15th Mar 2012 / 4:47pm
Since the Guide went to print, we have heard that the Norfolk Steam Rally, at North Walsham Rugby Club on 19th-20th May, has been cancelled.
15th Mar 2012 / 4:24pm
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th May 2012
Following on from the great success of “Steam on the Levels” in June last year, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Easton Amos steam powered land drainage machine, Westonzoyland Pumping Station is holding the event again this year.
The Museum has a unique collection of stationary steam engines and pumps, acknowledged to be the largest in the South of England, 2ft narrow gauge railway used for transporting timber to the Marshall portable steam generator and many other unusual items of interest, which together with the Grade II* listed buildings make for a fascinating day out. The Environment Agency’s modern pump house will also be on display.
Over the two days, special guest exhibitors are expected, including Scammell lorry and living wagon, classic vehicles/bikes, tractors, portable engines and the Bridgwater Garrison, an open air living history and re-enactment group.
If you would like to keep up-to-date with what’s happening, please look at the website www.wzlet.org and sign up to the newsletter.
15th Mar 2012 / 10:42am
The 2012 Steam Heritage Guide has arrived from the printers and is being sent out to mail order customers.
Full of information on 830 museums, heritage railways & attractions, as well as 1200 events, this is the 'must have' Guide for this year.
There is a wide variety of places to visit, from railways, to car, lorry and bus museums, maritime museums and steam ships on which you can take a trip, and aviation museums where you can enjoy the sound of powerful engines being run up. All in all, iin this Jubilee year, this Guide is an essential companion to a fantastic year of nostalgia!
To make your visits more economical, several places also offer excellent discount entry vouchers, so don't miss out!
In addition to the Guide being available by mail order, we have managed to secure a deal through our newstrade distributors for copies to be sold through branches of WH Smith, as well as a host of independent retailers.
Trade customers can order direct from us or via Severnside Wholesalers on the Isle of Wight.
31st Jan 2012 / 2:23pm
After a year of setback and hard work both on the ship and behind the scenes significant progress has been made on funding, and offers of assistance to get the SS Shieldhall back to sea. Draft sailing plans are being drawn up to ensure the SS Shieldhall plays her role in this year's programme of extensive maritime celebrations and memorials.
In December 2011 the trustees of the Headley Trust awarded the SS Shieldhall a grant of £32,000 to help fund the repair work to the engine-room framing, this award has significantly raised hopes of getting Shieldhall back to a sea-worthy condition. This will give supporters and the public the opportunity of experiencing again the last steam ship operating in the environment she was designed for - the open sea.
Significant progress is also being made on other grant applications which will help to secure Shieldhall's longer term future and enhance the many learning and recreational opportunities available. A new target has also been set to raise a further £170,000 for the charity by corporate and individual donations.
This is all in stark contrast to the bleak position Shieldhall faced at the same time last year. Increased fuel costs, the affects of the economic climate, the impending cost of its annual sea worthiness certificate, and the devastating news of subsequent major failure.
The first challenge was to raise the intial £80,000 necessary to enable Shieldhall to be dry-docked in Falmouth in May 2011 for her annual survey. This was successfully achieved within days of the deadline with tremendous support from volunteers, organisations and the great British public.
Devastating news followed, during the dry dock survey the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Surveyor identified a number of badly corroded hull frames in the engine-room. The result of 56 years in a very aggressive environment. The passenger certificate was suspended until suitable repairs could be made and all passenger sailings had to be cancelled for 2011 and onwards. The initial cost of repair and re-inspection was massive and the main source of income to keep the ship operational was lost. A repair specification was agreed with the MCA and work is now well under way to regain the passenger certificate in early 2012 funding permitting.
Sailings are planned to start in April, with two Titanic related events on the 10th and 14th April. As a mark of respect for the events of 100 years ago, Shieldhall’s colour scheme has been altered to feature a black hull. This is our memorial to those who were lost on the 15th April 1912, but also to all those lost at sea in peacetime and war. The season will continue with excursions to view the three Cunard Queens in June, the seven ships of the P&O fleet in early July, when P&O celebrate their 175th anniversary and many other events taking place along the south coast in the summer.
Graham Mackenzie Managing Director says. We have had massive support in the last year from around the world, small and large donations. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their contributions to date. However, there is still a long way to go. We need financial support more than ever either through donations or sailing with us otherwise without sufficient income, we cannot sustain the old lady for the future. To sail ten nautical miles costs £500 in fuel oil! In this year of maritime reflection, and celebration I would encourage all to experience Shieldhall, based in her home port of Southampton Dock Gate 4.
See www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk for all the details.
18th Jan 2012 / 4:20pm
Just down the road from Gomshall Station, a popular spot to watch steam trains climb Gomshall Bank is Tillings Cafe, an increasingly popular place to drop into for tea, coffee or a bite to eat. This is especially popular in winter when the cold air can encourage one's appetite while waiting on the station. I have done it myself several times and highly recommend Tillings. For more, visit http://www.tillingscafe.co.uk/
.Brian Gooding, Editor, Steam Heritage.
The Steam Heritage Blog contains news on from the heritage and preservation scene including updates and last minute changes to steam and vintage shows and events.
The 2012 Steam Heritage Guide contains listings of preservation and heritage sites, railways, museums and attractions across the UK with contact details and facilities to help you plan days out for the family or for UK steam and heritage enthusiasts from preserved railways and steam centres to transport and industrial museums and collections. Maritime, Aviation, Military and Vintage vehicle museums are all included plus a comprehensive events diary list of steam rallies, vintage shows and live steam events.
