This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21558182
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hornby 150th anniversary celebrations get under way | Hornby 150th anniversary celebrations get under way |
(1 day later) | |
A year of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the inventor of Hornby trains, Mecccano and Dinky toys is getting under way. | A year of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the inventor of Hornby trains, Mecccano and Dinky toys is getting under way. |
Brighton Toy and Model Museum has been given a £34,000 lottery grant to celebrate the life of Frank Hornby. | Brighton Toy and Model Museum has been given a £34,000 lottery grant to celebrate the life of Frank Hornby. |
"The toy museum, I would say, has got the finest collection of Hornby products to be seen anywhere, in the world," said director Chris Littledale. | "The toy museum, I would say, has got the finest collection of Hornby products to be seen anywhere, in the world," said director Chris Littledale. |
"We have got a staggering collection of Mr Hornby's trains in various sizes." | "We have got a staggering collection of Mr Hornby's trains in various sizes." |
He said the Hornby 00 Gauge railway was "a lovely thing - more than a toy". | He said the Hornby 00 Gauge railway was "a lovely thing - more than a toy". |
'Humble man' | 'Humble man' |
Frank Hornby was born in Liverpool in 1863 and began to manufacture toys, beginning with Meccano, in a small one-room factory in 1901. | Frank Hornby was born in Liverpool in 1863 and began to manufacture toys, beginning with Meccano, in a small one-room factory in 1901. |
The company's HQ was at Binns Road in Liverpool for more than 60 years. It was later taken over by the owners of Tri-ang, whose factory was in Margate, Kent. | The company's HQ was at Binns Road in Liverpool for more than 60 years. It was later taken over by the owners of Tri-ang, whose factory was in Margate, Kent. |
There is still a Hornby visitor centre near Margate. | There is still a Hornby visitor centre near Margate. |
Mr Littledale said Hornby was "quite a humble man". | Mr Littledale said Hornby was "quite a humble man". |
"He was one of these people who had ideas and he had this sudden idea that it would be educationally rather good to put together a geometric system whereby you could nut and bolt things together," he said. | "He was one of these people who had ideas and he had this sudden idea that it would be educationally rather good to put together a geometric system whereby you could nut and bolt things together," he said. |
"The name Meccano was derived from mechanics made easy. He coined that phrase - it was very clever marketing." | "The name Meccano was derived from mechanics made easy. He coined that phrase - it was very clever marketing." |
"Dinky didn't come in until the 1930s, then Dinky toys were hugely popular right into the 1960s." | "Dinky didn't come in until the 1930s, then Dinky toys were hugely popular right into the 1960s." |
By 1931 Hornby was the owner of a multinational business, MP for Everton, and a millionaire. | By 1931 Hornby was the owner of a multinational business, MP for Everton, and a millionaire. |
The anniversary year was being launched on Saturday night at the museum, which occupies Victorian arches in Trafalgar Street, underneath Brighton railway station. | |
The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will pay for new screens and interactive displays and educational resources about Frank Hornby's life. | The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will pay for new screens and interactive displays and educational resources about Frank Hornby's life. |
It will also fund a programme of events and activities, including festivals on Merseyside and Liverpool and a Frank Hornby week in Brighton. | It will also fund a programme of events and activities, including festivals on Merseyside and Liverpool and a Frank Hornby week in Brighton. |