Welland

Amongst the various activities at Welland was the operation of a vintage cultivator via two steam ploughing engines.

Once again Fowler, 1916 K7 engine 'Linkey' was steamed up for action.

Chris Beale and me both attended to the engine all weekend, and we had a good time.

The other engine, also a K7 1919, from Nailsea, just south of Bristol and owned by Fred Thomas was crewed by his family, daughter Kim and son Nathan. His friend 'Spit' was also in attendance. Kim is a charming young lady in her teens and can handle the engine very well. Now Nathan has come on well. For a lad of 14 he has learnt a lot in the last year, and I have every confidence that he will make a good engine operator.

I personally felt more confident on 'Linkey' this time and at times was left alone.

Now for those who perhaps do not fully understand the principle of steam ploughing or cultivation, let me explain. You need two fully steamed up ploughing engines. Each engine has a length of wire rope on a drum slung underneath the boiler. The implement is attached and an operator found to travel on the implement, keeping it under control by steering. The engine operators use a whistle signal system to keep in touch and maintain movement. Two whistles from the far engine indicates they are ready and your engine commences pulling. If you here one long whistle, you must stop immediately, there is a problem. In many cases you can see the other engine, but sometimes you cannot, then you really do have to rely on the whistle signals.

When you give two signals to 'pay out', you must ensure that pressure is maintained. Check the fire, put some coal on if required, check the water level in the boiler, without which she will blow up! You are continually working and must be aware of many aspects of the engines operation.

I have broad brushed this statement, and no doubt somebody will criticize my dialogue.

Welland

Near disaster on Saturday night at Welland.

Whilst we were enjoying the fruits of a fine summer evening BBQ and beer, suddenly a cry went out from Little Daz shouting 'there's a fire under the living van'

It was the gas fridge that caught fire. Big Dazza launched himself towards the living van, demolishing all in his path in order to extinguish the flames. The gas cylinder was turned off immediately. What would the consequences be should we had not been there or even if it caught light whilst Dazza and Fiona were asleep. I dread to think.

Anyway all was well and the beer recovered!!

Dazza sustained some minor injuries from slipping on the rock hard ground, but amongst our guests was an A & E nurse who attended to the wounded.

Welland

At some steam rallies the organisers add to the ambiance by recreating the atmosphere of various working activities from the past. Road making is one such activity.

For the first time at Welland, 'Big Dazza' and his crew were invited to recreate road making from long, long ago. Note the red and white poles and lamps. It is planned to continue this activity for the next foreseeable shows.

The crew of 'Big Dazza'; 'Little Daz', and 'Maggot' (Christopher Beale) looking down the road for inspiration, and also the building up traffic chaos they have caused.

You are no doubt wondering where I fit in. Drinking beer, and other numerous alcoholic beverages and eating. No seriously road making was not the only activity.

I was involved with the Fowler ploughing engine, 'Linkey' with Chris Beale and that will come in the next posting.

Welland Steam and Country Show

Yet another steam rally spoilt by the great British summer that we were promised by those imbeciles at the Met Office, we did not have.
Anyway I arrived last Wednesday and joined up with 'Big Dazza', Fiona and 'Little Daz' at their camp in the road making section.
'Big Dazza' roads from Astwood Bank a Fowler road roller;, living van; trailer and Land Rover all in tow. Guaranteed a clear road ahead; shed loads behind, all moaning toss pots.
Anyway there we are drinking beer and chilling our ready for much merriment later at the weekend.

Welland

Today I shall be travelling to yet another steam rally, this time at Welland, near Malvern in Worcestershire. It is a fantastic show and well worth the visit. A vast number of exhibitors, vintage stuff, steam, vintage funfair, tractor pulling etc etc.
It is a 3 day show on July 24/25/26th.
I suspect the ground conditions will be poor, but the Met office have said that there will be an improvement by the weekend.
There will be no further posting until Monday 27th July.

Somerset Steam Spectacular - part two

Well what a weekend. I do feel sorry for any outdoor event organisers, the great English climate in crap. Those idiots in the Met. Office several weeks ago stated that we are going to have a long hot dry summer, what bollocks!

They are obviously run by students that know nothing about anything.

Anyway we got there late Friday evening, that is Mark Jones driving the Mack unit with low loader and ploughing, his passenger was Chris Beale with me following behind with caravan and Land Rover Discovery. We collected the unit from Heddington in Wiltshire then proceeded to make out way through the network of archaic roads and arrive at our destination about 10.00pm. We set up camp, had some chips and a beer then went to bed.

The next day was OK, and we got the ploughing engine off the loader and drive her into the ploughing field. Two other engine followed down, but not a lot was done because the plough was late in arrival. Anyway finally it arrived and a little plough was done. We did not have that much rain on Saturday. However Sunday was not so good. We did a little work again then it was time to attempt to pack up.

