Gary L
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,208
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Post by Gary L on May 13, 2020 19:09:19 GMT
Hi All, I alluded last night to something. Don loved this forum, and it gave him an immediate platform to help others, and discussion of valve gears on here. I know he loved the discussion about David Goyder's 5"g 'Princess of Wales' and as he was quite ill at the time it cheered him up. An earlier example was Andrew P's 'Marie Estelle', a 5"g Don Young design. Anyway, the proposal I am suggesting is that we make a financial contribution to this forum site in Don's memory so that pics can be posted easily again, which has been a hindrance for a few years, and something extra to ensure that this forum can continue to prosper in the future. I know that Don had done a lot of research on W H Pearce the GWR valve gear 'supremo', and if any of this was printed off from his computers or could be retrieved we could club together to also finance a book based on Don's research. W H Pearce was Don's 'hero'. I had only snippets of this from Don in emails and over the 'phone, but he had done a significant amount of research on Willie Pearce and how he and his family ended up at Swindon that has never been published or considered before. If I recall correctly via Don, Churchward paid for W H Pearce and his family to come to Swindon so that this genius could assist him in the drawing office; it is a story never before told or commented upon! This was all Don's work as a research project with a book or series of articles in mind. Cheers, Julian I agree it would be tragic if Don’s work on WH Pearce was lost. This could easily happen if his family/heirs are unaware of the value of his work. To an executor his computer could just represent a few pounds secondhand value. If his book (or series) was well advanced, he might already have a book deal lined up, which presumably could still go ahead posthumously. If there isn’t a publisher in the wings it could be a major undertaking to finish off, but the first step would be to contact the relatives I would think. Gary
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Post by goldstar31 on May 13, 2020 19:26:27 GMT
Don was unmarried and lived with his father and mother until they died in that order.
He Had a brother- still alive and could be running Woodwind &Co in Cadishead, Manchester. Don and he were excellent repairers.
I met eddie very briefly as my late wife Dr Christine Wennington Atkinson( nee Alder). and he were great friends in saxophones and clarinets. I was just the ;roadie'
Cheers
Norman
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Post by steamer5 on May 14, 2020 1:15:26 GMT
Just wondering, as Camden has just released the latest run of Don’s valve book in both hardback & as an ebook, that maybe they are / were looking at publishing his book on Pearce? If not they may be willing to take it on to get it out for all. Just a thought. Guess it will be up to Don’s executor(s) if it makes it out in the public domain....here’s hoping that maybe somebody may be able to suggest it to them!
Cheers Kerrin
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jimc
Active Member
Posts: 10
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Post by jimc on May 30, 2020 17:30:46 GMT
I have been in communication with Don's brother Eddie about the future of the website. Its all paid up for some time so nothing will change in the short term, and I'll continue keeping an eye on it. I took the opportunity to let Eddie know about the work on Pearce, but I'm sure he has much bigger worries at the moment. I agree it would be tragic if Don’s work on WH Pearce was lost. This could easily happen if his family/heirs are unaware of the value of his work.
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Post by runner42 on May 31, 2020 8:20:28 GMT
Hi All, I alluded last night to something. Don loved this forum, and it gave him an immediate platform to help others, and discussion of valve gears on here. I know he loved the discussion about David Goyder's 5"g 'Princess of Wales' and as he was quite ill at the time it cheered him up. An earlier example was Andrew P's 'Marie Estelle', a 5"g Don Young design. Anyway, the proposal I am suggesting is that we make a financial contribution to this forum site in Don's memory so that pics can be posted easily again, which has been a hindrance for a few years, and something extra to ensure that this forum can continue to prosper in the future. I know that Don had done a lot of research on W H Pearce the GWR valve gear 'supremo', and if any of this was printed off from his computers or could be retrieved we could club together to also finance a book based on Don's research. W H Pearce was Don's 'hero'. I had only snippets of this from Don in emails and over the 'phone, but he had done a significant amount of research on Willie Pearce and how he and his family ended up at Swindon that has never been published or considered before. If I recall correctly via Don, Churchward paid for W H Pearce and his family to come to Swindon so that this genius could assist him in the drawing office; it is a story never before told or commented upon! This was all Don's work as a research project with a book or series of articles in mind. Cheers, Julian Hi Julian, it appears that your suggestion has stalled at least for the moment. I personally think that funding for the posting of photographs on this website is transitory, ie not a permanent contribution to Don's achievements, something more enduring needs to be considered and because this website is subscribed by an international audience it should reflect this. I don't know what to recommend instead but an award for excellence in ME with emphasis on valve operation is a possibility. Say the Don Ashton medal. Brian
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
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Post by jma1009 on May 31, 2020 18:47:13 GMT
Hi Brian,
I asked the Moderators for their views on my idea to reinstate uploading of pics, and only today have I had back a definitive reply that there are problems with my idea.
