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Barleylands 2008 The 22nd Essex County Show was held on September 13th and 14th at Barleylands, Billericay, Essex and fine weather over the weekend welcomed the many thousands of visitors to this popular event. Over 60 full sized engines and almost the same number of models ensured that steam enthusiasts were well catered for. Following are some of the engines that were to be seen. Click on the picture to see a larger version.
	1927 Burrell Tractor no. 4072 "Tinkerbell", owned and driven by Ron Walker of Stanmore.
This 1919 Wallis & Steevens "Eileen the Erring", No.7683, is shown coupled to the Ransomes threshing drum which was purchased new in 1949 by the grandfather of Steven White of Ockendon, who now owns it. The engine belongs to Ray Osborne of Chadwell St. Mary's and it is maintained and driven by Mick Ashdown and his son, Colin, who is shown operating it.
	Paul Brown's (of Braintree, Essex) 1913 showman's Fowler, no. 12905
1914 Clayton and Shuttleworth DUSTY. Owner and driver F Titmarsh of Wickford.
	1921 A & P JOHN HAMPDON no 10399. Owner / driver Colin Hazlehurst of Rochester
1925 Wallis and Steevens Steam roller no 7907. Owned and driven by Alan Brice of Sellindge, Kent. This roller was new to Henry Woodham and Son of Catford , Kent, who was a road contractor and the roller was working up until c 1960. Alan bought it about ten years ago and then stripped and re built it. Beside the roller is a Foden steam lorry (half size), built in 1996 reg. no R702 DGN, 1.5 ton owned by Roberta and Oliver Brice of Sellindge. Oliver is on the right hand side of the picture.
	Some of the models on show and leading is a 3" Burrell model traction engine owned by Derek Riley.
Mike Kettle's Burrell built in 1921 no 3882, with J Lawley's German built c 1900 horizontal frame saw.
	1914 Fowler Challenger no 13600 towing a 1912 Fowler no12754 Nightmare.
SPANKER HAS ITS FIRST RALLY AFTER A RECENT REFURBISHMENT Club member Alan White of Great Leighs, near Chelmsford, took his Burrell engine ”Spanker” to the 22nd Essex Country Show, held at Barleylands, Billericay, Essex, on September 13/14th 2008. For almost the last three years “Spanker” had been with Mervyn Mayes at Yaxham in Norfolk, having boiler repairs carried out and a new fire box fitted. This was the first rally that this engine had attended since before the refurbishing had started. “Spanker” was built at Thetford, Norfolk, as a showman’s engine, although without the twisted brasswork, but it did have a belly tank and was painted green with cream wheels. Its build was completed in August 26th 1892 and it was delivered to Nephi Ashton, a steam circus proprietor of Hull. A few years later it was returned to Thetford and had its belly tank removed and it was sold, in October 1898, to George Bartrupt of Ford End, near Chelmsford. It was the first self propelled engine that he had owned, previously using portables for his work. In 1921 George sold “Spanker” to his nephew, William White, a threshing contractor of Latchingdon, who was Alan White’s grandfather. In 1926 William moved from Latchingdon to Great Leighs and carried on his threshing business from there. In due course the business became White Bros. and Alan’s father, Jim White, became the main driver of “Spanker”. In 1949 it became redundant and stood derelict, although well covered, until 1956. At that stage Jim had “Spanker” valued by George Thurlow and bought it to keep in preservation and then steamed it to its first rally, at Stisted.
	The 1869 Fowler /Burrell Ploughing Engine No. 1050 owned by Richard Pierce of Hadlow Kent. It was attending its first rally since going out of commission in 2001 for refurbishment, including fitting a new fire box, barrel and throat plate and renewing part of the backhead.
Duncan Marston giving a commentary as engines come into the ring. He is talking about a 6" DENNIS Type N Fire engine owned by I and Y Barber.
	The 1919 Fowler Ploughing engine "Lady Jane" no. 15334 owned by Bill Kemball of Wantisden Valley. The driver is M Armstrong.
The Fowler Road Locomotive "Endeavour" built in 1920 no. 14754. The owner drivers are W and R Pierce of Hadlow, Kent.
	These two machines are operating in the Roadmaking - Demonstration and Display area. The steam roller is a Wallis and Steevens built in 1925 owned and driven by Allan Brice of Sellindge, Kent. The Bristol Crawler was built in 1950 and is a 4 ton PD52 Overloader and is owned by Frank Wood of Stanford - le -Hope.
Also operating in the same area is this 1969 International bulldozer weighing 6 tons. Engine no. 5247, it is owned and driven by Alan Clements of Dunmow, Essex.
	The 1914 Fowler Traction engine no. 13600 "Challenger" is towing the 1912 Fowler Road Locomotive no. 12754 "Nightmare". "Challenger" is owned by Alan Bygrave - Jones of Kent and is driven by Martin Jones and "Nightmare" belongs to Roy Chapman of Little Burstead, Essex.

