We’re pleased to be able to offer some traditional children’s amusements at the Crank Up this year. Local showman Joseph Rule will be presenting his Toytown ride, which dates back to 1910 and features a fantastic selection of restored cars, steam roller, horses and other period toys, and a set of children’s “High Flying Swingboats”
For further information on these, and other fairground equipment available from this family firm, visit www.traditionalsteamfair.co.uk
We are delighted to announce another three steam entries for the Crank Up – all engines that are appearing at a show for the first time with their current owners!
Alistair Cook will be bringing along his delightful miniature Savage Engine, which he has just finished building (Photo: A. Cook)
The Reid Family from Orwell, Cambs, are attending with their Clayton steam roller, which they purchased late last year (Photo C. Flack)
And Jenny Baxter, who edits the EATES magazine “Steam Preservation” will be presenting her Fowler T3 steam roller “Firefly”. Jenny is no stranger to steam, having owned and built miniatures, but this is her first full size engine. (Photo J. Baxter)
We’re delighted that these engines are debuting at our event and we hope the owners have an enjoyable and memorable weekend with us.
Look out around the local area for our bright yellow advertising boards! Our Publicity Team have been busy today putting the first of them up, and more are set to appear in the following days!
We’re pleased to announce that among the steam engines attending the event will be the Burrell Traction Engine “Princess Royal”, which is now owned by East Anglian Traction Engine Society Life Member, Richard Parrott of Weeting. This engine attended the very first East Anglian Traction Engine Club rally at Saling in Essex in 1955, so it is very nice that she can join us to mark the 60th anniversary of the Society.
She is seen below at Saling in 1955, and in her natural habitat at Weeting.
This time next month, exhibitors will be busy getting their pride and joy ready for the second day of our Show!
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
More vintage tractors. We hope to have a good selection at this year’s show.
David Cameron today went to see the Queen, to dissolve Parliament ahead of a General Election on May 7th. That means it is 38 days to Election Day…
However, far, far more importantly, it is 40 days til the Saffron Walden Crank Up!
We’re pleased to announce that the Pell fairground organ “Fenlander II”, owned by the Froment family will be attending our event, providing traditional musical entertainment to you all. The organ was seen at Little Downham, where it was also advertising us!
Ruston Traction Engine “Success” was out near Ely today, at the Little Downham Organ and Bygone Extravaganza, advertising our forthcoming event!
We are delighted to announce that the following engines have entered for the Saffron Walden Crank Up.
The Sentinel steam waggon “Vectis Knight” is owned by Melvyn Camps, and spent its working life in a quarry on the Isle of Wight. This is an unusual waggon in that it has a three-way tipping body.
Kevin Swann’s Garrett showman’s tractor “Lord George”. This engine was built as a steam tractor (similar to “Adventurer”), but soon afterwards was converted to showman’s specification and worked for the Harris Family in Suffolk, transporting their amusements and generating electricity to light them, using the dynamo fitted to the front of the engine.
The Allen Family are bringing their Aveling & Porter steam roller “William”, which spent its working life in the city of Cambridge.
Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries were engine and implement manufacturers based in Ipswich, Suffolk. This 7 horsepower traction engine worked commercially in Essex and is now owned by S.R. Haylock and driven by Phil Starling.
As stated before, while we are pleased to announce the steam engines as they enter for the event, please be aware that they are very old, and it is possible that last-minute problems may delay or prevent their participation.
Photos this time are from the webmaster’s collection.
Part of the line-up of steam engines at the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the East Anglian Traction Engine Society, held at Saling in 2005.
This year the Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary, and we at the Crank Up are delighted to be a part of marking this special occasion.