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Ruth Baldasera raised £3,000.35 from 116 supporters

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Closed 30/11/2018

0%
£3,000
raised of £3,000 target by 116 supporters

    Weʼve raised £3,000 to Restore the final resting place of Sir Charles and Lady Katharine Parsons (www.wes.org.uk) at Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland.

    Kirkwhelpington, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
    Funded on Friday, 30th November 2018

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    Story

    Sir Charles and Lady Katharine Parsons passed away in the 1930s, and were buried in Kirkwhelpington. They had one son (Algernon) and one daughter (Rachel), but both children died unmarried and there were no grandchildren.

    Parsons created Heaton Works in 1889, and the factory now owned by Siemens, still exists today, employing 600 people. At its peak there were over 12,000 personnel employed. Thousands of local people have benefited from employment at Parsons over the years, and hopefully the factory will go on to create jobs for many years to come. There are many places where you can read and learn about this extraordinary man, his achievements, his contribution to the North East and most people know of his record-breaking ship Turbinia which is at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

    Lady Parsons was a founding member of the Women's Engineering Society in 1919 (www.wes.org.uk) and served as the 2nd President of WES between 1922-1925, following her daughter, Rachel Parsons. Lady Parsons was an engineer of ability and had the distinction of being an Honorary Fellow of the North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders. At the time of her appointment she was the first lady to be elected an honorary fellow or honorary member of any British engineering society.

    Major Algernon Parsons lost his life after 4 years service during WW1, and Rachel Parsons was a pioneering woman who took responsibility for training women for the Ministry of Munitions during WW1. (You can learn more about Rachel here - https://parsonstown.info/people/rachel-parsons)
    Their family home at Wylam was handed over as a military hospital, and the factory made over 8000 searchlights during the Great War.

    The stones need to be restored, and then I would like to leave the local parish a sum of money to look after the stones in the future.

    Updates

    42

    • Ruth Baldasera5 years ago
      Ruth Baldasera

      Ruth Baldasera

      5 years ago

      Just a note to say a final thank you to everyone who supported this project which turned into something much bigger than I thought it would. Please visit Kirkwhelpington church and the gravestones, and note there are many more places where you can be connected to this amazing man and his family - the Discovery Museum, The Lit and Phil, Parsons Polygon on Blackett St, the stained glass window in St Nicholas Cathedral, Exhibition Park, and of course Birr Castle in Ireland. Thank you all, and best wishes - Ruth Baldasera.

      Update from the Page owner

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    • Ruth Baldasera5 years ago
      Ruth Baldasera

      Ruth Baldasera

      5 years ago

      Just returned from a wonderful holiday in Ireland where I spent two days with Lord and Lady Rosse at Birr Castle. I presented them with the scrapbook and gave them an account of the service. They were thrilled to bits and would like to welcome anyone with an interest in Parsons to come and visit Birr.They are overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone who donated, and if anyone has any C A Parsons memorabilia they can add to their collection, they would really appreciate it. There is a flourishing science centre at the castle, all about CAP!

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    • Ruth Baldasera6 years ago
      Ruth Baldasera

      Ruth Baldasera

      6 years ago

      Just waiting for one more bill for the hire of the village hall, then thats everyone paid. All the money leftover will go towards the future/ongoing maintenance of the site. I am travelling to Birr Castle next month to see Lord Rosse and shall be giving the family a full overview of the project including all costs of course. Thanks to all of you, (and the fact that I live just down the road!), the site will be looked after now, and I expect a larger Parsons Project to come out of all of this. Thank you all again for your kindness.

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    6 years ago

    Ruth Baldasera started crowdfunding

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    Page last updated on: 12/7/2018 15.39

    Supporters

    116

    • Siemens plc

      Siemens plc

      Oct 12, 2018

      Please accept this donation from Siemens to achieve your target. Great job Ruth

      £140.00

    • Steve Scrimshaw

      Steve Scrimshaw

      Oct 12, 2018

      Great work Ruth, a fitting tribute to all who have worked here.

      £50.00

    • Judith Carlyle

      Judith Carlyle

      Oct 12, 2018

      What you are doing is amazing. I worked at parsons in the late 1980’s to mid 90’s.

      £10.00

    • David Fleming

      David Fleming

      Aug 23, 2018

      Pleased to support the memory of Charles A Parsons who provided so much employment and prosperity to the north of England

      £50.00

    • Ian Murdoch

      Ian Murdoch

      Aug 21, 2018

      Ruth,We're very impressed by all the work you have so clearly done to get this and the event organised so well. We see the results of Parsons' work every day and yet don't seem to acknowledge it.

      £50.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Aug 20, 2018

      Hopefully, target achieved, Well Done and Thank You Ruth!

      £5.00

    • Ian Miller

      Ian Miller

      Aug 12, 2018

      Glad to donate to the memory of Charles A. Parsons who has provided employment and friendships for so many people

      £50.00

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    Ruth Baldasera

    Ruth Baldasera

    Kirkwhelpington, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    I have been reading a lot recently about the Parsons family, and the huge impact of their work on the people of the local area. I am fascinated by the stories I have discovered about Charles and Katharine, their son and daughter, and their contribution during WW1.

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