A great place for industrial heritage buffs

January 14, 2010  

One of the most satisfying visits I have made during my tenure as editor of ShD was to meet with Jim Brindley, the curator of the National Fork Truck Heritage Centre. His knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious, and the array of vehicles he has on display is outstanding. 

As a young boy, I relished my trips to The Science Museum, gawping at those magnificent machines that kept the wheels of industry turning. Heck, they were the wheels of industry. My trip to the NFTHC near Alfreton sparked similar feelings of awe as I surveyed the immaculate line-up that Jim and his fellow volunteers had on display.

Apart from the odd tinge of sadness upon realising just how many of those great names have disappeared from the warehouses of the 21st century, it was an uplifting day. I urge anyone with an interest in industrial heritage to take time out of their weekend and pop over to the Centre. Jim has now launched a website, with details of the vehicles on display and other information at www.nationalforktruckheritagecentre.org.