Club Summer BBQ

As Chairman of the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club, I am proud to present a selection of photographs I took on Saturday 28th May on the occasion of our club's Summer BBQ held once again by kind permission of Maurice Allely, founder of the family business of Allelys Group Specialist and Heavy Haulage.

Haydon Way Farm just outside Studley in Warwickshire is owned by the Allely's Group and is still a working farm. Maurice has a superb collection of vintage tractors and other vehicular memorabilia, and gets every thing our for this weekend. All but two are starters! Furthermore every one of these tractors, vehicles, threshing box and living van are kept under cover well out of the worst of the weather.

Here we see some of the restored collection of early vehicles (not the 'Green Goddess') used by Maurice in the early days of the business.

This fine example of an early circa 1950's Thornycroft has just been recently restored. I witnessed this lorry in the Allely's workshop very early and was in a sorry state. The restoration is stunning to say the least.

It is set up time at the BBQ before the hordes of visitors descend upon us.


The next group of photos I took from the roof of Maurice's workshop of the display of vehicle memorabilia.

The arrival of Paul Davis and Miles Banks with the Burrell road locomotive and trailer and restored living van in tow.
Notice the Burrell blowing its tits off!

The cool evening air begins to descend upon the festivities. A small selection of us stopped over for the evening to ensure all alcohol was consumed. Good thing I took the caravan for me to sleep in.

Nottingham County Show

Last weekend, the 14th & 15th May at the Newark Showground I attended the Nottinghamshire County Show in order to promote our club and forthcoming Vintage Gathering.

A blustery weekend it was, but I did manage to get round with the Nikon D90 and take some pictures for your enjoyment.

This tractor, an Allis 'B' belongs to Mr Chris Alcock a member of the Notts Group NVTEC. In the background you will see my caravan with awning display next to the Notts Group display caravan.

A lovely combination of a Scammel Showtrac with 1950's showman's living van in tow.

An early Bedford flatbed circa 1950's with a John Deer in transit.

A fine example of a Savages built steam Gallopers. Not sure of the date of manufacture, but now owned and fully restored by the Howard Brothers. And yes it was in steam complete with organ playing on the centre truck.

Amongst the classic and vintage car section I found this fine example of an early Alvis, originally built in Coventry.

Country and rural working displays are always well worth watching. This is a steam driven rack saw.

Now I did not find our too much about this exhibit, but it looks like an early Vauxhall behind, beige colour with typical fluted bonnet, but the foreground I think is an Austin with period caravan in tow. About the 1930's.

This is the view from my caravan awning.

A very early Massey-Harris row crop with spade rear wheels.

Washwood Heath in Birmingham in those days was very productive, this Wolesey is a wonderful example of Midlands car manufacturing in those days.

Now a Coventry produced car, a Jaguar. The electric cable has nothing to do with the car, it was running form power source to a marquee.

Now a selection of classic and vintage commercials. This vehicle is an AEC from the 1950's.

A very early Bedford, date unknown.

Another Bedford of circa 1950's. There was no beer on board sadly!!

This car won Best in Show award.

Of course there is the livestock. This was judging time in the main parade ring.

And finally, what a lovely scene, the heavy horses. I can watch these all day long, they are so beautiful.

Steam Excursions

A4 Pacific locomotive 60019 'Bittern' 4-6-2 built in December 1937 on a steam excursion from York to Stratford on Avon on Thursday 12th May.

The run is approaching Henley in Arden in leafy Warwickshire just after 2pm.

In the winter of 2010/2011 the locomotive was repainted in LNER Garter Blue and renamed 'Dominion of New Zealand' 4492.

This loco was sadly scrapped.

I was the lone photographer at this location and the driver acknowledged my presence with a blast on the typical Pacific A4 harmonic whistle. Wonderful, just wonderful.

National Traction Engine Trust - Training Weekend

The weekend of 7th and 8th May at the premises of S.E. Davis and Son, Astwood Bank, the National Traction Engine Trust hold one of several driver training courses for budding apprentices for the traction engine preservation movement. So many of these engines and owners that weekend I personally know from previous events. Sadly I could only attend on Saturday as a visitor, although strictly speaking all crew with the exception of qualified engine men should stand down and let the apprentices 'do the work'. This scheme attracts qualifiers for the course of all ages and it is wonderful to witness youngsters such as this 13 year old to this craft. Without such enthusiasm, this hobby would cease.

This young man is aboard the footplate of Michael Davies's Fowler road locomotive. I crewed/steered this locomotive with Paul Davis as the driver a couple of years ago from Astwood Bank to Warwick Market Square for the annual Christmas Victorian Evening.

Guy Deebes from Derbyshire with his Fowler single cylinder ploughing engine climbing the bank at Astwood Bank, complete with apprentice.

'Peglar' at the same location with young crew training.

Michael Davies's Fowler once again but this time on 'the bank'

Paul Davis with the Burrell engine on 'the bank' with a trainee.

Foster engine 'Sprig' on 'the bank' at Astwood Bank.

Mark Jones with 'Linkey'. A Fowler of Leeds ploughing engine.

For those who travel the steam rally scene, visualise of Fowler road roller, 'Jessica' as she was. This is the same engine now. Darren Wardell accompanied by Fiona Lyon dismantling the engine for major works to commence. A large wallet is required for this task.

Guy Deebes with apprentice negotiate a gate way at S.E. Davis's.

'Sprig', a Foster engine climbing 'the bank'.