Historic machine to return to Bradford on Avon (From Wiltshire Times)
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Historic machine to return to Bradford on Avon
9:51am Monday 11th March 2013 in Bradford By Katie Smith
The Iron Duke rubber rolling machine
Campaigners have successfully applied for planning permission to return a historic machine to Bradford on Avon.
The Museum Society and Preservation Trust have been trying to return The Iron Duke – the rolling machine Stephen Moulton started the rubber works with in Bradford in 1848 – to Bradford on Avon for a number of years.
It has been in pieces at the Industrial Museum in Bristol since 1973 but will now be reassembled for public display in Kingston Road.
David Moss, chairman of the Preservation Trust, said: “This is excellent news as it now allows us to go ahead in sorting out details with Linden Homes and getting a foundation designed.”
Once the designs are complete, funding will take place. It is expected to cost around £50,000 and the funding was started in 2010 when the late Dr Alex Moulton donated £10,000.
Mervyn Harris, chairman of Bradford on Avon Museum Society, said: “It is an important part of Bradford on Avon and it should be sited near enough to where it was. I am delighted we can now move forward.”
