RAISING STEAM
STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB MAGAZINE
EDIJOR
Barry Sumsion, H:earline Graphic Images, Fair0ak House Business Centre, Church Road, Newport NPl~ 7EJ Tel: Ollii33 262197 iFax: 01633 2590S9
Cl'IAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
Hohn Dut.1m.g,Ha~ho,n Cottage, Stubwood, Uttoxeter, Staffoi;ilshil;e STi14 5HX
Tel: Oil.889591188 (between 08.00 a,nd 21.00 honrs onily please)
VICE-Cl'IAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
Elaine Massey, 2'1Down Close, N0rlholt, Mtddlesex iUB5 6NS
Tel: 020 8248 6ffi7.0e-mail: elaine.masseyFiwfrgin.r;iet
MEMBERSt.UP SECREifARY
John Coo)<,Dolfarni, Church Lane, Korby la Thorpe, Sleaford, LincolnsJlire NG34 9N'U. Correspondence only. Membership fee £5.00 per a>mll'!Il.
'Ilhe !Editor we,lcomes any contri,butions of articles, shorter items or -photographs for inclusion in future issues. Ml material submitted is iVOluntary.and payment cannot be made for any mate:cial ;published. The opinions expressed i'n t!h.emagazine, with the exception of Club announcements, are those of the contF:ibutors and do not indicate the views of tfue Club a.s a whole. All items are held copyright by the contributor and ;the NTET.
Please send your, contr-ibuiiions to the Editor at least 'fi,veweeks !before publtcatrl.on.Typed articles are ipreferred but not essential. ff handwritten p.ut any names of PEOPLE, PLACES or. ENGINES in BL0CK CAPITAlLS. Tf you Tequire any. part o:6your article (eg photos) rreturning iplease say so and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Enclose y'Olll' name, address and (if A-pprentice) age wi'th any cont:ni.bution.
The Editor :i-eservesthe right-to amend or refuse contributions, and will attempt to coTiect spelling and gr~mmar!
['he Magazine is nor.mally published during the early: pant of llanuary, Apr:Jl, July and October. 'Dhe Club accepts no liability for failure to meet intended publication do.tes.
The Steam AP.prentice Club is a section of the National Traction Engine Trust. N'J\E'I/is a Registered Charity, No. 291578.Registered in England No. 1302197. Registered Office: 4 Church Green East, Redditch, Worcester~hire 'B98 SBT.
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Marshall 10 ton compound roller No. 60207 at the Great Dorset Steam Fair after being presented with the Arthur Field Cup for Best Working Engine in the Steam Roller section. With the engine are (back row left to right): Neil Cobb (Steam Apprentice), Sharon Musselwhite, John Dover, Andrew Cobb (ex Stea,n Apprentice), (front row): Clare Meredith (Steam Apprentice) and Adam Meredith (Steam Apprentice). Special thanks to Colin and Julie Meredith for their support. This photo from Andrew and Neil Cobb, who, as usual, obviously enjoyed their time at Dorset.
FROM THE EDITOR
I am writing this a bit later than I should and I apologise for your magazine being a few weeks late. Both John (your Chairman) and myself have been particularly busy in our respective jobs of late and this has meant that we were unable to get on with some of the more important things in life - like the production of Raising Steam. Indeed, I have been so busy at work that I didn't get to the Great Dorset this year except for a one day visit! That's something that I haven't done for many many years. That also sums up my steaming year I'm afraid. I did manage a weekend at the Welland Rally, but what with rallies not happening this year because of Foot & Mouth Disease and my work load, I seem to have suffered from a lack of steam engines this year - not good! So, fortunately, many of you have sent in your contributions and we don't need to rely on me for much in the way of input this time. We also have important news from our Chairman and we can publish some of the winning pictures from the Photographic Competition held at the Great Dorset.
Good Steaming, Barry Sumsion, Editor
THE CHAIRMAN'S BIT
Well, how many of you saw Morning Star out and about this year?
How many took and sent in the pictures that Barry asked for?
