Rakewood Viaduct. A Talk by Ray Whittaker

Littleborough Historical and Archaeology Group were given a couple of hundred photographs taken in the 1960’s during the construction of the Rakewood viaduct on the M62.  To put this into context, you drive over it on the way to Yorkshire on the M62, with Hollingworth Lake on your left.

Important as these slides are from a historical perspective, endless pictures of construction would not be particularly interesting, even with a good speaker.  So, bring on Ray Whittaker.  Ray has obviously spent hours preparing a powerpoint presentation par excellence which, matched with his engaing style held his audience in rapt attention for the next 50 minutes.

It certainly brought home the difference in Health & Safety culture and the small size of their earth moving machines from a time that many of us consider as being in the recent past!

After the talk, Ray and his colleague David put on a display of flint tools that their members have found on the moors above Littleborough.  These were not barely identifiable chips but beautifully manufactured tools and arrowheads made with great skill, circa 5000 years ago.

All told, this was a wonderful way to spend a dreary wet Autumn afternoon!  Thanks guys.