Now the caravan was not so bad and I was able to get out of the bottom field and wait, but first we had to load the ploughing engine.

With 'spuds' on the nearside rear wheel, (now 'spuds' are a device you bolt onto the wheel to give you extra grip in shit hole conditions) we drove slowly back up the field to load up. Chris was driving and me steering. Now this was an experience for both of us, you really do have to see it to believe it trying to drive and negotiate a ploughing engine in goo like condition. She was slipping and sliding all over the place. Finally we got her to the low loader but because the conditions were so bad there was a danger that she would slip off either the ramps or even the trailer. The only sensible answer was to winch her on and that we did to great relief. After that the Mack unit was winched into position and she finally left the rally field about 7.00pm. I got home about 11.00pm and after a shave and a shower got to bed at midnight.

Have a look at these photos, all of 'Linkey' and not only admire the rural English country side but take a look at the engine's motion. The credit for that photo is Chris Beale who nicked my camera.

Somerset Steam Spectacular - part one

Well this coming weekend I shall be attending the Somerset Steam Spectacular at Langport.

On Friday afternoon I shall collect Mark Jones at Astwood Bank, then onto Little Comberton to pick up Christopher Beale.

We shall travel through Wiltshire to Heddington and Stockley and collect 'the unit'. That is the Mack and 'Linkey'.

This event we shall be working the engine with others in a field dedicated to steam and vintage ploughing.

Photograph from last year with 'Linkey' being cleaned by Chris and the Mack in the back round.

Briar days

Now in the 1980's I became closely affiliated to a local Birmingham based rock band by the name of 'Briar'. Managed by George Bond, the four piece outfit of Dean Cook (drums); Dave Fletcher (guitar and backing vocals); Kevin Griffiths (main vocals); and Darren Underwood (guitar and backing vocals) were to be seen and heard in a number of Birmingham venues. However, every Sunday night at The Railway in Curzon Street, Birmingham the boys performed to a packed house.

George worked tirelessly to promote these boys and a measure of success was achieved, but sadly the final push to the big time never really materialised. However a lot was learned, and a number of important contacts where made.

I took several photographs of the band over the years and the one published here was taken at The Railway, date unknown.

We had some very good times and have load of memories and photos to go with it. I think one of the most memorable is the time we had a gig in Wigan or Warrington, cant quite remember, so the journey was planned and the equipment was to go in one vehicle and the band in the other. Now in those days George employed the services of a lighting engineer by the name of Maz (he with the wife with a pink coat). Now Maz was still learning to drive and was determined to take the convoy up to the north with me as the qualified driver. After several kangaroo starts and snail like progress out of Birmingham, Maz decided that it was not a good idea and would I like to drive. The occupants of the vehicle behind (the band) on realising that we were swapping over and going to use the M6 burst into hysterical applause and laughter realising that at last they would gig that night.

From the Briar days, I too decided to attempt management with a four piece band called 'Shotgun Wedding', but that's a story for another time.

George, Dean and me keep in touch still, and I always make it a special journey to visit them at Christmas. I usually bear gifts including whiskey to George, but I never see him open it in front of me! You can catch up with all the Briar stuff and other on www.shotguncharlie.co.uk

Fantasy Art

Now for something completely different.

A few years ago when living in Solihull I attached myself to one or two bands from the West Midlands.

My friend and colleague Sean O'Shaugnessy teamed up with me to take photographs of local Midlands based bands, one of which was 'Magnum'

Now most of the art work on their album cover was done by a guy named Rodney Matthews, a stunning fantasy artist. There is an appeal to me for this style of art form and this example is from Magnum's 'A Story Tellers Night'

Keep reading this blog because there is more to come regarding my association with bands from the Midlands.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

I told you that I have a devoted passion for railways, steam in particular.

I have visited a number a preserved steam railways, and my vote goes to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway between Pickering and Grosmont, then on to Whitby via the main line. All locomotives using the Whitby link have to comply with current regulations and have a 'ticket' approved by Network Rail. For those who are not fully aware the NYMR features on TV's Heatbeat with Grosmont station as Haidensfield. But my favorite location is Levisham. This station or halt is situated deep in the heart of the valley and has largely been untouch since it was built in the early 1900's. To sit and wait, then here the whistle of an oncoming service from Pickering echoing round the valley just brings goose bumps, it is really moving.

Amongst other services I have used are Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway, the Swanage Railway and The Great Central. The Severn Valley Railway I am not keen on; far to commercialised. They really do think they are the tops, no way!