She has covered over 300 miles on the road and we have attended as many shows as possible, given the problems of this year. The longest run that the three of us (that's Ian, Morning Star and I) made was the 120 mile journey from home in Staffordshire to Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire for the Bedford Steam Engine Society's Rally in September. This took us three days - and it was great fun. We didl about 40 miles each day and enjoyed the gentle pace of travel through the quieter parts of England, courtesy of Aveling & Porter. I am also pleased to report that nothing major broke or fell off. We did, of course, have a mammoth cleaning job to do on the Friday before the rally, to remove all the oil and road dirt ready for the show on the Saturday. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough holiday left to drive her home as well, so she came back to Klondyke Mill on a pram (sorry, low loader - 3 days to get there, 3 hours to get home!).
I think that that is enough about my other woman (as Fiona refers to MS), now to Club business.
The Great Dorset Steam Fair now feels like a long time ago, but those of you who were able to get down to the South West will have had a great time. This year we again ran the driving cavalcade in the haulage arena -at the request of the engine owners. This must say something for the dedication of the owners and drivers, or perhaps they just like any excuse to play engines. I must take this opportunity to thank one or two people for their hard work during the show. The task of manning the SAC stand in the NTET marquee was shared by Elaine Massey, Duncan and Jayne Croser and myself. Graham Chaffer worked with several youngsters on the engines and guided us through the Apprentice Cavalcade. Thank you to you all!
For those of you who are more actively involved in working with engines, there follows details of the SAC Log Book scheme which we have been working on for some time. If you want to be able to show how much you have done with engines, then this scheme is for you.
After the foot and mouth epidemic caused the cancellation of most of our Driving Days this year we are planning for next year already. We are still trying to find a venue in the North East to hold a course. We are also looking at dividing them up so that the more experienced apprentices can tackle more challenging tasks, whilst the new comers start at the basics. The details of the Driving Days available will be sent out in the next issue of Raising Steam.
As I write this, Autumn is now with us and engines are being put to bed for the winter. Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, a good New Year and I hope that you can all find something to do with engines to keep you busy until the sunshine comes back.
John Durling, Chairman
LOG BOOKS
Many of you who work on various people's engine during the course of the rally season will undoubtedly have come across the difficulty of convincing an engine driver that you actually know something about operating steam engines.
If you had a logbook, recording your experience with engines, this would show anyone who was interested what you can do and what you can't.
The SAC committee, along with the Engine Owners Sub Committee of the NTET, has been working to produce a suitable logbook for Apprentices. This is now available.
It takes the form of an A5 ring binder with a lot of useful information on the safe operation of engines and specially prepared pages for you to record what you have done and where. There is also the opportunity for the engine owner to sign to confirm that you have carried out certain tasks. The aim of this logbook is to build up a record of your time with steam vehicles and, after a suitable assessment, lead to the award of a certificate stating your level of achievement.
These logbooks will be available to any member of the Steam Apprentice Club, over the age of 13, who is actively involved with steam vehicles.
To try to understand the level of interest in this scheme we need to know how many of you want a logbook. If you think that you qualify we need you to do the following:-
Write to Elaine Massey -Vice Chairman, (address inside front cover) telling us what you have done with steam vehicles over the last year. This should include the names and types of engines you have worked on, where they were (rally name etc.), any special task or activity that you have helped with.
If you have worked with one particular engine, tell us how you came to be involved with this engine, what you like about it, any special activities you have done etc. For example, have you been on any road runs?
The idea behind this is so that we can know that you are keen to continue your time working with and learning about engines.
Don't forget to include your name, address, age and membership number. We look forward to hearing from you.
MAIL BAG
News from The Midlands
It has been a shorter season than usual for us with our SAC stand, but a thoroughly enjoyable one. Our first show was at Cromford, an old show to us but only the second year with the stand. Things started off quietly with barely an apprentice in sight, but they soon came out of the woodwork to say hello. It was nice to see that most were already teamed with drivers met during last year's rally. We have had a request from a driver who would like to take on an apprentice in the High Peaks area. He has a D Type Aveling & Porter Roller. As we're moving, please contact me by e-mail steve.tailor@btinternet.com or contact John Durling and he will pass on the details.
Our next event was a new event to us, we try to add a few new shows each year. It was Wolverhampton, although a relatively small show steam-wise, I'm sure that this is a show that will grow and grow, an enjoyable weekend with plenty of future apprentices walking away with membership forms.
