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Brian Sharp February 19th 1946 - 3rd Jan 2012 The Funeral for Brian Sharp who died suddenly on 3rd January 2012 took place on Friday 20th January at St Mary's Church in Stotfold, Beds. The cortege was headed by one of the Saunders engines; the 1919 built Wallis & Steevens No.7666 named 'Wheatsheaf', which Brian drove for many years. John Saunders was at the helm on this occasion as it towed the coffin on a flower be-decked trailer from their home in the village past the Conservative Club where many mourners joined the procession. Ted Saunders acted as Pallbearer. As they wended their way through the village streets in somewhat persistent rain, others joined what had now become a long snaking line of umbrellas, with the Jester at the rear, behind him were two additional engines; Garrett Showman's Tractor 'Little Billy' Works No.33566 also of 1919, and their recently acquired 1932 Sentinel Steam bus, No.8714, 'Martha', both part of the Saunders Collection. Leaving nothing to chance the brothers has also organized their breakdown trucks to block off the roads at appropriate locations in order not to impede the cortege. At the Church, where even more locals had arrived to pay their respects to this extremely well loved local character, the coffin was taken in by the Pallbearers, where it was standing room only! Brian's son Gareth and daughter Nicola both spoke warmly of their father during the service. After which, the cortege slowly made it way the ¾ mile to cemetery, passing the famous restored Stotfold Mill on the way. At the Cemetery gates 'Little Billy' took over the trailer as 'Wheatsheaf' which was on steel wheels was not allowed onto internal roads. The steam bus also squeezed through the rather narrow cemetery gates to assist those who were struggling with the walking and the weather. At the Internment, the family laid flowers on the coffin and then 10 year old Ewan clambered up on to 'Little Billy' and blew the whistle as a final tribute to his Grandad. The rain continued as everyone made their way back to the village and a Wake that Brian's wife Rose had organized. Once out of the rain the vitals and warmth soon revived the mourners and the event went off extremely well just as Brian would have liked. Brian will be missed by all who knew him. Barrie C. Woods 25th January 2012 Please make any donations for this article to the British Heart Foundation at: www.justgiving.com/brian-bowler-sharp Thank you.

Photos by Clive Flack

This year’s Society and Club AGM was held at the Museum of Technology in Cambridge.  We must express our thanks to all at the Museum for allowing us to use their facilities and for making us so welcome.

The Museum is based in Cambridge's old sewage pumping station, which was closed down in 1968. Up until 1894, untreated sewage was flowing into the River Cam through a network of collapsing and overused sewers. Several methods of resolving the problem were investigated, varying from repair to complete replacement. The method finally chosen was to deepen and widen the existing sewers and add a steam pumping station to pump the sewage to a new sewage farm at Milton. The original building was built in 1894 and shows a progression of the development of power, from steam, through internal combustion, to electricity. The steam engines performed this task for 74 years, from 1895 to 1968. The site is one of the earliest examples of recycling because the city's rubbish was burned here to produce steam to power the steam engines to pump the sewage.

Members had the opportunity to examine the many interesting engines and displays within the museum and also to see one of the two gas engines being run.  Unfortunately the Hathorn Davey pumping engines that were installed in 1894 were not in steam, due to retubing work, but were very interesting to inspect nonetheless.  David Gates however provided some live steam with a scale Foden steam wagon.

More details on the museum can be found at www.museumoftechnology.com.

The Meeting itself was held in the Spackman building, and got underway at around 2.30pm.  Attendance was a little on the low side, and given the interesting venue was quite disappointing.  However we are very grateful to those that did attend.  The business of the meeting was concluded with little controversy.  The officers reported on a successful year with varied activities that were enjoyed by the members and the public alike.  It was announced that unfortunately Thurlow would not be going ahead in 2012 and thanks were conferred to those who had been running it over the previous years.  Audley End was a very successful event and will continue next year, and the Annual Dinner Dance was a resounding success at its new venue, “The Nucleus” in Little Chesterford.  Thanks were expressed to John Hunt and Co., and Maureen Pumfrey for their efforts with the respective events.

There have been a few changes to the Committee line-up this year.  Chairman Michael Pumfrey has stood down (though remaining as Editor) and been replaced by Chris Brighty, who many of you will know as the owner of a nocturnal Aveling roller that currently has a little tummy ache…  Pat Freeman has decided that, at the age of 91, he would like to take things a little easier and has stood down as Publicity Officer, though he remains a Vice President.  David Pick was elected Treasurer for another year, though he wishes to stand down at the 2012 AGM, and we are actively seeking a replacement to work alongside him. The other officers remain in position, along with the rest of the committee.

After the meeting a number of presentations were made by the President, Keith Honour.  The Ben Taylor trophy was presented to the outgoing Chairman Michael Pumfrey.  The Model Maker’s shield went to Kev Baldwin for building his freelance steam wagon and also working hard establishing our social meetings at Bury St. Edmunds.

Pat Freeman with the silver plate that was presented to him at  his home by Terry Taberer . This was given in recognition for all his work as publicity Officer and fundraising for the society.	The Ted Moore shield went to Richard Hobbs for running the Vehicle section at Thurlow Rally.
The Fensom Trophy went to Terry Taberer in recognition of his unceasing committee work, including holding multiple committee posts at times.	Matthew Peacock was presented with a shield in recognition of his work with Haddenham Rally.

