

three of your favourites and contribute to our exhibition (fully

attributed of course). We will give you details of how to do this.

Please email us at Belgravebirstall@virginmedia.com and we will send

you details on the price, planned programme and booking procedure.

Looking forward to seeing you on 18th August,

Johns: Bailey, Clayton, Powdrill and Harry Wheatley (BBAG and

LILG)

PS – can you identify any of the people in the pictures ?

Belgrave and Birstall 1969 (B Jeyes )

MLPG Stand Abbey Park Show 30/08/1969 (P Herrick)

Lamport No3 dressed for Lord Mayor’s Show 30/05/1970 (JP Bailey)

Lamport No3 arrives Loughborough 19/04/1973 (JP Bailey)

Belgrave and Birstall demolition 18/06/1977 (WR Squires)

Verandah Coach

Belgrave and Birstall 1969 (B Jeyes )

MLPG Stand Abbey Park Show 30 August 1969 (P Herrick)

Lamport No3 dressed for Lord Mayor’s Show 30/05/1970 (JP Bailey)

Lamport No3 arrives Loughborough 19/04/1973 (JP Bailey)

50th

Anniversary Celebration Sunday August 18

th 2019

Whatever happened to the “Lamport Lads” In the “Lost world of Belgrave and Birstall” ?

Join us, aboard our steam-hauled chartered Pullman Bar Car and in Loughborough Central’s original 1st Class

Waiting Room on the Great Central Railway for a look back at the struggles of the

“boys” of the

Belgrave and Birstall Action Group (BBAG)

and the “lads” of the

Leicester Industrial Loco Group (Lamport No3)

in this 50th anniversary year of the Main Line Preservation Group when you will be able to:

You don’t necessarily have to be an old “BBAG Boy” or

“Lamport Lad” to enjoy this event – all welcome.

Tickets £23.50 all inclusive.

Contact any of the following for more information and booking

details: Email - : Belgravebirstall@virginmedia.com

Telephone: ???????

Post: ????????

50th

Anniversary Celebration Sunday August 18

th 2019

Whatever happened to the “Lamport Lads”

In the “Lost world of Belgrave and Birstall” ?

Join us, aboard our steam-hauled chartered Veranda Coach and in Loughborough Central’s original 1st Class

Waiting Room on the Great Central Railway for a look back at the struggles of the “boys” of the

Belgrave and Birstall Action Group (BBAG)

and the “lads” of the

Leicester Industrial Loco Group (Lamport No3) (one of the 1

st locos to run on saved GCR 1973)

in this 50th anniversary year of the Main Line Preservation Group

when you will be able to:

listen to presentations and view some unique photographic collections;

contribute some of your own personal photos of Lamport No3 and Belgrave and Birstall (we

will explain how);

test and show off your knowledge of all things Belgrave and Birstall, GCR and Bagnall 0-6-0ST

“Lamport No3” in on-board quizzes (with prizes!);

win a rare piece of railway memorabilia in the raffle drawn on final run;

enjoy the company and the journeys, hopping off to explore the GCR and rejoining at any of

the stops along the line;

be entertained, energized and possibly even “educated” as this event rolls off at 09.30 on

Sunday 18th August 2019 for our round trips throughout the whole day between

Loughborough Central and Belgrave and Birstall (Leicester North);

roll back finally to Loughborough at approx. 17.28 (full timetable supplied when you book)

pre-order food (menu supplied when you book) or just purchase drinks and light

refreshments from the Griddle Bar on train.

You don’t have to be an old “BBAG Boy” or “Lamport

Lad” to enjoy this event

-all welcome-

For full programme and booking details:

Email - Belgravebirstall@virginmedia.com

Photos used on this sheet courtesy: M Mitchell,

WR Squires, J Clayton, J Bailey, GCR.

Veranda Coach Loughborough Waiting Room

Veranda Coach