(I pay £10 per annum to the 'Encyclopedia Titanica' forum site as a paying member, and although I rarely do so, can upload pics direct from links or off my computer very easily).
Cheers,
Julian
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Post by runner42 on May 31, 2020 23:11:34 GMT
Julian on reflection my suggestion of a medal has problems, so another thought is that the award should be provided by digital means and that means establishing a sticky Post titled the "Don Ashton Monthly Award" and members vote on the best contribution provided during that period that advances the understanding of valve operation. Maybe it is a committee that selects the best contribution and or it should be widen to cover any aspect of Model Engineering, say a 'how to'. Another thought is I am looking at an advert that is staring at me at the top of the page, this could be replaced by the Don Ashton Award and carry the name of the winner with a link to the entry he or she made. Don Ashton Award by Brian Leach, on Flickr Brian
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
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Post by jma1009 on Jun 1, 2020 0:48:26 GMT
Hi Brian,
I don't know. I know Don loved this forum, and there is far more of Don Ashton on this forum than in ME or EIM.
These things can be quite complicated; when Arthur Grimmett died and then Hilda his second wife, his daughter Irene and I went to a nursery and selected 2 cherry trees to be planted at Broadfields, Cowes, IWMES, which we bought and planted and they grew and thrived and were well looked after. For the past 10 years or so I have seen no evidence of them at all at Broadfields; they have gone - presumably removed. So these things are perhaps transient. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust etc.
Cheers,
Julian
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Post by Jim on Jun 1, 2020 0:56:11 GMT
For what it's worth I believe this site exists for modellers to exchange ideas and seek answers to problems as they enjoy building their latest project.
While I deeply admire Don's work and enjoyed the friendship he extended to me I don't see this site as a place where member's 'compete' for awards. There are plenty of exhibitions all round the country where such an award could rightfully take its place beside other awards for excellence in model construction.
As with the other great contributors to this hobby such as Greenly, Curly and so on, their memory lives on in their publications such as their plans and construction series.
Don will forever be remembered for his work and contributions to this hobby in his publications.
Jim
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
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Post by jma1009 on Jun 2, 2020 22:36:59 GMT
One thing I have pondered over since my first personal contact with Don in 2011 is that really a compendium of all Don's writings and re-designs of valve gears both on here and in ME and EIM, and privately, ought to be brought together in a book.
Obviously, there are copyright issues to be overcome with some of this.
(Just by way of example, Roger has published Don's 'Speedy' valve gear re-design, sent to him by Don, but as few will know of this source by Roger, and Don was quite happy with this, nevertheless it might infringe copyright lorded over it by EIM many years ago! Then we have comparing it with the now ME owned copyright design by LBSC originally, the re-design by KN Harris also ME owned copyright, and the Reeves copyrighted Don Young re-design).
I don't ever recall myself and Don discussing copyright; it wasn't an issue for Don, but it might be for others who own the copyright for the original deficient designs! So another example would be what Don re-designed for me namely the Martin Evans 'Boxhill' valve gear, and the Jackson 3.5"g GWR 'King'. The 'King' might be 'out of ticket' with regards to copyright, and now seems to be claimed by Blackgates, but 'Boxhill' is still within copyright and owned by whoever owns ME.
I could cite numerous other examples.
Don adroitly avoided this in his book and website. But I have always thought both of these never showed the thought process involved when examining a particular miniature valve gear design previously published, and the sort of discussions he had on here, and in private over the 'phone with many of us, and also via email.
I recall when Don published in I think it was EIM his critique of LBSC's 'Purley Grange' valve gear a few years ago; I told him I had bought the relevant copies of EIM and cut out the pages that were his article. I could see the deficiencies with the LBSC design same as Don did, so really it did not merit much comment; and if I recall correctly Don then said to me over the 'phone something about "a nice little job"!
