Who's Who
President: John Sawle
Vice Presidents: Bill Carne, Bernard True
Chairman & Commercial Vehicle Secretary: Simon Tonkin
Vice Chairman: Martin Caddy
Treasurer: Richard Olds
Minute Secretary: Caroline Knight
Secretary & Trade Secretary: Keith Bryant
Assistant Secretary: Sharon Cann
Steam & Boiler Secretary: Dennis Warren
Model & Crafts Secretary: John Maben
Motorcycle Secretary: David Hicks
Stationary Engine Secretary: Chris Leverton
Steam Car Secretary: Peter Rugg
Vintage Car Secretary: Barrie Charleston
Tractor Secretary: Peter Knight
Miniature Steam Secretary: Peter Brooks
Health & Safety Officer: Richard Stock
Magazine, Heavy Horse & Rural Secretary: Penny O'Keefe
Entertainment Officer: Tracy Beard
Working Section Secretary: Alan Caple
Membership Secretary: Jenny Thomas
General Committee: John Jose, Roy Francis-Williams, Sonia Tonkin, Adrian Menear, Chris Vincent, Lyn Wright
Rally Field Director: Rex Curtis
Ass't Rally Field Director: Peter Philips
Steward Co-ordinator: Keith Wright
General Commentator: Alan Altree
Press Officer: Sam Brooks
Web: Alan Pitts
Steam Rally Camping: Sonia Tonkin
Vice Presidents: Bill Carne, Bernard True
Chairman & Commercial Vehicle Secretary: Simon Tonkin
Vice Chairman: Martin Caddy
Treasurer: Richard Olds
Minute Secretary: Caroline Knight
Secretary & Trade Secretary: Keith Bryant
Assistant Secretary: Sharon Cann
Steam & Boiler Secretary: Dennis Warren
Model & Crafts Secretary: John Maben
Motorcycle Secretary: David Hicks
Stationary Engine Secretary: Chris Leverton
Steam Car Secretary: Peter Rugg
Vintage Car Secretary: Barrie Charleston
Tractor Secretary: Peter Knight
Miniature Steam Secretary: Peter Brooks
Health & Safety Officer: Richard Stock
Magazine, Heavy Horse & Rural Secretary: Penny O'Keefe
Entertainment Officer: Tracy Beard
Working Section Secretary: Alan Caple
Membership Secretary: Jenny Thomas
General Committee: John Jose, Roy Francis-Williams, Sonia Tonkin, Adrian Menear, Chris Vincent, Lyn Wright
Rally Field Director: Rex Curtis
Ass't Rally Field Director: Peter Philips
Steward Co-ordinator: Keith Wright
General Commentator: Alan Altree
Press Officer: Sam Brooks
Web: Alan Pitts
Steam Rally Camping: Sonia Tonkin
Address
WESES
PO Box 66
Redruth
Cornwall
TR15 3WU
PO Box 66
Redruth
Cornwall
TR15 3WU
WESES Membership
The West of England Steam Engine Society has a main aim, which is to encourage the preservation of steam engines (with special emphasis on steam road vehicles). Membership of the society is not limited to engine owners, and we invite anyone interested to join us. Benefits include: Free entry to the annual rally; social gatherings during the winter months; and a newsletter.
Costs:
Individual: £15 (plus £2 joining fee)
Husband & Wife: £20 (plus £4 joining fee)
Junior (under 16): £5
Please note the joining fee is a once only administrative charge for new members.
The membership application form can be downloaded here.
Costs:
Individual: £15 (plus £2 joining fee)
Husband & Wife: £20 (plus £4 joining fee)
Junior (under 16): £5
Please note the joining fee is a once only administrative charge for new members.
The membership application form can be downloaded here.
The Beginnings Of The Society
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 Brae, 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.
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 Brae, 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.
