The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club

Our President David Fowler’s funeral will be on Thursday 14th July at Thatcham Crematorium at 1pm. The Wake will be at The Old Mill Aldermaston.

It is with great sadness that the club announce the death of our President, David Fowler. David was one of the original members of the club and one of the last of the preservation pioneer generation. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Funeral details will be shared once they are known.

We have been offered the chance to visit the Mid Hants railway premises at Ropley, with a guided tour of the general workshop, engine shed and boiler workshop.

PLEASE NOTE This will be on Thursday 16th June from 7pm, rather than the usual second Monday of the month.

Places are limited so please book your space by calling our secretary Carole Davis: 07787 550824 OR carole.davis15@googlemail.com.

For the May club meeting we have Ellie Thorn coming to give us a talk on the history of local firm Plenty’s of Newbury. Plenty’s were well known for their production of marine steam engines.

See you at the Angel, Woolhampton from 7.30pm on Monday 9th May.

For the April meeting on Monday 11th April we will be showing a 1970s Film of the restoration of Garrett Showman’s tractor “The Greyhound” which has recently been donated to the club by past member David Bailey. The film also include some of the 1970’s rallies the engine attended including the 1975 Nettlebed – Appleford road run for the National Traction Engine Clubs 21st Anniversary.

See you from 7.30pm at The Angel, Woolhampton, Berks.

Here are the arrangements for Jim’s funeral-

Wednesday 13th April.

Jim will take his final journey behind the Burrell showmans “William V” on the Wantage traction wagon. The funeral cortege will leave the yard at Mount Pleasant Farm, Coombe End, Whitchurch Hill, Pangbourne, Nr Reading, Berkshire at 12.30pm and travel to the St John the Baptist Church, Whitchurch Hill, Pangbourne, Nr Reading, Berkshire RG8 7PA.

The main funeral service will be at 1pm. After the service the funeral cortege will leave the Church for Reading crematorium, All Hallows Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 5LP for the cremation at 2.30pm for family and close friends.

Afterwards the family invite everyone back to The Sun Inn, Hill Bottom, Whitchurch Hill, Pangbourne, Nr Reading, Berkshire, RG8 7PU. All Parking for cars will be in the (rally field) field behind the pub, so as not to congest the small village. Entrance to the The Sun Inn is through the back garden from the field. The Burrell showmans “William V” will be in steam in the car park along with other engines & wagons in steam.

Family flowers only.

There is a donation page in memory of Jim on the funeral directors website-

http://www.chadwicksfuneralservice.com

Howard Chadwick funeral service.
33 Benson Lane, Crowmarsh, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8ED.

Go to the donations page and type in ‘Sarney’ and it will take you to the donations page set up in his memory.

Donations will be split between-

National Traction Engine Trust.

The Road Locomotive Society.

Mid Hants Railway (The Watercress Line)

The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club and the steam fraternity in general were saddened to learn of the loss of one of its great characters last month.

Jim Sarney had a full life of steam on the railway and in the traction engine movement, and set a high standard in the presentation of his engines. Jim had a vast amount of skill and knowledge on all things steam, probably best remembered for his antics with Burrell Road Loco no. 3057 “Lord Roberts” and the forming of Amalgamated Heavy Haulage.

We are awaiting news of the details of Jim’s funeral, and will post them on here and on our Facebook page as soon as we have them.

A full article to remember Jim’s life of steam will be posted on here soon.

A reminder of the March Club Meeting on Monday 14th March at the Angel Pub Woolhampton Berkshire from 7.30pm.

This is our annual AGM so please attend if possible as this is the chance to re-elect your clubs officers and find out about future events.

Following the AGM we will be showing a collection of steam related short videos that have been selected from online sources.

A reminder to all that the February club meeting is tomorrow 14th February from 7.30pm. The event will take place at the Beenham Social club instead of the Angel at Woolhampton. The address is Picklepythe Lane, Beenham, Reading, RG7 5NT. See you there from 19.30.

TVTEC club members are invited to join the Burnham club on their weekend coach trip visit to Norfolk. See attached pdf flyer. If you are interested in going please contact Michelle Harrison on 01189340597 or by email at Club@bshmc.co.uk.