MMatthew Peacock was presented with a shield in recognition of his work with Haddenham Rally.

DINNER DANCE


This year’s Dinner Dance was held at the new venue of The Nucleus, Little Chesterford Park. 138 members and friends attended and all had a good time. This year’s guest speaker was Willem Middlemiss, who talked about his father’s involvement in the early days of Steam. After dinner a number of presentations were made. The Challenge Cup went to Ryan Donovan, who is restoring an Aveling Roller purchased from the Thursford Collection auction this year. The Mick and Jackie Charles Shield went to John Hunt for taking over and organising the Trade and Model sections at Thurlow, and the George Swann shield went to Matt Garwood for his many miles roading his veteran Aveling Roller.

www.prlog.org/11724716-full-steam-ahead-for-traction-engine-society.html

CLUB SOCIAL EVENINGS

For a pint and some chat head to THE GREYHOUND, EASTGATE STREET, BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK IP33 1YQ. Members, enthusiasts and friends are cordially invited to an informal social evening every second Wednesday of the month, at 8pm.

Organised by Kevin Baldwin.

OR

For those in the south of the region, check out THE UNITED SERVICES CLUB, BOCKING, NEAR BRAINTREE, ESSEX, CM7 5LA. The original Noggin and Natter evenings will be reinstated at this new venue, for members to come for a quick chat and a catch up.  For January, February and March we will be meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Dates for April and the following months will follow in the New Year.

Contact Trevor Ellis for details (01245 284 378)

The Editor would be most grateful for any information any of you may have regarding steam rollers operated by Essex County Council, particularly the last batch of eleven Avelings bought in 1922, being nine ten ton (F type) and two eight ton (D type), piston valve compound rollers. A number of this batch of rollers survive, and the owners would be grateful to know more regarding their career in Essex, and subsequent disposal - with the side-effect that we shall get a nice article for our magazine.

At a recent meeting of the Thurlow Steam and Country Show committee, it was decided that in view of rising costs, falling income and potential competition from the Olympics and other events, it would not be sustainable to hold the event next year. This was not an easy decision but we decided it was the safest and most sensible course of action, and it does not preclude the possibility of the event carrying on in future.We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors, helpers, traders, visitors and everybody else that have helped and supported the event over the years.

Michael Pumfrey,

Event Organiser.

HADDENHAM STEAM RALLY

The link below  is to the Ely People website coverage of the 2011 Haddenham Steam Rally, which includes four picture galleries containing 160 images from the weekend.

http://www.elypeople.co.uk/Haddenham-Steam-Rally-2011-Weekend-Pictures/story-13308702-detail/story.html

‘MINIATURE WEEKEND

May I firstly introduce myself. I am a keen steam enthusiast and work with other volunteers at Strumpshaw Steam Museum just over the Suffolk border near Brundall just east of Norwich.

Strumpshaw Hall was built in 1646 and is set in its own country estate. It is owned by the ‘Key’ family and is presently run by William Key. Strumpshaw has its own steam museum set within the grounds and includes around twenty full size traction engines with many other attractions including full size working beam engines and a Christie cinema organ played by a resident organist. Outside are further attractions of rare breeds, a countryside walk and a half scale working railway which gives rides to the public around the estate grounds.

Strumpshaw Steam Museum holds an annual spring rally which includes steam engines, tractors, cars and traditional fairground rides. Miniature railway and miniature steam engines are also featured but the event tends to be dominated by over 50 full size traction engines. The museum plans to give the smaller scale models their dedicated weekend next August 25 th, 26th and 27th 2012 and we would like to invite any miniature working engines whether road, rail, field or water driven by steam, electric, diesel or petrol. The event would be open to most things miniature including fairground rides and even a steam up for Mamod users.

It is with pleasure we wish to invite your club as a whole to attend our three day ‘MINITATURE WEEKEND’. We are prepared to offer free entry for any exhibitor and free camping facilities for the whole weekend. Coal would also be included for all exhibitors of steam powered miniatures. If you wish to accept our invitation you are more than welcome to exhibit on our grounds including operators of miniature railways using their own track any monies raised may be kept for your own club funds or maybe a split. We also plan to have professional auctioneers running a ‘MINIATURES and MODELLERS’ auction which includes anything whole or in part or even spares will be auctioned on the Saturday whereby anyone from your club may wish to enter or buy. This miniature rally is a new venture for Strumpshaw we normally have around 20,000 visitors to our spring rally and we aim for the MINIATURE rally to bring many clubs and organisations together over one weekend where everyone including the general public can admire and appreciate our passions.

You and your club would be warmly welcome and we would value your support to get this off the ground with our view of making this an annual event.

Further details on our website - www.strumpshawsteammuseum.co.uk.

In warm anticipation of you accepting our invitation and If you wish to discuss this or have ideas of how we together can get this event ‘STRUMSHAWS FIRST MINIATURE STEAM WEEKEND’ up and running please give me a ring or reply by e mail

Regards

Alan Garnham    - Telephone - Felixstowe 01394 285056 or mobile 07795343213 e mail alangarnham@hotmail.co.uk

emails to: info@eates.org