Saffron Walden Vintage Road Run
April 9th 2006
By Pat Freeman

In previous years this event comprised mainly of steam engines, but on this run they were in a minority as about 30 tractors took pride of place.
This event was organised by EATES member Ian Morrison. It started and finished at the Ashton Road Commericial Centre in Saffron Walden using a 14 mile, maximum, cicular route with a lunch stop at 'The Fighting Cocks' public house in Wendons Ambro. There were short cuts for those that preferred them.
   The 1921 Garrett Tractor Patricia, No. 33991, owned by Pat Burberry, arrived on a low-loader and was immediately greeted by a camera crew from Anglia TV who were there to make a documentary for showing in a few weeks time. This engine was used for most of its working life by the late Jack Fensom, the present owner's grandfather. However the run was not to be one of its best for soon after starting out, it had tube trouble and arrived at 'The Fighting Cocks' on the low-loader accompanied by the Fensom family's AEC Matador, Reg. No. HNM 435F. Albert Fensom bought this in 1967 as an army vehicle and converted it to a timber tractor. It was used in the family business until the mid-1980's. It was driven from the Bedford area to Saffron Walden by Elaine Burberry, a journey of about 2 hours.

     

   Several engines set out from Taylor's Yard at Wimbish and the 1914 Ruston, Proctor Agricultural Engine Success, No. 50278, joined the route at Little Chesterford, from Springwell Farm the home of the owners Robert Pumfrey and family.

     

   The Culpin Bros set out from Wimbish on their1924 Fowler Roller Jenny, No.15973, but had to turn back early on as they had left the potatoes behind that they had planned to cook in Jenny's firebox at lunchtime. As they arrived at 'The Fighting Cocks', presumably 'All's well that ends well'.
   Mervyn Camps also started from Wimbish with his 1927 Super Sentinel 3-Way Tipper Waggon Vectis Knight, No. 6887, as did Keith Honour with the family's Burrell Showmans Road Loco. Margaret, No. 3326. This was new in 1922 to Henry Thurston, the Amusement Caterer, and worked with his set of Chairplanes.
   Bernard Green's Stanley Model 740 Steam Car, No. 23612, 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. 
   A 4.5 in. scale Burrell Little Chuff, given to Bethany Hunt as a Christmas present in 2005, was at 'The Fighting Cocks', but not in steam as it was due for a boiler test.
   An interesting non-steam vehicle was a Lancia Triota Commercial Vehicle belonging to Paul Englemann & Son with a 4-cylinder 4942 c.c. engine and bodywork by Farina. This was supplied to The Royal Ulster Constabulary who used it as a local carrier. They had it armoured for used during the Irish troubles of the 1920's and it was later converted back to its Farina bodywork.