Club member Tristan Leverett reports on his recent activities:

Now this winter much hard work has been happening in engine sheds across the land but none more than in the Thatcham camp! I rencently took time to meet with Ben Brown and his team, who have undergone a major project to put Marshall No 37690 ‘Old Timer’ back to an original state; from its previous working life in the late twenties. Shortly before Old Timer was sold to Wilders of Wallingford for renovation, it did a small stint with a little local travelling fair run by Mr U.N Likely of Watlington, 37690 provided haulage and electrical power via a dynamo. Unfortunately there are no visual records of the engine at this time, but Ben did manage to find a small written account in the Wilder records obtained from Wallingford Museum, it describes 37690’s condition when it arrived at the Wharf.

“Today we purchased, from a Mr U.N Likely of Watlington a Marshall 6nhp agricultural traction engine for renovation. It is an unusual machine with large Marshall 7nhp rear wheels, a dynamo and canopy fitted and green in colour, by jove!”

Records about Mr U.N Likely can be found through the Nation Fairground Archive in Sheffield.

The recently reverted “Show Timer” at it’s launch party in April

We are delighted to feature the first picture here on the new TVTEC website of ‘Old Timer’. Or should I say ‘Show Timer’ as 37690 was known when in use by Mr U.N Likely. Ben says he couldn’t resist having his name on one side of the canopy boards, but the other side does hold the original owners name: U.N Likely Amusement Caterer. A new ‘Show Timer’ name plate is being made and will proudly sit round the dynamo bracket.

‘Show Timer’s’ first public appearance will be at the Appleford village fete in May where the team involved will be on hand to discuss their hard work.

For more interesting steamy things please visit sparkarrester.org