On the return from Wolverhampton, the ever-faithful car started to play up but managed to get us to our next show at Holcot, running on only 4 of its 6 cylinders. We limped into Holcot and found our pitch ready and waiting for us. The weekend was sunny and the show went well, all apprentices were found engines and all enquiries answered. Many membership forms were handed out. This show deserves an extra mention in that all apprentices placed with engines received a show plaque in the shape of a horse brass, thank you for that Holcot, I know that at least one organiser reads Raising Steam.
Below we see Steam Apprentice Will Hadland with Mr Ron Gee and his 4 inch scale Foster single 'Tillymint'. See Will's letter opposite.
With the car rapidly giving up we made it home but with the engine giving out before Dorset, so while the apprentices were living it up there, I was under the bonnet rebuilding the head in time for the Haddenham Rally. This is always an enjoyable rally and we were sited in the engine line up. As usual, apprentices were everywhere and mostly again linked up with drivers. The amount of membership forms and questions answered made it one of our busiest shows and although we left tired, we were happy.
Looking back on the season, what can I say? The SAC stand is now recognised by apprentices, drivers and rally organisers alike, which hopefully means we're doing our job right. We have had invites back from all rallies attended this season and even invites from rallies we hadn't.
Plans for next year include new signs, new photo boards and an addition to our stand in the shape of a 1934 Aveling & Porter playing field roHer. Whilst a petrol model, I hope to cover its restoration in Raising Steam, space and the editor's approval permitting. Watch out in the next issue for the list of rallies we will be attending and we hope to see you all there. Thanks from us and I know the apprentices, to the Committee who keep this club running year after year and thanks to the many rallies that let us attend.
PS Rushden show report will be in the next issue.
Steve Taylor
Dear Editor
On Sunday 15th July at Wellesbourne Water Mill, Warwickshire Rural Show took place. There were lots of interesting things on show from thatchers to steam engines. Five full size steam engines turned up and two miniatures. Muriel and Tillymint were the two 4 inch scale engines, Muriel being a Garrett and Tillymint a Foster. I was asked to help with Tillymint. On the Sunday morning after a full English breakfast on the barbecue, I ashed out Tillymint, after that I put a fire in the tiny firebox. By the time we had 40 pounds of steam Muriel had full steam so it chuffed up the field to the watermill. Not long after that we followed with full steam. When we got to the other field with the other engines there were lots of people everywhere. With a small donation to the Wellesbourne Lions, children could have a ride in Tillymint's trailer. We were giving rides all day along with Muriel. When everyone started to go home we took Tillymint back to the field and put it away. It was a really great day. I would like to say thank you to Ron Gee (owner and builder of Tillymint).
Will Hadland (14)
Newbold on Stour, Warwickshire
Dear Editor
I went to the Dorset Steam Fair on Thursday 30th in the morning and I joined the Steam Apprentice Club. It was great. The SAC members tried to get us on an engine each day. I went on John Young's 15 ton Aveling & Porter
Roller for two days. In the morning I polished the brass and laid the fire. One morning I cleared the ash out. That was hard work, but it was good to do. We went in the ring and I steered it round and then it started to rain. Me. and John got soaked to the skin, but we still had fun.
We did lots of other things as well. On Saturday evening, they got lots of engines into the ring and we got into pairs. Each pair got to go on as many engines as possible and got to steer them round the ring - even drive some of them.
Sunday morning we took some breakfast -sausage, bacon and egg to the National Traction Engine Trust tent, and one by one we went to an engine and cooked our breakfast on a clean shovel!
I me up with another steam apprentice called Jenny. She taught me a few things about engines which helped a lot. We met up at the engines each morning and sometimes we went for walks around the fun fair. We had great fun together. We will stay in touch.
It was my first time as an apprentice and it was a great experience. I shall carry on with the Steam Apprentice Club.
Laura Chaffer (10)
Storrington, West Sussex
Dear Editor
I thought I would write and let you know about my very own steam rally that I organised which took place on Saturday 18th August. I held it in my Grandad's garden under five gazebos because it rained all day but we had fun! We displayed nearly 30 engines, all miniatures, the largest being our 2 inch scale Ruston traction engine. Some were steamed up, some ran on air and others were just on display. Friends brought along their engines, one even brought his model helicopter which was hovered when the rain stopped.
