Steam and Empire Weekend (19-20 May)

Get set for an exciting steam engine extravaganza at The Royal Gunpowder Mills during their much-anticipated Steam & Empire Weekend on 19-20 May.

Set in 170 acres of beautiful natural parkland, the Royal Gunpowder Mills fuses fascinating history with exciting science to produce an unusual and exciting day out for all the family, their Steam & Empire Weekend provides visitors with a rare and electrifying experience.

Explore the technology of steam power with live steam engine exhibits, which will be sure to blast the cobwebs away in supreme style. Discover Victorian life through military and civilian re-enactment groups and entertainers and even meet Queen Victoria for a history lesson like no other.

Established in the 17th century and acquired by the Crown in 1787, the Royal Gunpowder Mills has played a key role in the history of Great Britain through the centuries.

Reaching worldwide importance during Queen Victoria’s reign, this special weekend affords a rare insight with its exhibits and live events. Presenting between three and five large-scale steam engines and traction engines, there will also be about ten static and miniature engines for the crowd’s delight.

With round after round of engaging re-enactments, the groups will represent British forces from the Victorian era, including the Zulu War and the Boer War as well as a Boer commando. Staging several living history encampments, they will be treating visitors to drill and weapon firing displays as well as delivering fascinating talks and presentations.

In addition, there will be a model railway display and Queen Victoria will present a trophy to the best mobile steam engine from the parade – with all the action happening against the brilliant beats of a live brass band.

With a wonderful range of interactive shows and activities for both adults and children, all of the Royal Gunpowder Mills attractions will be open during the entire weekend, including the exhibition and film that brings 300 years of the site’s secret history to life, Professor Nitrate’s Mad Lab will provide fun for the children while the Rocket Vault showcases the scientific research that the Gunpowder Mills developed after the war.

Come and meet Queen Victoria and her private secretary Sir Frederick Ponsonby.

Exhibitors LIST

If you would like to exhibit your steam engine at the Steam & Empire Weekend, please download our Steam & Empire Exhibitor Booking Form...

SCALE	ENGINE	DESCRIPTION
Full size	Foden 1925	Foden Type C Tractor, Works No. 12300. Built in 1925 and tested as a half-track machine. After trials were not a success, it was rebuilt by Foden and sold to a contractor in Northumbria.
Full size	Tiny	1926 Foden C-Type Steam Wagon. Works No 12364. New to Edmund Devermish of Rayleigh, Essex. Contracted to a sprayer in 1935 and sold into preservation in 1963.
Full size	African Queen	1931 Aveling & Porter Steam Roller. Works No 14113. New to Bedford Town Council. Had previous owners, sold into preservation in 1965. Been with present owner for 25 years.
Scale 3"	Burrell	3" Burrell Agricultural Traction Engine. Built 1982-1989. Built to Plastow's design but fitted with a copper tubed steel boiler and redesigned valve gear.
Scale 3"	Burrell	Burrell Traction Engine. Built 1990.
Scale 3"	Patricia	Fowler N7 Traction Engine. Built 2001-2007.
Scale 4"	Ryan	Ruston-Proctor light steam engine, built 2010.
Scale 4"	Brittania	Burrell Traction Engine. Built 2006. Agricultural Traction Engine with water bowser and wooden drop-sided wagon.
Scale 4"	Rufus 2	Burrell Traction Engine. Built 2005.
Scale 4"	Nemo	Burrell Agricultural Traction Engine. Built 3003-2006. Built by the owner from machined kits. Exhitited with a scale traction wagon
Scale 4"	Little Beastie	Burrell Agricultural Engine. Built 2006.
Scale 4-1/2"	Simplicity	Wallis & Stevens Simplicity Steam Roller. Built 2012.
Models		6" Clayton Steam Wagon
Models		Model Toy Steam Engines

McCarthy 20/56 Hand-turned 20-note Street Organ

Two Hand-turned paper roll playing Street Organs. One 20-note and one 26 note.

Traders

If you would like to have a trade stall at the Steam & Empire Weekend, please download our Trader Booking Form...

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