Again this year, the East Anglia Section of the BMW Club had a stand at this excellent local show.

I had booked our space some months earlier in the year and looking at the forecasts over a few days, Sunday was looking dry - the best day for many days.

I left home around 07.30am on my BMW R75/5 LWB having packed a lunch .

The ride to Langford was on empty roads under a clear sky.

I was first to arrive at the site and didn’t wait long before other members of our team arrived.  Hugh & Heather turned up with the all-important gazebo and after unloading we erected the gazebo and banners and were ready for business.

The Show officially opened at 10.00am and by 10.30am there were many stands operating and a growing number of classic bikes of all makes lining up in the centre of the field.

Many stands are local clubs of various marques of bikes and it is always interesting to walk around looking at the many well preserved old classic from the UK, Japan, Italy, America and elsewhere.

I took an hour off to wander around and ended up in the steam engine room where at 2o/c it was due to run - I opted for an ice cream with Peter Dutton as I had seen it run before.  This gigantic 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine was installed in 1927 and runs like a sewing machine - smooth and very quiet.

It was originally used to pump water from the treatment works at Langford to Southend-on-Sea, the system of pipes and rivers feeding a large catchment area.  Today a nearby pumping house uses electric pumps to do the same job.

Next to the steam engine room is a large workshop which was originally run via pulleys and belts from the main steam engine - this still operates and when the steam engine is not working electricity powers the system.  There are also many working old diesel engines and other machinery which makes a visit to this museum an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

During the day we had visits from members of the Club and general visitors and Dik signed up one new member to our East Anglia Section of the BMW Club. Many others were given Application Forms and Journals so we may receive more in the next few weeks.

Bikes on our stand were R50, R51, R65, R69s, R75/5, R1200GS, K1, K100, R1150RT and R1200RT.  My thanks to all who turned up early to exhibit their bikes and help on the stand, Hugh & Heather for bringing the gazebo, Dik for his laptop to sign up new members and gas stove, coffee & tea and Ian for the table and banner he uses at Cannons for their launch days.

Overall an very enjoyable day.

 

Here are some extra photos from the day taken by Dik Langan: