Easter Steam-Up 2007
by Michael Pumfrey 

The Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend saw the ever-popular Easter Steam Up taking place at the Green Man, Howe Street Essex.  This was a new venue for the event that was held at the Butcher’s Arms for the two previous years.
   A good selection of engines attended, including several that have been familiar on the East Anglian rally scene since the early days of the Club.  Barry Freeman brought his1930 Burrell Traction Engine Rosemarie, No. 4088, from nearby Ford End - where he had kindly allowed several of the engine owners to park their lorries. Also present was
President Robert Pumfrey’s 1913 Ruston, Proctor Agricultural Engine Success, No. 50278,  Edward Carr brought along his 1907 Burrell Single Crank Compound Engine Violet, No. 2927, which was owned and rallied by the late Roy Swain many years ago.  Will Childs steamed from Rayne with his 1937 Aveling-Barford Roller Lady Helen, No. AC 621, and Paul Whipps had his 1913 Wallis & Steevens Tractor, No. 7372, attending this event for the second time.  Society Vice President Trevor Ellis’ 1935 Fowler Roller Bonnie Lass, No. 19546, was in steam and running as nicely as ever, and Sir Douglas, the 1920 Road Locomotive, No.15467, owned by the Philp family of Castle Hedingham, also represented Fowlers. Barry Peacock is a regular at the Easter event, bringing his 1920 Ransomes Traction Engine Garioch Queen, No. 31928, from Wilburton in  Cambridgeshire. Bernard Green's Stanley Model 740 Steam Car also took part. This is a 7-Seat Open Tourer fitted, as a special, with quick-release wheels and capable of more than a 100 miles on a tankful of water. 

     

   From the Saunders collection at Stotfold, Beds came the 1914 Burrell Road Locomotive Lord Kitchener, No. 3633, which was owned by Chivers of Devises, Wiltshire, in its working days and the 1925 Burrell Special Scenic Showman’s Ex-Mayor, No. 4000, which worked for G. T. Tuby and looked very clean and smart in its distinctive blue livery.   Keith Honour’s Burrell Showman’s Margaret was due to attend, but unfortunately broke down en-route, suffering problems to the final drive, but Keith was not downhearted and still attended with his fairground organ “The Four Seasons”
   There was a wide selection of miniatures in attendance, including Derek Spearman with his half-size Burrell Showman’s, which we understand he has now parted with.  This was joined by Terry Baxter’s McLaren, Foden Wagons owned by Mick Cox, the Worbey family and Andy Holmes, and Burrell Traction Engines from the Millard family, Peter Downs and others.

     

   Entertainment was provided throughout the weekend by Dr. Busker, and a good time was had by all.  By the end of the event a substantial amount of money had been raised for local charities.