Some of those who attended the annual reunion of locomotive drivers at Rosegrove on Friday. Rosegrove Railway Staff Club annual reunion held on Friday was a rather nostalgic affair, for it may be the last due to the closure of Rosegrove locomotive shed to steam engines scheduled for August. This was revealed by social secretary, Mr G Langford, who said that the reunion, which included tea and a concert for 30 ex-drivers and their wives, had been financed by voluntary subscriptions from ASLEF members at Rosegrove.
He told the Burnley Express “ Because it could be the last reunion, we have included among our presentations one to Mr W Middleton (64), of Woodbine Rd, although he will not officially retire until January next year.” The others who also received £5 each from the Social Fund were Mr J Howarth (65) of Rutland Avenue and Mr J Atherton (65) of Berridge avenue, all locomotive drivers of Rosegrove. The oldest person present was Mr George McSuddel (81) of Rosegrove Lane with 48 years’ service at Rosegrove to his credit. A close second was Mr Edward Chapman (80) of Lowerhouse Fold, who began work as a railway cleaner with the former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at the age of 17. He progressed from fireman to driver and retired in 1941.