Explore your Archive
Explore Your Archive: ‘Making the All-British Foden at the largest Steam Wagon Works in the world’
“Explore your Archive”, the national archive awareness campaign, returns this year with events planned from 8th-16th November. Once again, we have been busy identifying and selecting records to demonstrate what archives can offer to new archive audiences. “Explore your Archive”, using a storybox, tells of local heroes, showcases fantastic collections or explores a particular theme.
Industrial theme
Last year’s very popular storybox told the story of local health hero Dr John Haygarth and his work at Chester Infirmary. This year we have chosen an industrial theme, focussing on the Foden collection and telling the story of a pioneering Cheshire engineering company whose records we hold here at the Cheshire Record Office (DFO). Edwin Foden & Son first produced stationary engines for agricultural use at their foundry in Elworth near Sandbach in 1876. Fodens Ltd was formed in 1902 and at its height the company was the leading manufacturer of steam wagons in the world.
Works toolbox
Our latest storybox will hold replica documents from the Foden collection and explore various themes: the Edwin Foden story; records of the amazing steam wagons and trucks built in the factory and Fodens’ role in World War One. We have now chosen a selection of documents and images from this unique collection, produced copies and put together a replica tool chest to house them. The tool chest is a “hands on” box for people to explore and rummage through and is designed to travel unaccompanied if required.
If you would like to explore Fodens’ toolbox at your venue or event from November, let us know and watch our website for more details and Explore Your Archives events.
Events Diary
8th November 2014- Attending the Foden Society AGM at Sandbach School when Foden Society members will get the chance to explore the tool chest
10-16th November 2014 - The tool chest will be at Sandbach Library and will be open to the general public