Tunstead Tea Party
May 17th 2008
by Michael Pumfrey
For three years, Ollie Owen and Michael Pumfrey with
others have arranged the "Tunstead Tea Party" – a steam road run
from Billy Bird’s yard in Tunstead, North Norfolk, to Worstead
for lunch. With Billy’s unfortunate passing earlier this year,
it was decided to go ahead with the event in his memory, and we
were rewarded with good weather, after a wet start, and a very
good turnout of engines.
Seven
engines assembled in the yard at Tunstead, the 1920 Fowler Road Loco.
Sir Douglas, No. 15467, from
the Philp family of Castle Hedingham, in the hands of Brian Hagan,
J. & H. Bunn’s 1891 Burrell The Big A, No. 1563, with
custodian, EATES Vice
Chairman Ollie Owen, and the Presidential 1914 Ruston, Proctor T.
E. Success, No 50278, still running on steel wheels.
John Brice came from nearby Stalham with his 1922 Ruston and
Hornsby Roller Veronica, No. 115123. Simon and Olly Wyeld roaded the big
1913 Foden Road Loco. Monarch , No. 3534, across from Great
Melton, having missed
last year due to having a new firebox fitted, and Barry
and Matthew Peacock once again brought their 1920 Ransomes T.
E. Garioch Queen, No. 31928, from Wilburton near Ely.
This engine worked all its life with a Scottish threshing
contractor, and is fitted with coil springs. New to the event were Paul and Ann Blanch with their
1919 Clayton T. E. Valiant, No. 48224. This engine was a regular at
early events when with Albert Deans at Baldock. The
seven engines trundled to the New Inn at Worstead for lunch,
where the Marshall roller owned by Randall Bros from Skeyton
joined them.
For entertainment, Keith Honour had sent
along his Page and Howard fairground organ "The Four Seasons",
and this played in the pub carpark. A very pleasant afternoon
was spent at Worstead, and a good sum was raised for the
Lymphoma Trust.
On Sunday, all of the engines travelled to
Strumpshaw ready for the rally the following weekend, all apart
from the two on strakes made the journey under their own steam.
We must thank Heather Bird for very kindly allowing us to use
the yard, Derek for looking after us all when we arrived, and
Norfolk Constabulary for their co-operation.
