Author Topic: Walking Class Hero: Roy of the Rovers  (Read 822 times)

TheGUYuk

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Walking Class Hero: Roy of the Rovers
« on: 11:42:39, 03/11/12 »
Interesting :) O0
 Walking Class Hero: Roy of the RoversIn the middle of an unassuming patch of grass, at the end of a non-descript cul-de-sac, right on the very fringes of London, is an unremarkable memorial to a man who literally (and I do mean literally) changed the way we look at this country. The man was Major-General William Roy FRS, the cul-de-sac is the prosaically named Roy Grove and it can be found in that vague area that is close by but isn’t Teddington or Twickenham or Feltham or Hounslow – Hampton, Middlesex. (Not to be confused with the Hamptons which is an area that includes Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick and Hampton Court and definitely not The Hamptons on Long Island, New York.)

Roy was a Scottish surveyor, antiquarian and military engineer who lived in the 18th century – 1726 to 1790. His innovation and the use of new scientific discoveries led to the accurate geodetic measurement of Britain and in turn, this work led to the founding of the Ordnance Survey in 1791. So every time you so much as glance at any of your trusty OS maps you’ve got William Roy to thank.
http://www.walkmag.co.uk/blogs/walking-class-hero-roy-of-the-rovers/
 

 

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