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Events
Watch out for these upcoming events:
Southbrook Traction Engine Club - 50th Anniversary Celebrations:
Club president Gray Calder recently released the following information on club events that will be held during April 2008.
These events are in addition to the March rally, details that have already been advised.
The Southbrook Traction Engine Club was formed in 1958 and the foundation members held the first traction engine rally in the southern hemisphere on June 21st that year.
During April, over three weekends a range of events will be held with not necessarily the public in mind, but will prompt situations that will provide enjoyment and interest for steam minded people, that will increase the camaraderie that is building through out New Zealand and world wide making our movement so vibrant.
The calendar is Saturday 5th April 2008 traction field day to be held at Allan Familton's property in Rolleston. The focus of this weekend will be on thrashing and chaff cutting with other activities as well for engines. Allan's purpose built thrashers bar will be open from Friday night. Lunch and dinner will be available for a charge on Saturday, obviously the bar will provide a focal point for both nights. All will be welcome with plenty of room for engines, huts, caravans, campervans etc. On Sunday the 6th, if there is enough interest, there will be a short road run of 14kms to a local winery for lunch.
Wednesday 9th April for all those interested we will be meeting at the Coalgate Hotel approximately 45kms from Allan's, where there is plenty of room for engines and camping, and a meal will be available. This will be the starting point for a four day road run starting Thursday 10th April into Lake Coleridge and back around eventually to Rangiora and Ashley. The first two days will be retracing the route of the will known Coleridge Run.
Between 1911 - 1914 a major hydro power station was built at Coleridge which is an alpine village in the Southern Alps. This village was 34 miles from the nearest railhead being Coalgate. All equipment, stores and supplies were hauled by traction engines over unformed and unfavourable roads and often in extreme weather. Over the period up to 25 engine's ere involved at anyone time. By modern routes which follow as closely as possible to the original route, the distance is 57kms. From arrival at Coleridge the local villagers will have organised a cash bar and a country buffet meal in the local hall. This promises to be an excellent night after a day of some achievement. If required breakfast will also be provided at a cost. (Booking essential for the dinner and breakfast at Coleridge).
Friday 11th April we will retrace our steps as far as Windwhistle were we will take a slightly different route to Hororata. The Terrace Downs Golf Resort which is on the engine route , which is half way between Coleridge and Windwhistle. It is proposed to have a luncheon for those females who are steamed out and are keen to enjoy a different standard of Hospitality for a few hours. Once at Hororata there will be plenty of camping space at the Hororata Hotel where there will be the normal services available that accompany such an establishment.
Saturday 12th - we will proceed upon a day of 43kms via Waimak Gorge to Oxford. We will camp in the Oxford show grounds which is a very short distance to Oxford Working Men's Club, where an evening is planned. Drinks and a Buffet dinner will be available, also a band will be playing.
Sunday 13th - People are free to make their way to Rangiora or Ashley, a distance of 16kms or 20kms. Engines and interested parties will be made welcome at the Hawkins Family sheds and yard. There will then follow five days of much needed rest.
The Steamers Bar will be open from Friday 18th at the Hawkin's Family shed. Saturday 19th a short road run of 32kms return, to the Leithfield Hotel for lunch will be held. On the return to the Hawkin's, the Gallopers and Quo Vadis will feature in their final outing in New Zealand. The bar will be open and food will be available. No doubt we will end the two year visit of Tom and Anne Mayhew's Gallopers, the Coles family Quo Vadis and the previous three weeks events in style well into the night.
These events have been planned so that everybody can participate in one, two or all three weekends. There are no onerous days, so participants will have time to enjoy the engines and each others company. There will be many excellent photo opportunities and some reasonable hill gradients which will be slightly testing and therefore encourage a sense of achievement.
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Click for Enlargement
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