Progress is moving swiftly!

Restoration News

There has been a fair amount of progress on the frames and parts that are to be bolted or riveted onto the frames in the last few weeks.  As we reported a couple of weeks back, the frames are now erect and bolted up.  These bolts are temporary to allow the squareness and levels to be adjusted.  Riveting has now been scheduled and this will commence in a couple of weeks with a hope for a rapid conclusion to the process. The work is to be carried out by some of our volunteers, led by Matt and Ben, who are taking time off work and giving their time freely to help out. 


The bolted up frames with the footplate brackets also added. 

All of the bolts seen in the picture are temporary and will be replaced with rivets.  There are also many more holes that will be home to rivets.
Other works that have been carried out include cleaning up of various parts that go between the frames.  These have been given a coat of bonder primer to protect them, whilst any bearing surfaces have been protected with oil impregnated bandages.

Sean Smeeth posing with some of the motion and brake rigging.  Later in the day he cleaned and painted the brake shaft.

The work on these parts is on-going and will be top coated before they are installed between the frames. Again there is plenty more to be done before too much assembly can take place, although this should not take too long in the scheme of things.

The brake shaft before cleaning and painting took place.

Sales News

During the Branch Line Weekend we braved the elements on the platform at Sheffield Park with our sales and information stand. Even allowing for the weather our efforts paid off handsomely over the two days.  We did loose a gazebo to a sudden gust of wind on Saturday, but there were no injuries so we left on a fairly positive note!  On Sunday the weather was less gusty and we did even better than Saturday. 

The gazebo with a minor temporary repair before the structural damage later in the day!

Due to the weather we were unable to get our full range out, but had a selection of items to sell.  We would like to thank all of our customers who braved the elements to support us. Our thanks also go to Andrew Waller who travelled down from then midlands to help us out for a few hours, and thanks to him also for the donation of some stock to sell on the stand.
The stand on Sunday was a little fuller and our customers were also able to spend more time speaking and buying, indeed we almost sold out of pickles and preserves!

The stock dwindled on Sunday!

To donate on line, please go to our BT MyDonate page:

 

https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

or use the QR code below.

PLEASE NOTE

The BT My Donate page will be removed by BT on the 30th June.  However, we will have another donations page up and running by that time! 

If you would like to make a regular donation, please ask for a Standing Order form by email to the address below.

Please also use this address for enquiries and offers of physical help.

thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

This Project is entirely self funded and relies on your donations and sales stand purchases for the work to continue