The Official Renaming Ceremony

Dr Gary Shannon writes:

One of the greatest moments of my involvement with 71000, other than the first day we ran it, the official renaming ceremony was really a day to recognise everyone who had contributed - both Members and British industry to the project.  Let us not forget! 

The best part of £100k was raised by share subscription.  An estimated £150k was contributed in kind by engineering companies.  I have no figure for fundraising and donations but over the 13 years it must have been substantial. 

John Bennett remembers:

The attached photographs were taken on the occasion of the official renaming ceremony of 71000 Duke of Gloucester by His Royal Highness, the current Duke of Gloucester on Remembrance Day, 11th November 1986. 

The event took place at Rothley Station for the benefit of His Royal Highness and his retinue, invited members of the 71000 Steam Locomotive Company and Trust, the Great Central Railway, and, of course, the press. The locomotive carried a wreath for Remembrance Day and at the appropriate time, 11am, the distinctive chime whistle was sounded to mark the beginning of the two minute silence.  The silence ended with a further blast of the whistle. 

His Royal Highness arrived, chauffeur driven, with a heavy security and police presence. After the re-naming had taken place with the customary speeches, the Duke and his entourage, together with invited guests, attended a banquet in a marquee set up at the south end of Rothley Station. 

By pure coincidence I sat next to an elderly lady, then in her mid eighties, who was none other than the widow of the late Robert A Riddles who had died in 1983.  Mrs Riddles was quite a character as I recall.  I engaged in conversation with her during lunch and said that it was rather sad that her late husband had not survived to see the Duke completed in all its glory.   She said, "My husband was a fine engineer, one of the best" and then she made reference to the copious amounts of wine and sherry displayed on one of the tables at the end of the marquee.  She said, "Look at all that wine and sherry.  What you should do is get a few glasses down you.  It'll put a bit of colour in your cheeks".  I had to advise her that it wouldn't be a wise move as I had to drive home afterwards and I had my parents with me as well. 

Talking to the late Mrs Riddles was rather like stepping back into a bygone age.  She sadly passed away a year or two ago aged 108!