AGM 2022 and talk on Thomas Newcomen (IA Section)

A short AGM and members’ short papers will be followed by a talk given by Steve Grudgings “Thomas Newcomen, The Man, His Engines and the West Country”.

Thomas Newcomen (1664–1729) was born in Dartmouth, an ironmonger by trade, who created the first practical fuel-burning engine in 1712. He was also a Baptist lay preacher. In days when flooding in coal and tin mines was a major problem. Newcomen worked on ways to pump out water from such mines, as a part of his business specialising in the design, manufacture and sale of tools for the mining industry.

Steve Grudging’s interest in the coal industry led him to visit and photograph sites from the 1980s and to lead desk and field research. He has authored books on the last years of coal mining in Yorkshire, and of South Wales. He is also the editor of a volume on the Frog Lane Colliery, the last deep pit in the Bristol coalfield. His surface and sub-surface work on a 1791 Serridge Engine in South Gloucestershire triggered his enthusiasm for early engines.

Registration is not required. £3 for DA members, £5 non-members.

The committee has decided to advise those attending this meeting that they will be expected to wear face masks while indoors. It will be additionally helpful if they could arrange to take a lateral flow test in the days immediately before the meeting.