Quiet

In the absence of any major news from the engineering side of the museum, I'm just adding a few words about other activities that run in the background. Over many months, the old station-keeper's cottage has been undergoing a big clear-out. Several of the members (one of them me) have been working through many moth-eaten boxes and bags, scrap metal and plastic, and other various assorted containers to prepare for a listing of items that will eventually (if all goes to plan) become part of a display within the cottage, in the future. Visitors are not shown the cottage interior because there is too much clutter about; but we can say that the living-room has now been cleared of all but a few small items and several floorboards repaired. Some further tidying up and cleaning of the front window (which has been permanently shuttered) will be needed in order to breathe a bit of fresh life into the room, ready for use.
The social history side of the pumping station has tended to lurk in the shadow of the industrial and engineering aspects. Understandably, most of our members' interests lie in the latter sphere; however, the pumping station building does have a voice of its own and we would like to develop this further. Being a fairly rare Grade 2* listed property, repair costs are considerable. Although many grants are on offer, our museum often cannot meet the criteria demanded and thus is unable to benefit from them. The task will therefore be a long one, probably based on a series of small projects that will be tackled over a lengthy time-period.

On a different matter; last year, during the August Bank Holiday period, the museum took part in the "International Pumping Stations On The Air" , an amateur radio event organised by Burton A.R.C. Our own "station" was set up and manned by the Weston Super Mare club and we are hoping to do the same thing again this year. More details nearer the time will be placed on the Events page.

Christine

Previous news for 2008 is available for reading via the Archive section in the navigation bar, left.

All newspages for 2007, including December's issue, can be downloaded (zipfile)here

All newspages for 2006 can be downloaded (zipfile)here

Photographs of machinery and buildings are © Westonzoyland Engine Trust 2008 Official Location Address: Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Hoopers Lane, Westonzoyland, nr. Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 0LS (Please do NOT send letters to this address, there is no letterbox!).
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