We're looking forward to hearing Malcolm's talk in which he will describe Stephenson's life from his lowly, uneducated childhood. Stephenson was born into a poor family who lived in one room of a four-roomed house in Wylam, which they shared with three other families. With his strong character and an ability to develop his ideas and solve problems, Stephenson became 'King of the Railway' with a fine mansion in Derbyshire.

The meeting will be held in the theatre, downstairs in South Shields Central Library. We meet from 5pm. The talk will start 5.30, and finish by 6.45pm. Visitors are welcome at a charge of £1. For further details please contact the reference desk in the library on 424 7864.