Cheers,
Julian
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Gary L
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,208
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Post by Gary L on Jun 2, 2020 23:00:24 GMT
One thing I have pondered over since my first personal contact with Don in 2011 is that really a compendium of all Don's writings and re-designs of valve gears both on here and in ME and EIM, and privately, ought to be brought together in a book. Obviously, there are copyright issues to be overcome with some of this. (Just by way of example, Roger has published Don's 'Speedy' valve gear re-design, sent to him by Don, but as few will know of this source by Roger, and Don was quite happy with this, nevertheless it might infringe copyright lorded over it by EIM many years ago! Then we have comparing it with the now ME owned copyright design by LBSC originally, the re-design by KN Harris also ME owned copyright, and the Reeves copyrighted Don Young re-design). I don't ever recall myself and Don discussing copyright; it wasn't an issue for Don, but it might be for others who own the copyright for the original deficient designs! So another example would be what Don re-designed for me namely the Martin Evans 'Boxhill' valve gear, and the Jackson 3.5"g GWR 'King'. The 'King' might be 'out of ticket' with regards to copyright, and now seems to be claimed by Blackgates, but 'Boxhill' is still within copyright and owned by whoever owns ME. I could cite numerous other examples. Don adroitly avoided this in his book and website. But I have always thought both of these never showed the thought process involved when examining a particular miniature valve gear design previously published, and the sort of discussions he had on here, and in private over the 'phone with many of us, and also via email. I recall when Don published in I think it was EIM his critique of LBSC's 'Purley Grange' valve gear a few years ago; I told him I had bought the relevant copies of EIM and cut out the pages that were his article. I could see the deficiencies with the LBSC design same as Don did, so really it did not merit much comment; and if I recall correctly Don then said to me over the 'phone something about "a nice little job"! Cheers, Julian You are right to raise it Julian, but the general custom with magazine submissions is the writer retains the copyright; the mag gets first publication rights only. (Not that I've ever written for EIM). And publishing a critique which quotes from the original work (within reason) is not generally a breach of copyright either. I would think most of Don's work would fall into one category or the other, so it shouldn't be a big obstacle. Gary
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
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Post by jma1009 on Aug 15, 2022 12:44:53 GMT
Whilst doing a bit of research into the GWR 4709 project ('The Night Owl'), I came across the following tribute to Don Ashton, that may be of interest. It includes a number of pics of Don that I had not previously seen. betasite4709.squarespace.com/4709blog/don-ashton-1939-2020I hope the link works. Cheers, Julian
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2022 18:17:24 GMT
Thank you for sharing the link Julian, a fascinating read of a brilliant man. I agree with the author, Don would indeed help anyone and I'm grateful to him for the correspondence shared helping me to under stand walschaerts valve gear. His passing is a great loss to the hobby as is that of the late Peter Rich.
King regards
Pete
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Post by simon6200 on Aug 15, 2022 22:12:36 GMT
Yes, thanks Julian. I wonder how many locos are running around with Don’s improvements. Mine for one.
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Midland on Aug 16, 2022 17:19:13 GMT
Thank you Julian almost as if he was alive again. And also thanks to runner 42 for his kind comments from some time ago, I am glad Don enjoyed teaching me about the PoW gear. The Princess should be back in ticket this Friday and she still sounds good. I found an old book I had from America about an obscure valve gear and I sent it to him when he was ill. He loved it as it quoted the same remarks as he put in the opening of his book. I still have a lovely letter from him, we do lose some great chaps! Cheers David
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Post by doubletop on Aug 17, 2022 7:45:19 GMT
Whilst doing a bit of research into the GWR 4709 project ('The Night Owl'), I came across the following tribute to Don Ashton, that may be of interest. It includes a number of pics of Don that I had not previously seen. betasite4709.squarespace.com/4709blog/don-ashton-1939-2020I hope the link works. Cheers, Julian The link didn't work for me, I got some strange error message. Here is a link directly to the 4709 project www.4709.org.uk/4709blog/don-ashton-1939-2020Note - at the bottom of the page there is a likes link. It only had 2 likes but now has 3. I'm sure we could do better than that so if you read the notes perhaps it would be an idea to click the link. Pete
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