Who we are

Who we are...

The beginning....

The Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club came into being when in 1995 a group of engine enthusiasts felt that with all the other local vintage machinery clubs having a membership that covered all areas of vintage equipment collecting and restoration (with a leaning towards vintage tractors), there could be enough support for a specific engine orientated club. On Tuesday 20^th September 1995 the first meeting was held at the Bridge Inn, Shortwood, on the outskirts of Bristol. Some thirty engine enthusiasts attended and after some discussion the club was voted into existence. Suggestions were then requested for a name with The Bristol & South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club being the popular choice. Among those present that night was Eric Brain, the well known stationary engine enthusiast, who having experience of the early days of the Wessex Stationary Engine Club passed on some useful advice as to the initial setting up and running of the club. A steering committee was elected to oversee the initial months of the club’s existence with the inaugural AGM taking place in February 1996. The Bridge Inn became the meeting place for the club until March 2005 when a move to Coalpit Heath Village Hall provided a more centrally located meeting place for the members, along with improved facilities.

The club logo was the result of a members competition. It contains examples of the local R. A. Lister and Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works factories overlaying an impression of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Events…

The club was not slow in arranging or becoming involved in local events. The first being a Spring Bank Holiday Crank up at the Bridge Inn in May 1996. Also that year at the end of June the club put on a display at Wick Carnival with a crank up at Limebrook Farm, Wick, the following weekend. This was followed by a crank up at the Bridge Inn and display at Oldland Common Flower Show at the end of August. An invitation to give a display at Queen Charlton Village Fete was made in 1997. The club supported these events until for different reasons they passed into history. The club now displays at Frampton Country Show, Frampton on Severn which is held at the beginning of September.

The summer crank up at Limebrook Farm became the club rally where it was held until 2003 where lack of support from the general public prompted a move to its current site at Frog Lane Farm, Coalpit Heath. Frog Lane Farm also became the location of the club’s Christmas/New Year Crank Up. Unfortunately lack of space restricts it to a club members only event.

As well as taking part in club events, members also exhibit as individuals, and support events and vintage rallies both locally and further afield. To date members have exhibited as far as the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands .

Today…

Although still engine orientated the club’s members have a variety of interests. With around fifty members the club has a “family atmosphere” which can sometimes be lost in larger clubs. Our members can be found from Bristol in the South, North to Berkeley in the Severn Vale and from the banks of the river Severn eastwards to the edge of Bath , although we do have a few members who live further afield.

Meetings are held at the Coalpit Heath Village Hall (Miners Club) on the first Thursday of the month starting around 7:45pm. Guest speakers are arranged for most meetings whose subjects cover a variety of topics, not just stationary engines.

For a couple of views of the meeting room click on the following link: Views.

As well as the previously mentioned monthly meetings, Annual Rally and Christmas/New Year Crank Up, the club organises a annual coach trip to a venue that will appeal to the membership.

With members individually exhibiting engines at events throughout the year Public Liability Insurance (currently £5,000,000) is included in the membership fee.

Photos of club and supported events can be seen at: http://community.webshots.com/user/bsgsec

Email the club: bsgsec@yahoo.co.uk

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