Pop pop steam boats were sunk by my school mates, also all the cakes and burgers were eaten by them. They all enjoyed themselves seeing as it was the first steam rally they had ever been to! We had a table full of k'nex models, another full of oil cans and a library corner packed with books all about steam engines. All the children were occupied with pictures to colour of traction engines, I K Brunel and a Cornish beam engine. They also had lots of toy trains to play with.
This was the second year the event took place. Last year 50 people came, this year about 80 people came out to play with us. Plans are in progress for next year's event!
James Huntley (7)
Whitchurch, Bristol
PS Many thanks for a great day at Dorset this year. I had a brilliant day on Princess Maud, the small Garrett Showman's Engine. Thanks Kerrie.
COMPETITION RESULTS
Here we announce the results of this year's Colouring and Photographic Competitions and reproduce some of the w1nn1ng pictures from the latter. Unfortunately in a 'black and white' magazine we cannot reproduce the Colouring Competition entries in a way that would show the wonderful efforts that have been made by those who entered. I was not able to be present this year at Dorset, but I have the results before me.
The winner of the Colouring Competition was James Huntley, aged 7, from Whitchurch, Bristol; second place was earned by Martin Riby, also aged 7, fom Corsham, Wiltshire; whilst 3rd place went to Jake Tweedy, aged 6, from near Stoke-on-Trent. The judges also awarded a "Well Done" to Bevan Wray, aged 4, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. From what I see before me, these and the efforts of other entrants were to a very good standard, and I am amazed to see the talents of such young people. I am also a little amazed at the colour that some see as suitable for a ploughing engine! A very good effort by all who entered.
When it comes to the Photographic Competition, it seems we were down on numbers. However, the winners produced some very good results, and it will be noted that some 'regular' names crop up within the winners! J: am very impressed with the entries from Robert Bance, who came First and was winner of the Dorset Shield. Equal joint Second position was held by Mark Gliddon and Will Hadland. Some of their entries are shown on these pages.
This would be a good time to mention digital photographs, and what we can or cannot do with them in print. I understand a number of montages were put on display at Dorset which appear to come from digital cameras and then printed out on an inkjet printer. We cannot make a good reproduction from a print created on an inkjet printer - even the ones produced on high gloss paper do not give us much of a chance to get a good result on the printed page. Digital pictures are frequently of low resolution compared to what is needed in printing-they work best within their own media i.e. with a computer and its printer. However if we can get hold of a digital picture on a disc or sent via e-mail, then, so long as we do not require to print it at a very large size, satisfactory results may be achieved. If you have a digital picture that you would like to see reproduced in the magazine, save it as a 'jpeg', to save disc space or time within the e-mail, and send a copy to me. You will get your disc back in just the same way that we return your photos, but please remember to protect it so that it does not get damaged in the post.
On these two pages we see the entries from winner Robert Bance. The picture above is of Burrell Road Loco No 4093 'Dorothy' seen at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, whilst below we see an excellent portrait of Fowler Ploughing Engine No. 2861 at the Essex Steam and Country Show. On page 8 are three Fowler Road Locos seen at Dorset 2000 hauling the trailer loaded with a tank.
Joint Second in the Photographic Competition was Mark Gliddon. Above is his photo of Fowler No 17105 seen ready to depart from Welland Show earlier this year. This engine 'lives' within a few miles of the show and regularly steams to and from the site. Below is a comparatively rare engine - Tasker 'Little Giant' No 1513 (he thinks), seen at Venn Ottery, Devon.
Our other Joint Second was Will Hadland with two pictures shown here taken at the very attractive setting of Stanway House. Above is Aveling & Porter Roller No 3069, whilst below we see Garrett Tractor ]yo 33981. Unfortunately the black and white reproduction does not do justice to the original colour print.
NEW MEMBERS
It is a while since we have recorded newly joined apprentices Here we make good that situation and welcome the following to the
Steam Apprentice Club.
Ian Culham, Manningtree
William Owen, Walton-on-Thames
John Turner, Ipswich
Daniel Evans, Shrewsbury
Mark Simmonds, Langford
Ian Reddish, St. Albans
John Clegg, Glossop
B. Kellett, Malpas
Alex Baker, Bel per
George Dewar, Shefford
Edwin Goodall, Swadlincote
Samuel Goodall, Swadlincote
James Beal, Kings Langley
Joseph Beal, Kings Langley
Christopher Barraclough, Deopham
Green
Cheryl Cornish, Woking
Daniel Timmins, St. Albans
Benjamin Hackman, Douglas, l.o.M.
Tom Newby, Beckhampton
Robert Dodd, Droitwich Spa
Travis March, Bury St. Edmunds
Jennifer Honour, Stansted
James Barber, Hitchin
Timothy Fisher, Oakley
William Thomson, Bathgate
James Attridge, Hanworth Park
Stephen Cutts, Chelmsford
Matthew Cutts, Chelmsford
William Lakin, Shefford
Daniel Bagshaw, Bicester
Bruce Harvey, Hoddesdon
Stephen Summerbee, Hitchin
David Laird, Shrivenham
Richard de Roeck, Hitchin
Michael Field, Sunbury-on-Thames
Sean Holden, Petworth
Sarah Holden, Petworth
Matthew Hooker, Bordon
Theo Jalil, Loddon
Joel Davis, Barton-Le-Clay
J. Ellis, St Austell
Ashley Epton, Boston
Pippa Cooper, Thatcham
Rosie Cooper, Thatcham
Daniel Smith, Huddersfield
Tristan Fisher, Oakley
Emily Smith, Newark
Jake Vernum, Peterborough
William Saunders, Uffington
Daniel Odell, Creaton
Daniel Brockway, Gillingham
James Williams, Waterlooville
Sam Bicknell, Midhurst
Ryan Bicknell, Midhurst
Oliver Boulton, Petworth
Nick Draper, Abington
Robert Abraham, St. Neots
Darren Langridge, Fareham
Adam White, North Baddesley
Gareth Haase, Southampton
Matthew Hunt, Southampton
John Cameron, By Ohan
Rhys Dandeker-Bourne, Worthing
Dominic Thomson, Bathgate
Jeremy Feltham, Aldershot
Simon Birkumshaw, Chelmsford
Andrew Borthwick, Seaham
Samuel Longley, Scarborough
Martin Barnett, Winkleigh
David Chilvers, Ipswich
George Butler, Aylesbury
Harry Butler, Aylesbury
Christopher Higman, Plymouth
Joshua Gilman, Basingstoke
Katherine Sanders, Porchfield Lo.W.
Elizabeth Sanders, Porchfield Lo.W.
Joseph Ambrose, Taunton
Edward Ronayne, Nr Lewisham
Alexi Cole, Monmouth
Edward Cole, Monmouth
Frankie Cole, Monmouth
Georgina Davies, Monmouth
Samuel Webb, Bath
James Ridge, Brentwood
Sam Ridge, Brentwood
Amy Brighty, Newmarket
Emily Brighty, Newmarket
Rachel Brighty, Newmarket
Martin Riby, Corsham
Michael Patterson, Aylesbury
Joe Butcher, Enfield
Tomas Capewell, Charmouth
Jonathan Pinnock, Thatcham
Raynor Goodwin, Caterham-on-TheHill
Daniel Hoffman, Yeovil
Aron Day, Swindon
Daniel Hambly, Truro
Jessica Middlemiss, Godmanchester
Peter French, Halland
Felix Adams, Minehead
Monet Adams, Minehead
Dan Dyer, Folkestone
Vivienne Foord, N ewhaven
Hayley Foord, N ewhaven
Na than Riby, Corsham
Lewis Marshall-Saunders, Henlow
Thomas Brunyee, Parkstone
Peter Myerson, Attleborough
Adrian Knight, Wokingham
Ashley Miller, Ottery St. Mary
EVEN MORE COBB!
George Humble-Smith, U plyme
John Haines, Marlborough
Shea Winstanley, Poole
John Amos, Salisbury
Robert Brisley, Ashford
Tom Gill, Par
Sophie Peters, Gt. Missenden
Krystina Hill, Pewsey
James Buckland, Towcester
Arron Birks, Eastbourne
Benjamin Ellis, Chiddingfold
Thomas Lite, Watchet
Rowan Tucker, Chew Stoke
James Goble, Godalming
Luke Shaw, Edmonton
Chris Lowe, Totton
Angharad Mathews, U sk
Noel Willis, Wigan
Maximilian Sonneborn, Germany
Leonard Sonneborn, Germany
Daniel Corderoy, Paignton
Laura Chaffer, Storrington
Laura Dempster, Southampton
Martin Fear, Weston-Super-Mare
Kieran Brown, Amesbury
We conclude the story 'Go North Young Man' from the pen of Neil Cobb - see the last two issues of Raising Steam.