The Annual Dinner Dance

Michael Pumfrey

82 members and friends gathered once again at Whittlesford on October 23rd for our very popular annual Dinner Dance. Poppies Catering provided a splendid three course meal and dancing was to the music of "All of a Sudden". This year's guest speaker was Vern Smith. As well a a long involvement with rail steam at the North Yorks Moors Railway, including driving the "Hogwarts Express", Vern is remarkable in that he, along with is wife Viv and son Vern Jnr., operates the only steam bus in commercial service - the Sentine DG6 "Elizabeth".-www.whitbysteambusandcharabanc.co.uk/home

After the meal our President, Keith Honour, presented some of the Society Silverware. The Challenge Cup this year went to Andrew Waling, for the restoration of his Foster Showman's Tractor "Lord of the Isles", which was carried out over a two year period at home with the help of friends. The George Swann shield went to new member Jamie Jennings for his efforts with his family's Aveling Roller, which is usually seen travelling to events under its own steam. The Mick and Jackie Charles Shield, which is presented to prominent helpers of the Society Rally, this year went to Peter and Carol Lewis for the help they give, not only with the Vintage Tractor section but to the event in general to make sure all goes smoothly. And the Mick Charles Rose Bowl went to Brian Morrison for his help with the Great Chesterford Steam Up over the years.

A good time was had by all, and we must thank Maureen Pumfrey for all the hard work she puts into running the dinner on our behalf.

The EATES AGM held at Thurlow on Saturday 30th. Oct. 2010

(Pictures copyright of Alex Bareham)

The Society's Annual General Meeting was held in Thurlow Village Hall on October 30th. While we are very grateful to those that attended, it would have been nice to have had a larger attendance - remember this is your chance as members to tell us what you want from your society. The business of the meeting was concluded swiftly with no great controversy. The Committee remains largely unchanged. The Society agreed to monitor the NTET's efforts to gain water company's approval for hydrant use, and to offer its support if and when it is required.

After the meeting, Robert Pumfrey was presented with the Ben Taylor trophy to mark his forty years on the committee. Richard Buck received the Arthur Clarke Shield for his efforts in attending Society functions all the way from Derby, and Allan Loveday was given the silver salver for his constant service at Thurlow Rally Treasurer.

The afternoon was rounded off by tea and cake and a video show of old and new films.

Thanks must go to Sue Doncaster, Terry Fowler and the other helpers who dealt with providing the tea and cake, and to Chris Brighty for running the raffle.

Michael Pumfrey

From left, Richard Buck, Keith Honour and Robert Pumfrey

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President Keith Honour presents the 40yrs. cup to Robert Pumfrey at the society's AGM held at Thurlow on Saturday 30th.

President Keith Honour presents the shield for the member who travelled the longest distance to the AGM. He is Richard Buck who came from Derby.

President Keith Honour with his 4in. scale Burrell traction engine outside Thurlow village hall .

A report by Michael Pumfrey the AGM

Welcome to your Society's 55th AGM. This year we have returned to a very traditional venue for us. It was in this very hall that the meeting was held to form the Society as it exists today, on Saturday, 25th October 1986, as well as being our regular AGM venue for many years.

It's good to see you here, after all the Society is only sustained by energy and enthusiasm, both from the membership in general and its Committee members in particular. It may only be a hobby but positivity and support is no less important because of that, if the Society is to continue to be.

At this point I feel I should mention somebody whose enthusiasm and support for the Society and its activities has reached a significant milestone. I refer to our Membership Secretary, and past President, Robert Pumfrey - who this year has reached the staggering total of 40 years on the Committee.

It has been another good year for the Society, starting off with the annual Film Show at Whittlesford. Steamwise we started off with an excellent event at the Audley End Model Railway, with many thanks to the Railway for providing a super venue, and to John Hunt for all his hard work, with others, in making it happen.

Thurlow, which continues in association with the Society was another success. The event was well supported by exhibitors and public alike. We look forward to next year's event, and to working more closely with each other in future years.

