Pewsey, Wiltshire 23/24 Sept 2017

Discussion in 'Events & Meets' started by Simes, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    For members in the SW who may find Newark a bit of a hike you may like a small late season do in this part of the country.

    We came across this site last year.

    http://www.thegoldenswan.co.uk

    WP_20161022_005.jpg

    WP_20161022_006.jpg

    WP_20161022_007.jpg


    A decent amount of space behind the pub.

    Not far from here.

    http://www.croftonbeamengines.org

    And short walk to the canal from the quiet village.

    I'll add more detail idc but please post here if interested.

    Simon
     
  2. shagratork

    shagratork United Kingdom Moderator, R.I.P. Subscriber

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    It is at the other end of England from where I live, but I would be interested.
     
  3. tankie

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    Looks like a nice site, I might use it for myself
     
  4. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    Small update.

    Have booked directly with the pub and costs are £6/person/night.

    01672 562289

    There will also be a DoE group there (as there was last year). Other than that there is quite a bit of room available. Just keeping fingers crossed and praying to the weather gods.

    If anyone is tempted it's a lovely area of Wiltshire with many local highlights, hopefully the wasps nest in the canal bank has gone this year.

    Simon
     
  5. shagratork

    shagratork United Kingdom Moderator, R.I.P. Subscriber

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    Awwwwwww! I thought that this event was not happening and I am now booked for other things on that weekend.

    I am sure that you will have a great time anyway.
     
  6. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    Never mind Trevor, perhaps next year.

    As you may remember we have previously camped over at Porlock in Sept where few local members have popped in.

    Perhaps being a bit more organised myself next year might help as well.
     
  7. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

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    Beware persons from Porlock.
     
  8. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    A frequent visitor to my inbox I'm afraid Ed.
     
  9. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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  10. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    A couple of pics from Crofton today.

    WP_20170923_15_42_47_Pro.jpg

    WP_20170923_13_24_48_Pro.jpg

    First pic is the engine house viewed from the canal it was built to supply water with from the nearby river. The alternative was a much more expensive tunnelling exercise as the higher route meant it would be above the natural water supply on this stretch between London and Bristol. Engines still working date from around the mid 1800's. 2 engines capable of lifting approx 1 ton of water per stroke.

    Second image is of a visitor from Illinois, the only oil engine present.
     
  11. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    I had realized reading @Marc thread on steam I hadn't posted further images from the weekend.

    The technical details of the beam engines can be found in the links above.

    WP_20170923_10_35_06_Pro.jpg

    The pub from the front.

    WP_20170923_10_35_17_Pro.jpg

    Majority of houses in the village are thatched.

    WP_20170923_10_41_29_Pro.jpg

    A few pictures of the Kennet and Avon canal.

    WP_20170923_11_00_34_Pro.jpg

    The weather was kind again.

    WP_20170923_11_04_43_Pro.jpg

    Ladies Bridge, numerous names carved into it dating from the building of the canal.

    WP_20170923_13_25_07_Pro.jpg

    Some shots from Crofton

    WP_20170923_13_29_52_Pro.jpg

    The musical entertainment on the day.

    WP_20170923_13_30_20_Pro.jpg

    WP_20170923_13_37_21_Pro.jpg

    That is a boiler, Lancashire one.

    WP_20170923_14_27_11_Pro.jpg

    And the valve gear

    WP_20170923_14_28_32_Pro.jpg

    WP_20170923_14_35_41_Pro.jpg

    Cylinder head.

    WP_20170923_15_40_23_Pro.jpg

    View from the canal.

    WP_20170924_08_37_50_Pro.jpg

    Kitchen

    WP_20170924_08_38_18_Pro.jpg

    And complete setup.
     
  12. Marc

    Marc Subscriber

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    Fantastic! Thank you for sharing. Looks like quite a spread. What does the little sign in the last photo read?
     
  13. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    @Marc iirc something like 'Happy campers live here'

    Both beam engines were working that weekend, which has been a phenomenol job to do. And the boiler is low pressure riveted plate construction.

    Efficiency not huge but they'll lift a few tons of water in a single stroke up to canal level. Seond hand from Cornish tin mines.