A presentation of an historical railway picture was presented to Hitachi Rail at Aycliffe by Aycliffe Village Local History Society.
Long before the new factory was built, Hitachi were friendly and helpful to AVLHS. They seemed very interested in the history of Locomotion, and in the area which saw the birth of the world wide network of railways that we have today. They have showed our members the new factory, how it is working and the wonderful new rolling stock they are producing.
As a mark of our friendship, we presented a framed picture of Locomotion and some copies of the book produced, after the site was chosen and an archaeological survey was deemed necessary before the new build could start.
It showed that four thousand years ago, early Bronze age people were well established here, and living in round houses. The bases of their houses were clearly still visible, when our Society were able to visit the site in 2013. Fascinating objects were discovered, from a tool kit found in a cremation pit to knives and shards of pottery, possibly used to skin animals and prepare food.
Later finds from the Iron Age to the last family to live on the site, the farmers of Whitworth Farm were equally interesting. Harry Moses, Chairman is shown with members of the committee.
Elizabeth Lewis,
Secretary, AVLHS.
