16 January 2025 The Dick Sansbury Collection

Presenter: John Barrowdale

The survival of the photograph collection of Dick Sansbury, a former
Geography teacher, is a classic example of how easily images can be lost to
future generations if the original owner fails to leave clear instructions for
their future safe storage and ownership. Fortunately the collection narrowly
escaped being lost due to the perseverance and patience of a few people
not least in technically restoring the slides that were suffering mould damage
and other signs of deterioration. John Barrowdale was one of those who
invested time and expertise in their restoration thus enabling us to see a
wonderfully nostalgic glimpse in authentic colour of the 1950’s featuring
mainly steam traction but also diesels that are now also rightly regarded as
heritage locomotives.

Dick’s teaching posts in Eastleigh and Aberystwyth meant that Hampshire
and the Cambrian lines of BR (WR) featured strongly in the presentation but
we also saw tantalising glimpses elsewhere including the trams that worked
on the Swansea & Mumbles Railway and grimy 9F’s working past the giant
steelworks that once stood in the Northamptonshire town of Corby. Dick
was a good friend of the Eastleigh shedmaster and well-known
photographer Stephen Townroe thus enabling privileged access to the
footplate and to accident scenes.

Particularly memorable were scenes taken inside Eastleigh Works in the
1950’s featuring the men working there as much as the actual locomotives. A
true snapshot of 1950’s industrial Britain featuring a somewhat more ‘robust’
attitude to Health & Safety than is the case today.
Looking down from the great ‘engine shed in the sky’, Dick Sansbury would
justifiably be very pleased that his work was being enjoyed by future
generations. A big thank you to John for presenting the show and for his
part in restoring the collection.