| ABOUT US |
Welcome to Hockley Heath Steam Association The origins of the Hockley Heath Steam Association can be found as far back as the early sixties. When in 1964, local engineer, Jack Marshall acquired Ransomes, Simms & Jefferies agricultural engine, works no. 15012, built 1903. He purchased the engine from the Cambridge area and set about restoring it in the front garden of his home at Hockley Heath, near Solihull. Meanwhile, two other local people had brought engines. Tom Brown of Shirley, purchased a small Fowler road roller, works no. 21629, built 1937. Then Arthur Smith of Oldberrow , Henley-in-Arden acquired the Burrell Showman’s ‘Nero’ works no. 3669, built 1915. The Ransomes and the Fowler were both operational and were invited to take part in the local Baptist Church Fete` in 1965. From this, many more invitations arrived for the engines to attend local events. By this time, contact had been made with other engine owners. Jack and his colleagues decided that a small engine rally should be staged to raise more funds for the Church. These proved to be a great success and the rallies became larger each year. In 1970 twenty-five traction engines attended as well as model’s, vintage cars, motor cycles and the world’s largest portable 2ft gauge steam railway, belonging to Arthur Smith. The Association was established to cater for the many people who wanted to become part of the burgeoning preservation movement. In those days you could still buy derelict steam rollers and traction engines. Agricultural tractors and their machines also had a keen following. In 1966 the Association was offered a piece of land opposite Jack’s house on which to keep the Ransomes and Fowler. There was a sudden expansion of activities, other owners brought engines for safekeeping and restoration. Next to arrive was a very small Aveling and Porter steam roller, works no. 8489, built 1915, from I.C.I., Witton. This had been used to maintain the internal road system at the works. This tiny roller was bought by Lawrence Watts, who himself was tall. It was often difficult to tell which was the chimney, because they both smoked heavily! The same year saw the arrival from Worcestershire of a large Ruston and Hornsby roller, works no. 114059, built 1921, owned by the Arden Steam Group. As the Association grew larger it became policy to acquire artefacts, such as tractor’s, motor-rollers, stationery engines, models and steam roller living vans. To keep up with restoration and maintenance, Thursday evening and weekend work parties were organised, a tradition which goes on today. By the early seventies it was apparent that running a local event was expensive, with no prospect of covering costs if the weather was bad . Just as it had been decided to cease our own series of rallies we were invited to help establish a new steam based event at the Royal Showground, Stonleigh. From this early beginning the Association has been responsible for the steam and vintage sections, which continues to the present day. The three-day event is our main fund-raiser, all our resident engines are usually to be found doing various tasks, and helping to provide children’s rides. This is an opportunity for all members to take part and help drive the engines. Membership is made up of more non-steam engine owners than engines. The owners are always pleased to welcome new people, who can come and learn how to repair and maintain them , to keep them in road worthy condition. During the summer the engines move from one rally to another by road under steam. Plenty of willing crew is always required to share the fun, plus the achievement of driving a steam engine with its trailer and van, on the highway. In 1997 the Association purchased the Fowler R.R. no.21629 from the widow of Tom Brown and it arrived from Somerset on April 13th. The engine required some work to make it steamable again and a dedicated team of members put in many hours to make the engine ready for the Town & Country Festival. Several stays were replaced and the tender required major surgery to make it fit again. The engine was duly steamed on the Saturday of the show and it rolled into the showground after a trouble free journey of fifteen miles to great applause. Over the last few years some more boiler work has been done together with repairs to the smokebox, rebuilding the safety valves, new cladding, and a repaint into Fowler colours. |