aboutus

The Society was formed shortly after the first traction engine rally ever to be staged in Cornwall on Saturday 3rd September 1955. The event held at Coombe Caravan camp
near Camborne was organised by the proprietor Charles Gregory, along with local enthusiasts Jack Trounson, Joe Warren, and Mr Haynes. The event took the form of
a 'get-together' of engines and enthusiasts, the nearest full scale rally at this time was
over 200 miles away at Andover. The event proved to be extremely popular, with the organisers very surprised at the number of enthusiasts and members of the public that
had gathered.

Six full size engines and a steam car attended the event. The 1909 Burrell showman's
road locomotive 3159 'The Gladiator' resplenedent in gleaming paintwork and glittering
brass was a great attraction having been renovated by the Gladiator Club of Redruth.
South Crofty Mine sent their 7nhp 1910 Fowler road engine 11029, which was
unfortunately scrapped a couple of years later. There were two Garrett Steam tractors,
one built in 1918, 33353 belonging to Joe Warren of Carn Brea, and the other 33987
built in 1920 and brought down to the event on a low-loader from some 40 miles away
by Archie Dingle of Kelly Bray in the east of Cornwall. The remaining two engines were owned by Charles Gregory and kept at the caravan camp (both were built in 1904).
Aveling & Porter 5-ton steam roller 5541 'Bo Peep' has been a regular visitor to Society rallies ever since this time, mainly in the ownership of Char daughter Phyllis, and
indeed has only missed one Society rally that being 1973 when undergoing firebox
renewal. The single crank compound Burrell traction engine 2662, later to be known
as 'Attraction' due to the attention caused by this inaugural 'steam up' was the other
engine owned by Charlie and since this time generally recognised as the Society's
founder engine. The steam car was a 1906 White and a real credit to its owner,
Saxon Littler. Several models and miniatures were to be found including Wearne
Pearse's 3.5" scale miniature Burrell traction engine.

Due to the popularity of the event it was decided to stage a full size rally the following
year. This would hopefully encourage a few more enthusiasts to save some of the many engines that were still in working order within Cornwall from finding their way to the scrapyard. Shortly after the gathering at Coombe, a meeting was convened at Redruth
and the West of England Steam Engine Society was formed. Charles Gregory became
its President and Treasurer, with Jack Trounson as Chairman, and Vernon Carveth as Secretary.

The Society is now one of the country's premier regional steam engine preservation
clubs. The Society's annual rally has become one of the country's most popular and well respected rallies and one of Cornwall's largest outdoor entertainments.

Along with our annual Rally we hold various events throughout the year for our members, including social evenings, an end of season event called "The Blowdown"
and a "Steam Apprentice" weekend open to young members of the Steam apprentice club.
For more details of the Steam Apprentice club, please click on the link below.
The Steam Apprentice Club

The Society also has various WESES merchandise for sale. Please follow the link
for the full list .
WESES Merchandise

The West of England Steam Engine Society About Us