Bob Symes
Encyclopedia
Bob Symes is the stage name of inventor Robert Alexander Baron Schutzmann von Schutzmansdorff.
Descended from an Austrian aristocratic
family, Bob Symes became a familiar face to British
TV audiences of the 1980s through his appearance on popular shows including Tomorrow's World
.
In addition to his appearances on Tomorrow's World, Bob also presented his own Model World programme dedicated to the hobby
of modelling
, on the BBC
in the mid 1970s, and co-presented (with Mary-Jean Hasler) a series called Making Tracks
in the 1990s for the BBC. Making Tracks was a series dedicated to little-known lines and networks worldwide, and which specialised in steam operations. Perhaps uniquely, episodes were not filled with background music, thereby allowing viewers to listen to trains running without distraction.
A railway enthusiast, Bob's other activities included setting up the Border Union Railway
in the 1970s to try to reopen a disused rail line in the north of England
and restoring vintage tractor
s. Around the end of the Second World War, Robert married Monica Chapman who later became Producer of the BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs
and Your Concert Choice. In January 2007 he married Dr. Sheila Gunn (now Dr. Sheila, Baroness Symes Schutzmann von Schutzmansdorff), then Works Manager at Boston Lodge
, on the Ffestiniog Railway
. His interest in railways also includes model railways such as Gauge 1, he has a gauge 1 railway in his garden that was created in 1980, many years later a 10¼ railway was also built in his garden. He is also the president of a Guildford
-based model railway circle called Astolat MRC.
Bob was also instrumental in setting up the Institute of Patentees and Inventors
.
He lives near Guildford
, Surrey
, United Kingdom
.
Descended from an Austrian aristocratic
Aristocracy (class)
The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
family, Bob Symes became a familiar face to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
TV audiences of the 1980s through his appearance on popular shows including Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
.
In addition to his appearances on Tomorrow's World, Bob also presented his own Model World programme dedicated to the hobby
Hobby
A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...
of modelling
Model (physical)
A physical model is a smaller or larger physical copy of an object...
, on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in the mid 1970s, and co-presented (with Mary-Jean Hasler) a series called Making Tracks
Making tracks
Making Tracks is an Asian American musical theater production by Second Generation, with music by Woody Pak, lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and concept and book by Welly Yang.Making Tracks tells the story of the rich and diverse history of Asians in America...
in the 1990s for the BBC. Making Tracks was a series dedicated to little-known lines and networks worldwide, and which specialised in steam operations. Perhaps uniquely, episodes were not filled with background music, thereby allowing viewers to listen to trains running without distraction.
A railway enthusiast, Bob's other activities included setting up the Border Union Railway
Border Union Railway
The Border Union Railway was a railway line in south of Scotland. It was authorised on 21 July 1859 and advertised as the Waverley Route by the promoters - the North British Railway...
in the 1970s to try to reopen a disused rail line in the north of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and restoring vintage tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
s. Around the end of the Second World War, Robert married Monica Chapman who later became Producer of the BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a BBC Radio 4 programme first broadcast on 29 January 1942. It is the second longest-running radio programme , and is the longest-running factual programme in the history of radio...
and Your Concert Choice. In January 2007 he married Dr. Sheila Gunn (now Dr. Sheila, Baroness Symes Schutzmann von Schutzmansdorff), then Works Manager at Boston Lodge
Boston Lodge
This article is about the locomotive works. For the station see Boston Lodge Halt.Boston Lodge is situated at Penrhyn Isa, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, on the A487 road about 1 mile SE across the Afon Glaslyn causeway from Porthmadog, Gwynedd in north-west Wales.It has a station on the Ffestiniog...
, on the Ffestiniog Railway
Ffestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park....
. His interest in railways also includes model railways such as Gauge 1, he has a gauge 1 railway in his garden that was created in 1980, many years later a 10¼ railway was also built in his garden. He is also the president of a Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
-based model railway circle called Astolat MRC.
Bob was also instrumental in setting up the Institute of Patentees and Inventors
Institute of Patentees and Inventors
The Institute of Patentees and Inventors is a United Kingdom-based non-profit making association. It provides support to individuals on all aspects of inventing.- External links :* *...
.
He lives near Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.