Anniversary and Birthday Celebrations
by Pat Freeman

   Arthur Clarke of 'The 'Waterings', Felsted. Essex, reached the fine old age of 80 on June 18th. He is a founder member and a Past President of the Club and is well known in the steam engine world as well as owning Fairground Organs and having a Museum devoted to all aspects of these organs.
   The East Anglian Traction Engine Club was brought into being in 1955 and it was therefore thought appropriate that these two occasions should be celebrated jointly.
   The outcome was that a two-day event was held on weekend of June 18/19th 2005 at 'The Waterings', by kind permission of Arthur Clarke, which took the form of a minor rally and a road run of some of the participating engines.
   The very first rally organised by the Club was held on the old Saling Airfield which is only about two miles from 'The Waterings' so it was decided that the road run should be to there and back.
   As Arthur played a substantial part in organising the 1955 rally and as two of his previously-owned engines were expected to be there, it was decided that he should be the one to start the run on the Sunday. The engines, both 1955 entries, being the 1926 Aveling & Porter Tractor Nippy, No. 11705, and the 1916 Garrett Agricultural Engine Felsted Belle, No. 32936.

    

   Unfortunately Felsted Belle was unable to attend, but Nippy, now belonging to Richard Murphy of Colchester, Essex, was there together with another 1955 entry, the 1909 Burrell Agricultural Engine Princess Royal, No.3106, belonging to Derek Spearman of Ongar, Essex, and both took part in the run.
   Another 1955 entry present at 'The Waterings' was the 1918 Showman’s Tractor Lord George, No.33358, owned by Kevin Swann of Sawston, Cambs., but  was not in steam as it is nearing the end of an extensive restoration.
   Altogether there were 17 engines at 'The Waterings', including two Sentinel Waggons - The Old Man, owned by Sue Doncaster of Colchester, Chairman of the EATES, and Vectis Knight, belonging to Melvyn Camps of Saffron Walden, Essex. Over half of these took part in the run, as well as one of the scale models and several tractors that were also at 'The Waterings'.
   Engines not mentioned above, but are shown in the following pictures are:-
1905 Fowler Agricultural Engine Ada, No 10373, owned by David Gowlett of Newmarket, Suffolk,
1937 Aveling-Barford Roller Lady Helen, No. AC 621, owned by Will Childs of Rayne, Essex,
1914 Ruston, Proctor Success, No. 50278, owned by the Pumfrey family of  Little Chesterford, Essex,
1921 Garrett Tractor Patricia, No. 33991, owned by Patricia Burberry of Markyate, Herts.,
1919 Garrett Tractor Old Pal, No. 3345?, owned the Nightingale family of Hatfield Peverel, Essex, 
1913 Fowler Showman's Engine Monarch, No.12905, owned by Paul Brown of Cressing, Essex,
1930 Burrell Agricultural Engine Rosemarie, No. 4085, owned by Jeremy Freeman of Ford End, Essex,
1935 Fowler Roller Bonny Lass, No. 19546, owned by Trevor Ellis of Chelmsford, Essex,
1925 Aveling & Porter Roller, no. 11236, owned by Jim Thompson of Ilford, Essex,
Master Potter, owned by Terry Young of Bishops Stortford, Essex, a half-size replica of 1913 Garrett 4CD Tractor Mr Potter, No. 31633.

    

    

    

    

    

    

   

                      

In the parade ring "Entertainment with Steam Engines" took place similar to that
held at Saling in 1955, including a Slow Race, if that is not a contradiction of terms, and a String Race. Trevor Ellis was the commentator for these events and he also gave a thumbnail history of each engine as it entered the parade ring and slipped in, where applicable, anecdotes about some of the owners and crew members.
   The event was primarily a Social function for Arthur, his family and friends and Club members and little attempt was made to publicise it. Well over 100 people gathered on the Saturday evening in a large marquee where entertainment was provided as well as a plentiful supply of food and drink.
   Especially memorable and emotional for Arthur was the presentation to him of a clock, affixed to the centre of a facsimile of Felsted Belle’s smoke-box door. The presentation was carried out by the incumbent President, Robert Pumfrey, assisted by three Past Presidents, Duncan Marston, Kevin Swann and Terry Young.