Great Dorset Steam Fair

Sorry folks. I have been away again in Devon. There will be no update to the blog until I have returned from the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Updates due from W/C 6th September.

Morwellham Quay

Recently, both me and Matt Bisp spent a few days in Devon at our usual camp site at Berry Head, Brixham.

We decided one day to visit the Copper Mine, now under preservation at Morwellham Quay at the top end of the Taymar. I personally found this a wonderful experience and is well worthy of a visit. You also experience a visit to part of the mine now open to visitors. The small train, fully caged in order to protect you from potential failing rock.

The mine is on the Devon side of the river, which is fully navigable to the sea at Plymouth.
The other bank on the opposite side is Cornwall.

During our visit we also drove further down towards Plymouth where the river is wider and had to be crossed by various means, including I. K Brunell's railway bridge, now 150 years old this year.

This bridge originally carried Brunell's broad gauge railway into Cornwall.

This photo is looking towards Saltash in Cornwall. The Royal Albert Bridge

This next selection of photographs are of the Morwellham Quay facilities as restored to date. Further restoration is on going.

The interior of the local shop

The now restored giant water wheel

The forge and workshop

Yes, well folk died early in those days

Cottage accommodation, looking towards the water wheel

This is the type of vessel used to transport the copper ore. The river is not navigable from this point further north for this type of ship.

Trimpley Vintage Show

On Sunday 1st August I visited the Trimpley Vintage Show. This is a one day event and I went as a guest of the Bisp family, who took the Wheel Horse and Ford 1200 tractors for display.

Set in rural Shropshire, this is a lovely little show that was well attended.

There was very little steam, but the event was well attended by a lovely selection of vintage and classic cars. The tractor section was small but interesting.

Here are some photos I took, and leave for your enjoyment.

Welland Steam Rally 2010

Welland Steam Rally, a three day event was held on 23rd, 24th, and 25th July in the foothills of The Malvern's. This is a magnificent show organised by the Ross on Wye Steam Preservation Society. The weather was kind and the vast number of visitors enjoyed the exhibits, stalls and amusements provided. Here are just some of the photos I took over these days.

A general view taken from the Big Wheel with the Malvern Hills in the distance.

Another view from the Big Wheel looking down at some of the Showman's engines. There were some 17 showman's engines exhibiting this year.
A motley crew indeed on the cultivator. Mark Jones (in white) with 'Spit' and Rory from Somerset who crew fro Fred Thomas's ploughing engine.

A very rural scene, typical of the 1950's.

Saturday morning preparation of ploughing engines, Chris Beale aboard 'Linkey' with Fred Thomas's engine behind.

Another very rural scene, typical of the 1950's. Nuffield complete with binder.

Arrival of Fred Thomas's engine on Friday evening, aboard in Chris Beale with Nathan Thomas.

Evening cool down outside Mark Jones's camp.

Stourport on Severn 6th Steam Rally

The 6th Stourport on Severn Steam Rally was held at Coney Green Farm, Stourport on the weekend of 10th and 11th July 2010, hosted by Steve Crump and his family, aided by a number of his friends and associates. The weather was kind this year and there were plenty of exhibits and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Well done to Steve, Pat and George Crump.

Here is a selection of photos for you to enjoy.

A Display in the ring of heavy horses.

This is 'Little Daz' crewing for the showman's locomotive. Explaining to a small boy the principles of steam.

Heavy Horses in the parade ring.

The line up of steam exhibits in the parade ring.

A couple of steam exhibits.

Here is a small selection of period caravans.

This is the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club Stand that I exhibited with the help and assistance of Matty Bisp amd his family. The 1966 Ford 2000 Dexta belongs to me, whilst the two smaller tractors, a Wheelhorse and the International Cub belong to Matt Bisp.

Plant pots supplied by Ann Bisp the club's membership secretary and chef!

Dr. Busker @ the Annual Vintage Gathering at Astwood Bank

On the Saturday evening 12th June at the Astwood Bank Vintage Gathering held at S.E. Davis and Son, Dr. Busker and friends entertained us in the beer tent, and a good time was had by all. Dr. Busker has made some recent purchases of vintage cycles, and the one you see below featured with Fowler Ploughing Engine 'Linkey' are of the same era, circa mid 1900's. It is possible that bicycles like that were used by employees in their daily commute to work at Fowlers of Leeds.

Photos courtesy of Chris Beale (Maggot)

Photos courtesy of Matty Bisp.

Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally July 2010 part2

On Sunday 4th July I spent some time alone looking round the event, Chris was looking after the engine with his new friend!

Here is a selection from the tractor section.

Chainsaw wood carving was an interesting demonstration, 'Simples'.

Now this I found very interesting, a Rolls Royce Merlin 500 aircraft engine. Designed for the Lancaster Bomber, but this one never did get that far and ended up in Spain for civilian work.

They run the engines up and ideally you need ear and eye protection, but I did not so who gives a shit! The noise was thunderous!

At this event they have tractor pulling, but also garden/horticultural tractors have a go with a mini sledge. Its for kids but they do enjoy it.