Whittlesford Video Show 2007
By Michael Pumfrey

On Saturday February 17th, around 60 members and friends gathered at Whittlesford for the 24th Film Show organised by the East Anglian Traction Engine Society. The show still bears the name “Great Chesterford” as this was where it was started by Robert Pumfrey and the late Mick Charles in 1984. Following the demolition of the old village hall there the film show was moved to Whittlesford, and the venue proved so popular it never moved back!
   Films spanned a 37 year period. First, a film of the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Roadrun last year by Barry Reynolds, the EATES Secretary, was presented, featuring Aveling Old Peculier and Sentinel The Old Man. To mark the passing of EATES life-member, Stan Burgess, a film of him restoring Ruston Proctor Success in 1970 was shown, along with film of Stan’s engines in the workshop and in action, including the Clayton Wagon Fenland Princess steaming around Haddenham as a rolling chassis in 1976. Film of early 1970s rallies was also shown, including Roxton, Haddenham, Bysteam and Weeting. The first half was rounded off by footage of Christopher Pumfrey doing a Bungee Jump in New Zealand last year.
   After the refreshment break, there were excerpts from the film "The Moon and the Sledgehammer", featuring an Allchin Traction Engine and Fowler Ploughing Engine, and the show was rounded off with a film taken in New Zealand last year, at the rally at Rangiora and the roadrun to Cust.
   A vote of thanks must go to Maureen Pumfrey for doing the refreshments, Olly Wyeld for running the bar, and Carol Lewis for looking after the raffle.