Sunday morning and up with the lark -well by 9.30am, as I stepped out of the caravan David greeted me with "good morning Neil, Yeast and Brasso".
Yeast and Brasso! Yeast and Brasso! what does he mean humm!!! oh! "RISE AND SHINE", I walk over to the Aveling, Bernard had already taken the sheets off, so I started by cleaning the footplate brasses (always clean the bits that get hot first and in the case of water gauge fittings and paintwork near the firehole door apply a little machine oil, it stops soot sticking and prevents tarnishing of the brass. It also stops the owner getting upset). Bernard had already damped the ashes and cleaned the firebox of yesterdays fire. I enquired "are you going to sweep the tubes". Avelings are notorious for the tubes sooting up. "What for" came the reply "to get the soot out of them" I replied. If you burn the coal properly there won't be any soot in them, will there? came the answer. "No" said I. Then what do you want to sweep them for? OK so we didn't sweep the tubes. So on instruction I lit the fire.
Meanwhile Andrew, David and John were sorting out the Ransomes, as John threw the third bucket of water in the ashpan a voice said, "why are they
doing that,?" "It's to stop the dust from the ash pan blowing into the gearing, or the engine next door, or more importantly still, getting in the operators eyes". OH! said my enquirer. But doesn't it rot the ashpan prematurely, and make other engine owners think you have got a leak in there?" Not really because the fire will be lit soon and that will dry off the ash pan quickly, and anyway ashpans are cheap and easy to replace, your eyes and the gear train are not, just imagine the damage the flyash can do in either case. As for other engine owners, well they either know or will learn sooner or later, probably after a visit to the hospital. I was then told "that's the sort of good answer I expect from our next generation of steam men" and with that the gentleman took his leave. Who he was I haven't a clue but I'm pretty sure he was someone from the NTET or Steam Apprentice Club.
Meanwhile next door the other way "Buster" was being unsheeted by Graham and Tim (the owners father and brother). Until this point I hadn't met Tim, I had only met Graham, Betty and Tess. Tim was busy cleaning the engine whilst Graham lit the fire.
It turned out that the owner (Chris) and girlfriend had to help install the public address system and were unable to tend their exhibit. Tim seemed to think that it was because the engine was so dirty because it had come on the road that they wanted someone else to clean it, whichever it was after a couple of hours of Tim power Buster positively shone.
By 12.00 the sun was high and both the Aveling and Ransomes were nicely in steam when another person, nay local celebrity, dropped in on the scene, Planty, Mr Wright Plant his opening statement was, "Oh yor gunna put yon enjon on't drum er, wot" The answer was "after the grand parable, that, be OK?" Arr, Arr, that'll be rey't 11getn she'ert offn it nawe. Rough translation. Are you going to put the engine on the threshing machine, (answer yes) right I will go and take the drum sheet offl
I meanwhile did several trips with the Aveling, to fetch water, to roll the grass, to burn some coal, literally any excuse just to go for a ride round. After the usual grand parade, a 1 minute silence was held for Stuart Woodbine.
Stuart was one of the early preservationists to start and repair boilers for fellow enthusiasts building a huge reputation for his traditionally repaired and rebuilt boilers. In fact I am told that a Woodbine Sentinel pressed firebox, was indistinguishable from a Sentinel's own replacement firebox, such was his skill.
After the other obligatory ring events, musical chairs, drum majorettes etc, the Ransomes was handed over to Planty, who deftly put the engine up to his Ransomes threshing machine in one shunt and that was to get the belt length, as I said to John "you can tell he's done it before"? ''Yep for almost 70 years, he started on a threshing set when he was 14, and he's turned 80 now."
The day was unbearably hot and I wasn't too sad when evening came and it started to cool down a little .. I took the roller for a good long run round.
