We couldn’t have asked for better weather to host 25 apprentices for our 2022 Steam Apprentice Club Driving Weekend! Having not been able to hold the event since 2019, due to Covid, everyone was raring to go and the sunshine made it all that more enjoyable. All apprentices, mentors and parents thoroughly enjoyed the two days and what a fantastic way to spend your weekend..... On the weekend of 9th and 10th April 2022, starting each day at 9am where apprentices began with taking off the engine sheets, learning how to fold sheets, learning all about cleaning the engines, plenty of Brasso and rags were used to clean all brass-work before learning about lighting the fire and the process of steaming up the engine. Apprentices were split into groups, with ages ranging from 7 to 19 years old and varied skill levels, they were teamed up with a mentor on each engine. They spent the day on one engine and then changed engines for the second day, giving each team a different experience than the day before. Everyone gained knowledge and increased their skills over the weekend, learning all about how a steam engine works, how to maintain fire and water levels and all the necessary skills required to operate the engine, and some learnt about the history of the engine they were working on and what it had been used for. We have plenty of space on the Weeting Rally site for engines to drive around, good for those who have never steered an engine before and may be a bit nervous, those nerves were soon gone when they were taught what to do, fear soon became fun. We created cone obstacles to help increase steering and driving skills including: a hairpin course, a garage bay to reverse into and cone slaloms, some apprentices were reversing around the hairpin course by the end of the weekend, and also gained the skill of solo driving and steering, and some were towing a trailer. The weekend ended with all apprentices receiving a certificate for successfully completing a steam engine driver experience, along with a Weeting Rally glass and Steam Apprentice keyring, a great way to end a superb couple of days. It was lovely to see the apprentices make new friends, gain new or increase existing skills and see their confidence grow. Part of the Weeting Rally mission is to educate on the history, use and maintenance of steam driven vehicles, which is why we hold a driving day for the Steam Apprentice Club, and to encourage the next generation of steam enthusiasts. I think we can say with full certainty that goal was achieved, even the parents had fun and all were very thankful for a well organised weekend. Richard Parrott was very disappointed he missed the weekend and sends his apologies to all, he had been unwell in hospital but is now home and doing much better. Steam engines used were Richard Parrott’s Burrell traction engines Century mentored by Alan and Stuart Hines, Princess Royal mentored by Sam Ellerton and Spitfire mentored by David Blackburn, the Cole Family’s Burrell traction engine Betty mentored by Paul ‘Sooty’ Coupland, Roger Adam's Burrell roller Jeanette mentored by James Collin and the Charles Burrell Museum’s showman’s engine Queen Mary mentored by Richard Stock. We are forever grateful to the mentors who volunteer their time, along with their knowledge and skills, all helps to develop the next generation of steamers. A big thank you to Sam Ellerton who sponsored the lunches provided for all apprentices and mentors over the weekend, to Kate Plant for organising the driving weekend alongside the Steam Apprentice Club and Jack Douglas and Matt Stroud for additional help. We now look forward to our own steam engine rally, being held on Friday 15th through to Sunday 17th July and hope to see the apprentices return for some public steering around the main ring!
View the rest of our website to find out more about our Rally and visit the Steam Apprentice Club to find out more about how you can get involved or become a member.
2 Comments
Lucia Oakes
13/4/2022 05:55:15 pm
Brilliant! Well done to all!
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Kate
14/4/2022 07:46:12 am
Thank you :o)
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