The Fenchurch Fund: 2021

Thursday 18 November 2021

A short update for November

A couple of picture showing a little of what has recently been happening.

Jim Painting the frames in top coat

The frames have had a "roof" of external ply fixed to them as some protection over the winter, when work is not being carried out on them a tarpaulin will also be attached. This will hopefully allow the work being carried out on the frames to be in as good a condition at the end of the winter as they are now.

In the picture we see Jim Turtle applying a top coat to the frames, this is the first of many! Each coat will be flattened before the next coat is added, and a strong application of paint will be created.

Freshly sand blasted and primed sand boxes

The four sand boxes were taken off site to be sand blasted they were returned to us having been painted in primer. The main reason for this treatment was to ensure that the corrosion inside the boxes was removed as the equipment we have at the railway would not permit this. Soon after arrival the boxes were given a coat of black undercoat, the first to protect them from the weather.

The sand boxes with their first undercoat

The sand boxes will continue to be painted up to top coat as time and weather permits.

Most of the work is currently only able to be done outdoors as the Villa workshop is not really suitable. There are some fairly major problems with the building (which was supplied to us as life expired over 25 years ago!). Some temporary repairs have been undertaken to keep most of the rain out over the winter, but it really does need replacing. We are currently discussing the requirements of the loco groups that use the building and surrounding area.

A temporary tarpaulin secured to the roof of the Villa

Some temporary works have been carried out to try to make the building vaguely useable over the winter. The first job was to place tarpaulin on the roof and secure it with battens in an attempt to stop the rain coming in through the many holes in the existing roofing material. A new layer of felt was applied a few years ago, but with the structure below being uneven and rough, this didn't last as long as expected, and again was intended as a short term solution. However, the roof is not the only leaky area, water comes in freely below the door and under the walls!

To try to prevent the worst of this a strip of rubber "garage door seal" had been added to the door opening to provide a barrier to the flow which results in huge puddles inside the building.

a rubber "garage door seal" added to the doorway

It is hoped that these measures will see us through the winter and hopefully until something more suitable can be done. More of this later.

However, without your support and contributions, we would be able to do nothing! We are 100% self funded and every penny counts. If we are to reach our target of getting the loco back into service your help is needed.

If you are able to help, please make a donation via the Bluebell Trust's own donation page at https://www.bluebell-railway.com/make-a-donation/

You will then need to select "P27 - Restoration of SECR P Class No27" from the pull down menu.

You can also visit our on line shop at:

Home | The Fenchurch Fund - Project 27 (square.site)

where you will find many items for sale, including clothing, gifts and some railwayana.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the project.

Monday 1 November 2021

Thirty years of the Fenchurch Fund, Who'd have thought!

I was reminded over the weekend that THE FENCHURCH FUND has been in existence for 30 years!

We were originally formed as the "Chip Wood Fund" as a tribute to Matthew Wood who tragically died at the age of 25 in June 1991. It was intended to create a lasting legacy and memorial for Matthew. As it happened, Fenchurch was his favourite loco and it needed an overhaul, including a new wheel set. So the die was cast, we had money from the whip round that was organised for a memorial and this was used as a springboard to open an "official BRPS fundraising group" known as The Fenchurch Wheel Appeal and later The Fenchurch Fund. We are now a Sub-Committee of the BRPS.

From this small beginning we assisted in the overhaul of Fenchurch by raising funds for a new wheelset as part of the required works.
Once Fenchurch was working we decided that it would be great to continue looking after the small locos in Matthews name and as a result PROJECT 27 emerged!
The Fenchurch Fund decided that sponsoring the restoration of SECR Loco No.27 fell squarely within the remit of the group and was a great option. The physical works are being carried out by the LITTLE LOCO GROUP at Sheffield Park. Every penny of the restoration is self funded and fundraising must continue to pay for it, it would be great if you could help with the aim of remembering Chip Wood and restoring Loco No.27 to working order in the next few years.

If you are able to help, please make a donation via the Bluebell Trust's own donation page at https://www.bluebell-railway.com/make-a-donation/
You will then need to select "P27 - Restoration of SECR P Class No27" from the pull down menu.

The Picture above shows Matthew standing on Loco No.75027 at Sheffield Park (taken by the late Gerry Butler).

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Friday 9 July 2021

The winds of change are coming!

Things are on the cusp of change, and if Boris is right we will be coming out of restrictions soon. This will mean that it should be possible for the Engineering Side of the group to get back to meaningful work on the loco in the not too distant future. It is hoped that the loco will be available for inspection during the Bluebell 60+1 event in August (this is to be confirmed).

We will be having sales stands at the Bluebell Railway Modelling Weekend July 31st / August 2nd. We will be located in the usual place upstairs in the Birch Grove Suite (above the Bessemer Arms).

For the Bluebell 60+1 event, we will be back in out usual place on Platform 1 at Sheffield Park, adjacent to the main Bluebell Shop. We will have the usual quality items plus a few extra items, and hopefully some of the new stock will have arrived by then!

The new stock will include T-Shirts in light grey (in all popular sizes), Mugs, Coasters, Drinks Bottles and caps. These will all have the artists impression of the loco in Southern Green painted by, and used with the agreement of, Matthew Cousins. Below you can see some mock ups of some of the items.

These items, plus others, will also be available on the on line shop (see link below). We will also be introducing a "bookshop" within the online shop. This is in the process of being set up, and will include mainly railway/transport books, but also one or two other titles that may be of interest. The selection is currently composed of donated books.

We are all looking forward to getting back to our hobby as soon as possible, and the sales stands (and my signal box turns) is the way forward! I know that Matt, Ben and Jim are excitedly gradually building up to getting back to major works on site! There have been many hours putting things in place so they are ready to "hit the ground running" once the signal is given!

https://the-fenchurch-fund---project-27.square.site/

If you would like to help by donating to the cause, please donate anything you can afford to help us see our efforts and passion come to a successful end.

A donation of £27 would go a long way towards our aim.
(with gift aid that becomes £33.75)

If you can help us, please make your donation on line at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/27

You can also give via standing order to the Bluebell Railway Trust (please contact us for a form) or regular payments via Virgin Money Giving.

We are a completely self funded group of Bluebell Railway Volunteers working hard to look after and promote the small locomotive fleet on the Bluebell Railway.

Thank you for your continuing support.

The Team

Tuesday 30 March 2021

End of March 2021

Well, it's been far too long since we posted about the restoration, and unfortunately, we are still unable to get to Sheffield Park to carry out physical works to the loco. However, the fund raising has continued albeit not so vigorously as previous years! We have had a steady trickle of jam, marmalade and chutney sales, this is from a table with an honesty box, placed outside a friends house. This is situated near St. Peter's church in Upper Beeding.

HOWEVER! We have now crashed into the 21st century and have opened an online shop! yes, you heard right! The shop can be found via the link below. We are constantly adding stock to the list, both one off items and some of the items you might expect to see on our physical sales stand. There are currently plenty of items for you to look at, and more will be added this week!

Home | The Fenchurch Fund - Project 27 (square.site)

We are hoping to be able to get back to working on the loco later this year as restrictions, both government and railway, are lifted. there is still plenty to do which will, of course need paying for!