‘L.T.C. ROLT – LIFE, WORK, LEGACY’ - A JOINT IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST & KEELE UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE

LTC Rolt was a prolific author of books and articles on a wide range of subjects – including Industrial History, Canals, Railways, Cars, Ecology and Fiction. His passion for the subjects, and accessible writing style, has meant that a large pool of existing fans of his work are regularly joined by new readers, who are just discovering his work. His publications played a significant role in the emerging field of industrial archaeology and industrial heritage preservation, and he was personally involved in the foundation of organisations such as The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA), the Talyllyn Railway, the Inland Waterways Association and the Vintage Sports-Car Club, to name just a few.

The conference programme has now been announced and tickets are on sale. See the programme here and buy tickets below. 

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TICKETS

There are three types of ticket available:

• A one-day ticket for Friday 10 May that includes attendance at the conference talks, access to the Rolt archive display, tea and coffee and a buffet lunch.
• A multi-day ticket for Thursday 9 May to Saturday 12 May that includes everything included in the one-day ticket as well as:

Thursday - Evening drinks reception where friends and family of Tom and Sonia Rolt will share their memories.

Friday - Attendance at conference talks, access to the Rolt archive display, tea and coffee, a buffet lunch and a three course conference dinner and drinks.

Saturday - Morning tea and coffee, attendance at one of three guided visits (find out more below) and free entry to IGMT's museums. 

Sunday - Free entry to IGMT's museums.

• A version of the multi-day ticket for ‘Friends of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’ is also available. Those purchasing ‘Friends’ tickets will be required to show evidence of their Friends Membership during Registration at the Conference.

DATES

Call for Papers deadline – This has now passed but the Call for Papers document can still be found here.

Thursday 9 May 2024 – 50^th anniversary of the death of LTC Rolt. Drinks reception in the Furnace Kitchen, Coalbrookdale.  

Friday 10 May 2024 – Conference Main Day - three sessions over the day, with an evening meal.

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Activities at one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust sites. Details below.

Session titles

• Rolt as a Writer
• Legacies of Rolt
• Who was LTC Rolt?

weekend activities for holders of multi-day tickets

Multi-day ticket holders will have the option to sign up for special tours on Saturday 11 May:

• A behind-the-scenes tour of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, an iconic landmark of the Industrial Revolution - two tours at 10am and 2pm
• A visit of the Iron Bridge led by Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) Honorary Secretary David de Hann - two tours at 10am and 2pm
• A 'Winterstoke' tour of Blists Hill Victorian Town inspired by what is arguably Rolt's most visionary work - one tour at 4pm

They will also get free access for Saturday and Sunday to Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Enginuity, Coalport China Museum, Jackfield Tile Museum, the Darby Houses, the Old Furnace and the Iron Bridge and Tollhouse. That weekend Blists Hill will be hosting its popular Heavy Horse event. 

In addition, on Saturday 11 May the Vintage Sports Car Club will host a rally in Coalbrookdale. Attendance will be free to all visitors. Find out more.

If you have any questions please contact Nick Booth, Collections & Learning Director at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, on telephone 01952 435900.

Thank you to our sponsors

We would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors. This event has been made possible by the generous sponsorship of the following organisations:

Hire! Freeman

Friends of The Ironbridge Gorge Museums

Shropshire Archaeological & Historical Society - Betton Fund