The season came to a close with the Steam Up at Great Chesterford, with the support of most of the Villagers this is always well supported, and just last week we met at Whittlesford once again at our Annual Dinner Dance - all who attended had a super time and those that missed it, missed a treat!

Of course, many of you will have attended other events outside the Society, as have we. We are lucky in this area to have such a wide range of steam related events in easy travelling distance - so that whatever you look for in an event you can find it somewhere. However do bear in mind that any event that takes place - from the Dorset Steam Fair to an afternoon steam up, takes time, dedication and devotion to this hobby from the people that put it on, the organisers, and the exhibitors. For this we owe them a debt of gratitude that should not be underestimated. Often organising anything is a thankless task, with far more people willing to tell you how things SHOULD be done or how they WOULD do them, than those who will roll up their sleeves and get on with it... So next time you go to an event, if you find it particularly good in whatever regard, I can tell you from personal experience that a note to that effect to the organiser would be very much appreciated.

That doesn't mean we, as organisers, shouldn't be just as grateful to our visitors - the Public that support us. It says something that people still take an interest and support our events - the doom mongers were writing to the Club in 1956 saying that the steam movement has run its course, but Dorset and others still pull in large attendances...

I think, with an eye on legislation and Health and Safety, as long as we are sensible the steam movement will have a long and successful future. However, it is important to realise that we need to demonstrate best practice in order to safeguard this. The days of drinking in the beer tent all day and driving your engine around the field or, even worse, down the road, should, quite rightly be confined to the past. By all means have a drink, when the sheet is on. Do it right, and be seen to do it right, and we won't have a problem. Likewise we should all be careful to ensure our equipment is in safe, reasonable order and all our paperwork is in place...

But coming back to the society, or the "Club" as it is often known. We are catering to a different audience to that of 1955. We polled you the members to ascertain what you want from us, the replies received, while few in number, were interesting - and we do our best to respond to what you want. However in these tough financial times, things are costing more and more, and for this reason we fear we will have to increase subscriptions at next year's AGM, just to give you some warning...

The days of the Club running three Rallies are long gone now, we cannot stand the massive financial risk associated with large events, though we do like to "keep our hand in" with Thurlow. Afternoon and weekend steam ups seem to be popular, and if any member wants to have a "get together" we will always be on hand with advice and support if needed.

I know the membership officer will report another fall in membership this year, this is to be expected with the passing of older members. However if each member could persuade/coerce or otherwise encourage just one person to join us, the membership could potentially double! Spread the word on our behalf... - after all more members = more income = more activity from us!

It has been unfortunate that, due to a change of hands, the Noggin and Natter evenings haven't taken place this year. If anybody could suggest a venue or, even better, would be prepared to take on the organisation of these get-togethers, please let us know.

I will close by thanking the Committee for their efforts over the past year.

Wisbech St Mary's Bonfire Night

Picture and words by Michael Pumfrey

Saturday, 6th November of course saw many towns and villages having their bonfires and fireworks, and Wisbech St Mary is no exception. However this village's celebrations, held at the Primary School, is different in that for many years the fireworks and bonfire have been joined by Foster Showman's Tractor "Lord of the Isles" and the Chiappa fairground organ owned by the Waling Family. The Foster has missed the previous two years due to its restoration, and the Aveling Roller "Linda" deputised one year, and John Hunt's model Ruston last year. This year, with the Foster all but finished, it was decided to take both engines and the organ along.

"Linda" is an Aveling Barford Steam Roller built in 1946 for export to India, but never sent. Instead she worked for Cumberland Council before entering preservation, along with her sister engine, with John Crawley who sold the engine to Arthur Waling in 1962. She was taken to and from the fireworks by Society Members Terry Fowler and Jamie Jennings.

"Lord of the Isles" was built by Wm. Foster & Co. of Lincoln in 1928, new to Tucker Bros of Leics as a tractor for hauling bricks. It is know she served in showland with Arthur Holland of Swadlincote, before being owned by Lord Gretton and later Darbys of Sutton. Purchased by Arthur Waling in 1964. She was looked after by the owner Andrew Waling, and his father Peter - both former pupils of the Primary School.

The organ is a 48 keyless Chiappa. It was built on 1925 and when new was fitted in a set of Chairoplanes. It was purchased from the late George Cushing of Thursford in the sixties by Frank Waling.

The bonfire was well attended with many people stopping to listen to the tunes on the organ, and after the last "bang" the engines were escorted safely back to their base.

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