Category Archives: Features

Features, On Demand, SUSY News

Horley Local History Society unveils Blue Plaque to Ada Coates – Update

Photo: Jean Pelham of Horley Local History Society (L)
Sandra Crittell (R) |Photo: Neil Munday

Recently, Susy Radio received an email from Jean Pelham of the Horley Local History Society of plans to unveil its first Blue Plaque at 12 noon on the 9th April at a shop, “Very Betty” in Yattendon Road, Horley.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this building was the location of the “Old Post Office”.
This was to mark the occasion when a 19 year old telegraphist who worked there, Ada Coates, received a very important message on the 17th May, 1900.
The unveiling event was subsequently broadcast live on Susy Radio during Neil Munday’s Saturday programme.

Susy Radio’s News Team followed up on the story on the Monday morning when Tracey Franklin included it in the local news bulletin.

Following the news broadcast, Susy Radio received an email from listener, Sandra Crittell who had listened to the news bulletin on the radio, and recognised the name Ada Coates as her Great Aunt!

Neil subsequently contacted both Jean and Sandra, and arranged to meet them. A recording of the conversation which followed was later broadcast during Neil’s programme and can be heard again here.

Ada Coates c1900
Photo courtesy of Sandra Crittell
the Blue Plaque
Courtesy of Horley Local History Society
Old Post Office in Yattendon Road (now known as ‘Very Bettie’)-Google Street Maps

Website: https://www.horleyhistory.org.uk
Facebook: @HorleyHistory
Twitter: @HorleyHistory

Community, Features, SUSY News

Steam in the Susy area – Update

Pictured: ‘Clan Line’ passing through Merstham on its way back to London (courtesy Alan French)

This weekend (20/21 November) there is the chance to see two steam trains operating through the Susy Radio area.

On Saturday 20th November 2021, Merchant Navy Class Pacific No.35028 Clan Line will be pausing at Shalford, where water is taken between 14.22 and 14.40, before continuing through Dorking, Betchworth, Reigate (15.11), Redhill (15.16 – 15.21) and Merstham hauling the Belmond British Pullman train on a Surrey Hills excursion from London and return.
Other than Shalford it is not due to stop any other stations.

On Sunday 21st December 2021, “Clan Line” together with A1 Pacific “Tornado” will be double heading the Rail Aid British Pullman from London Victoria to Dover and return with all proceeds going to the Railways Children’s work with vulnerable children around the world.
Currently this train is scheduled to leave London Victoria at 11.12 passing through East Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon , Merstham, Redhill (12.02), Godstone (12.09), Edenbridge (12.14) and on towards Tonbridge.

NEWS UPDATE 18 NOVEMBER – We have learned that sadly “Tornado” is unable to join “Clan Line” for this Rail Aid British Pullman excursion. The trip is now planned to run with “Clan Line” leading a Belmond liveried Class 67 diesel instead as it is considered the best option considering the planned route and the leaf fall season.

This train is not scheduled to stop at any of the stations mentioned and all times are approximate and subject to locomotive availability.

If you wish to see these train please be respectful of the railway environment and please do not trespass.

Features, On Demand

The Unknown Warrior

The Unknown Warrior is buried in Westminster Abbey as a memorial to the dead of World War One, particularly those who have no known grave.

‘The Unknown Warrior’. Bugle played by David Yates. Narrated by Neil Munday

In 1920, as part of ceremonies in Britain to commemorate the dead of World War One, there was a proposal that the body of an unknown soldier, sailor or airman lying in an unmarked grave abroad be returned to England for burial in Westminster Abbey. This was to symbolise all those who had died for their country, but whose place of death was not known, or whose body remained unidentified.

It is thought that the idea came from the reverend David Railton, who had served as a chaplain on the Western Front. There are a number of versions of how the selection of the Unknown Warrior was made, but it is generally agreed that between four and six bodies were exhumed from each of the main British battle areas on the Western Front on the night of 7 November 1920, and brought to the chapel at St Pol, in northern France. Each was covered with a Union Jack. The commander of British troops in France and Flanders, Brigadier General LJ Wyatt, picked one. This was placed in a coffin which was taken to Boulogne, where it was transported to Dover on HMS Verdun. The other bodies were reburied.

On the morning of 11 November 1920 – the second anniversary of the armistice that ended World War One – the body of the Unknown Warrior was drawn in a procession to the Cenotaph. This new war memorial on Whitehall, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was then unveiled by George V. At 11 o’clock there was a two-minute silence, and the body was then taken to Westminster Abbey where it was buried at the west end of the nave. To the surprise of the organisers, in the week after the burial an estimated 1,250,000 people visited the abbey, and the site is now one of the most visited war graves in the world. The text inscribed on the tomb is taken from the bible (2 Chronicles 24:16): ‘They buried him among the kings, because he had done good toward God and toward his house’.

Article reproduced by courtesy of the BBC