[rivetlad]

Hello folks,

My name is Alan McEwen and I have today logged on for the first time.

Well now you know my name, here follows a few details about what makes me tick.

I originate from the small village of Top O’ Hebers, Middleton, Lancashire. I am therefore, a proud Lancastrian, born and bred. However, since 1970, when I was sent as a Missionary by Providence to teach Tykes how to repair Lancashire mill boilers in Yorkshire woollen mills – I have lived just over the border into North Yorkshire; geographically, my home which I designed and built myself, World From Rough Stones House, is only five miles north east of Colne.

After serving a hard apprenticeship as a Boilermaker in Heywood, near Rochdale, in August 1968 I established my own Industrial Boiler Repair firm: H.A. McEwen (Boiler Repair) Ltd., which I am proud to relate, overtime became nationally renowned by both industrial and heritage fields – such as steam railways, traction engine owners, industrial museums, etc.

In late October 2007, after operating the firm as Managing Director and Chief Engineer, I resigned, handing over the reins to my son Alasdair, who then became the owner and manager of my dear old firm. I am proud to say the firm, which has many Lancashire clients, is still going strong after 43 years of trading.

In early January 2008, together with my beloved wife Christine, I started a brand new writing and publishing business. All my life I have been fascinated with many different aspects of British industrial history and in particular, the cotton mills of Lancashire, and the woollen industry of the old West Riding of Yorkshire, and it is a variety of Britain’s industrial history that is featured in the books that our firm, Sledgehammer Engineering Press Ltd write and publish.

Being a true-born Lancashire Lad, I could spout forever!