The Farm Machinery Preservation Society's Annual Vintage Rally  2007
by Pat Freeman

This, the 24th Annual Rally, was held on July 7/8th in the delightful grounds of the 16th century Melford Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk.
   The Society, now with over 400 members, was founded in 1968 to foster all aspects of farm machinery preservation, restoration and research.
   The relevant entrants were mainly tractors and stationary engines with about twenty full-size steam engines of which the oldest was Simon Webb’s Foster Agricultural Traction Engine Master Fred, No.2163, which was built in 1896. It was delivered to George T. Bullimore of Deeping St. James and was used for threshing work. It has two unusual features - a full-length Lincolnshire canopy and Starkey valve-gear.
   Simon has had Master Fred for the last seven years and during that time it has had a complete rebuild, mostly by Simon, with a new boiler supplied by Bicknell’s of Liphook. The work was completed last year and to celebrate it Master Fred visited the 23rd Annual Vintage Rally of the FMPS at Melford Hall from its base three miles away, towing two of Simon’s other engines; Peter Pan a 1912 Burrell Showman’s Engine, No.3433, and a 1932 Foden Tractor, Mighty Atom, No.14078, and a Foden trailer.

     

    This year another "steam train" arrived at Melford Hall for this rally, consisting of a Garrett 4CD Tractor, a trailer and a Garrett Living Van. These are owned by Charles and Harriet Baker, brother and sister, of Sudbury, Suffolk, who acquired them in February 2005.
   The Garrett Tractor, No.34539, was built in 1924 and was supplied to W. Bailey of Hengrave, Suffolk. In1936 it was acquired by Walter Nevard of Colchester and it eventually passed to his nephew, Brian Nevard, in 1970. On the death of Brian, his widow, Evelyn     (Eve ), rallied and maintained it. It is interesting to note that it has always resided in East Anglia..
   It is now in the process of being re-tubed by Charles with the help of Jonathan Wheeler. Currently the old tubes have been removed and, hopefully by the end of August, they will be replaced by 26 new ones, each 56 inches long and 1¾ inches in diameter. Steam/hydraulic tests will then take place. Charles has already fitted a steam siren, a present from his father, Robert.
   Evelyn, as she is named, is well known in tractor circles as a wood-burning engine, using mainly oak, ash and elm logs. These are carried in the trailer together with water, oils, and tools and passengers when required. This trailer has a LMS railway type chassis and the Nevards had fitted it with stronger axles as it was being used to transport, for their business, a Fowler VF Bulldozer.
   The Living Van was supplied to the Essex CC in 1925 and is now being restored, as far as possible to its original condition. Can any reader help Charles acquire an original stove? Or supply information as to the van’s whereabouts from 1925 until c1977 when acquired by Brian Nevard from Derek Taylor of Colchester.
   Charles told me that he has just acquired a 30 ft racksaw which will be ready for the rally fields next Spring and he is toying with the idea of adding it to the “steam train”, when rallying close to home.
Eve Nevard was also at the rally, with her 2” Freelance model steam engine named Katrina. This was acquired in 1985 and was with the Nevard family at almost all of the rallies that they attended.
   A newcomer to the FMPS rally was Dr Raymond Rowe’s Clayton & Shuttleworth Traction Engine Peggy, No. 36336. This engine was built in May 1904 and was displayed at the Norfolk Show, East Dereham in June of that year before going to John Sparks ( Engineers ) of Yapton, West Sussex, on August 24th1904. It is believed that she was purchased for Edward Hobgen  ( farmer ) of Shripney, West Sussex and it is known that she was working on his farm. By 1928 she was in the ownership of Henry Hobden of Isfield, West Sussex and worked on farms in that County. In 1950 he sold her to Michael Pink D.F.C. who took her to many shows in the Kent area. Peggy was sold to John Middleton of Hayle, Cornwall in 1986 and was bought by Dr. Raymond Rowe in April 2002 who has rallied her every year since. Raymond took Peggy back to the Clayton & Shuttleworth Stamp End Works in 2004 to celebrate her centenary. He also took her back to Yapton on August 25th 2004 to the same building ( now a Co-op )100 years to the day.
   Peggy was the first engine out on the NTET’s 50th Anniverary Road Run later that year, completing the 18 mile route.
   Also there was  Trevor Ellis's 1935 Foster Roller Bonny Lass, No. 19546. The picture shows Jenny  Baxter, who has just become a member of the EATES committee, siiting in front of the roller. Jenny is 4 years into building her own 4" scale McLaren Road Loco.
   Next year the rally will be held on July 6/7th at Melford Hall. Should you wish to find out more about  the Farm Machinery Preservation Society or to join it, please contact Bill Preston on 01245 420168.