Meet the team...
BSGSEC Committee
Chairman – Keith Whitehead
Vice Chairman – Steve Thornell
Secretary – Chris Shire
Treasurer – Rose Rogers
Rally Secretary – Wendy Newton
Committee:
Dan Thornell, Phyl Dyer, John Rogers,
Steve Rogers, Alex Shire, Ernest Mathews
How it all started:
The Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club came into being when in 1995 a group of engine enthusiasts felt that with the local vintage 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 20th September 1995 a meeting was held at the Bridge Inn, Shortwood, on the outskirts of Bristol where 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 (Miners Club) provided a larger, more centrally located meeting place for the members, along with improved facilities. The club logo, which was the result of a club competition, 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.
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 a larger club. Our members are from all areas of Bristol stretching from South Bristol to the North, Berkeley in the Severn Vale, 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. As well as monthly meetings the club usually holds its Annual Rally on the first Sunday in September - this year Sun 1st, a Winter Crank-up which occurs over the Christmas/New Year holiday period and an annual club day trip to a place of interest. With members individually exhibiting engines at events throughout the year Public Liability Insurance (currently £10,000,000) is included in the very reasonable membership fee.