If all piston valve compound engines (Avelings) are as good as this one I really must have one to stand next to my Garratt 4CD Tractor.
I took the roller via the beer tent, (shandy was the order of the day) and it was here that I met Ben -and Andrew -who are also Steam Apprentice Club
members, they crew the amazing Freds engine Robin Hood, a very neat Foster, Wellington Showmans Tractor. After returning the roller to its stand and sheeting up, evening meal was eaten, this followed by pot washing. Andrew and I retired to the beer tent whilst mum and dad went for a romantic evening walk in the woods! ooh!. Many things were talked of in the beer tent between the raffle, beer, disco, beer, hot dogs and beer and not only that but I witnessed a miracle, the equivalent of .the parting of the Red Sea, Andrew got his, yes his wallet out and bought us all a drink, mind you I did hear dad say to mum, "I bet that comes off your next weeks board money". So Sunday night passed. Monday morning came and with it the usual round of cleaning and polishing. Either side of us the Wrights and Keetons must have had a good time a.s there were beer cans all over the place. Graham arrived in the pick up (he's a milkman) and had to go home Sunday night in order to deliver Monday morning's milk. After cleaning the engine I gave Graham a hand to unsheet Buster and to pick up the empty tins around the place. I must admit I agree with Graham it is totally irresponsible to leave empty cans all over the place. The next job was the ritual coal bagging, what a grimy dusty job, we bagged up 16 bags and filled the engines coal bunker, 12 bags were put on Graham's milk float to go back to the shed. 4 bags being kept back to take the Ransomes engine by road to Planty's yard 20 miles away (Oh how I wish I could go with them).
Presently the steward came round and said 10 minutes and Grand Parade. There were some pretty frantic actions from some engine owners especially one Wallis advance roller, which disappeared under a huge pawl of smoke as ½ cwt of coal was piled on the fire and the blower wound wide open, the smoke must have been visible for miles, it was!! Next thing a bloomin fire engine turned up, sirens and lights, the whole lot going, the crew were very embarrassed as it was explained to them that steam engines did this sort of thing sometimes.
Once in the arena another surprise, Messrs Carr Bro's Ransomes, No. 27596 had won the best engine cup. John turned to me and said "that's with your Andrew cleaning the darn thing", Mr Plant, Chairman of O.N.K.A. said, over the public address, that he "had seen that engine over the last few years steadily get better and better each year, and having driven it many miles himself was sure that the Carr Bros were worthy recipients of the trophy". Looking later at the cup I pointed out that you've won this once before in 1971, "Oh yes", replied David "It was when our John painted and lined the Aveling Roller, it's those coloured lines you know they attract pots and plaques". With Andrew driving, John steering and me holding the cup the Ransomes trundled triumphantly out of the arena. After a spell on the threshing machine Dad came over and reminded Andy and I that it was about time to start packing up to go home, "ugh!" I went for an extended last trundle with the Aveling and then pleaded with dad to abandon the caravan and take the roller back instead, but he didn't think the Shogun could do it, "faint hearted", I told him it should have been a Land Rover."
It was with great regret that we left Nottinghamshire but as Andy said "look Neil, in 16 weeks they'll all be coming down to see us at The Great Dorset" my reply was "I know that but they won't be bringing MY Aveling Roller with them though!!!
Dear Editor
I have worked and been on steam engines since I was three. I have been a • Steam Apprentice since I was six.
I am very fortunate in being able to go with my Dad and Grandad to help look after and drive Mr Joyce's engines which include a 1931 Foster threshing engine, the 1926 Aveling & Porter 10 ton steam roller and the 1916 ex Pat Collins Fowler B6 Showman's Engine. We took Valiant, the Showman's Engine, to Old Warden Rally recently and we generated electricity for Mr Bill Runt's large Marenghi organ. The organ was originally owned by Pat Collins and was part of his scenic railway ride that Valiant used to take around in the 1920s-1950s.
My Dad and Mr Hunt decided that it must be at least sixty years since Valiant and Wonderland last worked together.
I would also like to thank Mr Brian Welti of the Shuttleworth Trust for allowing me to raise steam on the Trust's Clayton & Shuttleworth engine.
I also enclose a photograph of myself with Valiant.
Yours Sincerely
David Freeman (age
11)
