They
came to pay tribute as he would have wanted it - with blackened
faces but happy hearts.
It could have been a cheerless Strumpshaw Steam Rally this year following
the untimely death of Jimmy Key, its leader, last month.
But, for the thousand steam enthusiasts who stayed late on Saturday to pay
tribute in a special memorial service, it was a determinedly jovial
occasion. |
James Key
chats to Fred Dibnah on
his visit to Strumpshaw |
Surrounded by some of the 58-year-old's favourite steam engines,
enthusiasts from all over the country shared a chuckle as friends and
family paid tribute to the farmer and conservationist.
By the end of the service many of the faces, blackened from a day of
shovelling coal, were being washed by freely-flowing tears.
But it was the sheer number of people and steam engines on site - higher
than in any previous year - that no-nonsense Jimmy would have taken as the
biggest tribute to his leadership.
A total of 65 full-size and 54 miniature engines are taking part in the
three-day event, which finishes today, making Strumpshaw one of the
biggest and most eagerly awaited steam rallies in the UK.
Dating back to the last years of the 19th century, the ornate and
lovingly-preserved engines - which last saw active service in the fields
more than 60 years ago - have come from far and wide to take part in the
rally, now in its 38th year.
Alongside the engines are traditional fairground equipment, vintage cars,
bicycles and tractors and a museum featuring a mammoth 100-ton beam engine
with an 18ft diameter flywheel.
While the combination of heavy rainfall, heavy engines and heavy footfall
turned the Old Hall site into something of a quagmire on Saturday, the sun
made it out in time for the 6pm memorial service.
And, as more than a thousand people stood surrounded by his beloved
engines, it was Jimmy's kindness and humour that were remembered most of
all.
Daughter Becky said: “Dad was a colourful character and a little bit
eccentric but he always worked hard and had many friends from all walks of
life.
“He was generally always right - apart from when he bought paint - and he
liked to take the mickey out of people. I think it is that which people
will miss the most.”
Duncan Marston, friend and fellow steam enthusiast, said: “He wouldn't
have wanted me to pay tribute to him, he'd have wanted me to talk about
the price of wheat.
“Many of you here are steam enthusiasts, some of you are from the world of
farming, conservation and shooting. There's one common thread -Jimmy
touched all of our lives and we're here to celebrate that privilege.
“Jimmy spent his spare time improving his steam collection until it became
widely recognised as one of the best in the country.
“He was a hard man but always warm. He had a cutting wit but was never
malicious. Never ostentatious but certainly had style. He walked with
kings but kept the common touch.
“Jimmy was never afraid to have a go at something unusual. He had so many
things in his life. He was a tremendous host and would set any dinner
party alight.
“There's so much to say about Jimmy - he was such a character and such an
influence on our lives.”
The Vicar of Strumpshaw Vivienne Elphick said that Jimmy was referred to
as the Toilet Man because he was never afraid to get stuck in when there
was a problem at the rally.
“It is appropriate that we come together here to celebrate Jimmy's gifts
and character,” she added. “He never happier than when he was getting his
hands dirty and mucking in with everyone.”
As the service closed Jimmy's favourite engines, Princess Royal and the
Foden Steam Lorry, tooted a poignant and final farewell.
But as the crowds repaired to the beer tents to share their own
reminiscences of times with Jimmy his family vowed to return next year -
keeping his memory and the age of steam alive.
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While on a short steam based holiday in Norfolk in April we visited the
Strumpshaw Steam Museum and as none of us had been there before we were
looking forward to the experience. The museum was fairly easy to locate,
signposts leading us from the Norwich to Great Yarmouth road straight to
the door. On our arrival we began to wonder what we had let ourselves in
for as we could see no signs of a museum and although the grounds were
extensive, the car park was tiny. We followed the signs to the entrance
and paid our admission fees, what lay in store?
We need not have worried as what met our eyes was
quite unexpected, a cave of steam engines!
The museum is housed in a large barn which is
split on two levels. On entering we were presented with a well kept
Burrell traction engine and several Marshalls, these we were able to
compare with Victoria to see how Marshalls had improved (or not) their
design. Around every corner there were more engines, mostly well kept,
with evidence of recent steamings, in fact several were being prepared for
their annual boiler test which we found encouraging for a museum, as many
just keep their engines as static exhibits.
Apart from the traction engines there were lots
of other interesting items including a cinema organ on which period tunes
were played shaking the cobwebs from the visitors’ ears!
Outside we rode on a narrow gauge railway on a train pulled by a small
diesel loco which toured the grounds, on this trip we saw that building
work was underway to extend the museum, more power to their elbow!
To sum up Strumpshaw Hall Steam Museum is well
worth a visit, don’t be put off by first impressions; it houses a
wonderful collection run by friendly and helpful people. Look out for
their annual steam rally; the setting alone will be reason enough to go.
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