Steam ploughing Hands-on Weekend in sunny Kent

Posted by Chris Graham on 11th January 2024

We report on the Hands-on Weekend organised by the Steam Plough Club, which took place in Kent over a very hot, early-September weekend.

Hands-on Weekend: Duncan Pierce instructs the students on the things they need to look out for. (Pic: Peter Love)

September 9th-10th was one of the hottest autumn weekends in living memory and it was against this sultry backdrop that the Steam Plough Club held its ‘Hands-on Weekend’. The event took place at Goblands Farm in Hadlow, Kent, with nine participants including Charlie Bartlett from Dorset – the only National Traction Engine Trust Steam Apprentice on the course. His family-owned Fowler BB1 Berkshire Lady, Fowler BB1 No.15164 WR7185, is making progress; it has been re-tubed and is having a Dave Eves tender kit assembled at Henwood Engineering in Newquay, Cornwall, as we write this.

Away they go back down the field at Goblands Farm, with The Mistress at the top end of the field. (Pic: Peter Love)

Also taking part was Simon Fermin, from Hertfordshire, who helps with the Shuttleworth Collection’s engines at Old Warden. There were two sets of venerable engines, and the students worked on with the Stanier/Pierce Fowler 8hp engines Nos. 2861/3195 which were working together.

It’s all a matter of learning the old ways when steam ploughing. (Pic: Peter Love)

The other set were Paul Ransley’s 1873 Fowler 12hp single No. 1908, The Mistress, with Bob Watts/Richard Wade’s 1914 Fowler BB No. 14213, Bob, which features two-speed ploughing gears, of course. This was looked after by Alan Brice who tutored various students during the weekend, as did others in the Goblands team.