The photo is Levisham with an approaching A4 Pacific locomotive, 'Sir Nigel Gresley'

If I had my way I would move to Levisham, there is a pair of old station cottages opposite the signal box, just before you move into Forestry Commission Land.

Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally

On the weekend of 4th and 5th July I attended with Christopher Beale and Mark Jones, owner of the 1916 built Fowler ploughing engine. This was a static display only with just an allocated time in the ring schedule for all steam engines to parade for several minutes.

There were some interesting steam exhibits on display this year at a well organised steam event.

Michael Davis from Avon Dassett was also present with his Fowler ploughing engine, and Michael and crew member Richard joined us for a beer and BBQ on Saturday night before retiring to the Ivy public house located by the exhibitor entrance.

The photographs are Waggy with Chris by the engine and Waggy at the controls driving the engine into the ring with Chris steering.

Bloxham Steam Rally

Its now Monday 13th July. My main task in this blog is to bring an understanding to what I do and publish, promote the vehicle preservation movement.

There are a number of characters on the rally field that very much add to the ambience of the event. consumption of alchohol and entertainment is the usual order of the evening activities. Many rallies we go to will have a variety of entertainers from Irish, country, rock-n-roll to heavy metal, but you are not at a rally until you are entertained by Dr. Busker and his friends, sometimes the Dorset Rats and sometimes the Revolting Peasants or a combination of all.

The two photos taken at the Bloxham Steam Rally on 27th June 2009 are of Jackie Jordon with Waggy and the other is Doc Bones, Waggy, and Chris Beale (Maggot) Both Jackie and Doc Bones are part of 'Victoriana'

Welcome

To all those who may stumble across this diatribe of a blog, you are periously close to the abyss of intelligence.

On a more serious note, I intend to expand over the period of this blog my passionate beliefs in many subjects and opportunities. You will come to understand my nature as time goes by.

I will however use this facility to promote my hobby and passion, which is preservation of OUR heritage. Whilst we cannot stand in the way of progess, we must never forget the past and our historical treasures.

I do own two vintage tractors, a Ford 2000 Pre-Force built in 1966 at Baslidon, Essex, and a Nuffield 3/45 which is still under restoration. This is a 1967 built tractor from Bathgate in Scotland.

I am currently Chairman of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club and also Chairman of the North Worcestershire Group within the National.

But my greatest passion is for steam motive power. I am a great admirer of Victorian and Edwardian engineering skills. Isambard Kindom Brunel is an engineer that I also greatly admire.

Railways, canals, bridges, tunnels, cuttings and other construction examples, together with the locomotives and other steam motive methods were all designed and built without the aid a computer. It was heavy hard work, men died or were severely injured during these days. No Health and Safety breathing down you neck. Long dark hours of toil during the industrial revolution built this country to what it was. Now look at us, almost a third world nation!

Over the years, developement has forced upon us many changes. The internal cumbustion engine has rapidly disposed of earlier methods of manufacture, agriculture and conveyance.

Man has the ability to develope and create new inventions. Science is a knowledge that sadly I have not got, but where will it lead us? Populations are increasing worldwide, we shall all need feeding. Water will run out in many parts of the world. The climate is changing, although in this country it is always a conversation topic.

Governments will come and go, and the sooner the better for this mob and the menace of Gordon Brown. However, governmental, no sorry, EU policies decide our future now and what a poor assembled lot of buffoons they are.

However, in there defence, it must be difficult without the presence of a clairvoyance to predict the future. The future most always be planned for in all departments. Now when it comes to transportaion, none of them have a clue. Conjestion is a menace, parking is impossible. Now to me it does not need rocket science to create a 'ball park' estimate of future transport needs.

Lets look at the average household. 2 + 2. OK the old man has a car, possibly a company car lets say. The good lady of the house, yes you know the one, she who must be obeyed also has a car, then there are the kids, they grow up, pass the driving tests and guess what, go out and buy a car each. So we now have a situation where the family home drive way just holds two cars, and we now have potentially two cars in the street, outside the house. The offspring may also decide to go to university, thats after they've had a gap year of course, so their car now goes to the university location.

Get a grip people, multiply this by many over the entire United Kingdom and we have a time bomb.

Those in authority must not dily daly and fart about debating cost cutting, we must create a public transport system to be proud of. Rebuild the railways, open up some of Beechings disused lines, demolish all those premises that have been built on the disgarded track beds and permanent ways and move the country once again by rail. Its simple but effective. What numbskull and imbecile agreed to property being built on old trackbeds, it now makes it harder to reopen many lines. Are we complete idiots within these shores.

Now I have effectivley turned folks away from this site, I will finish for now and have a coffee.

But the principle of this blog is National Heritage of motive power. I shall also cover many events and meetings I attend just to bore you further.