Splendid
summer visit -
An
80-strong party enjoyed a memorable summer evening at the Strumpshaw Hall
Museum and tour of the estate.
Henry
Alston, chairman, organised the joint visit with the East Norfolk branch of the
National Farmers’ Union. It took place by invitation of the Strumpshaw Hall
estate.
And
the hosts, Kiki and Kurt Angelrath, family and volunteers, also opened the
museum to visitors too..
The
trailers, provided by Richard Hirst and Simon Daniels, were driven around the
contract farming operation, run by Mr Alston since 2007. Cropping included
cereals, parsnips, potatoes and peas. Mr Alston explained that sugar beet was
no longer grown despite proximity to the Cantley beet sugar factory, partly
because of historic headaches with weed beet.
Then,
the party went on a walking tour of the RSPB’s Strumpshaw reserve with Tim
Strudwick and three colleagues.
The
reserve, which has been much expanded over the years and now extends to some
800ha or 2,000 acres, was established in 1975 with the support of the late Jimmy
Key, of the Strumphaw estate, and Martin George in 1975. The estate still
leases some 300 acres to the RSPB.
It
now attracts 27,000 visitors a year and is home to some 4,000 wildlife species
including plants and birds. Mr Strudwick explained that removing scrub and
encroaching trees to the flood prone marshes was a major initial challenge. But
now one of the biggest threats to the reserve’s vulnerable eco-system is posed
by more frequent incidences of salt-water flooding – with fish kill and loss of
nesting habitat for birds.
On
the return to the Strumpshaw Steam Museum, which is also open on Sundays until
early October, many members rode the diesel locomotive, Jimmy, around the park.
The
splendid collection of steaming traction engines, plus early tractors and other
machinery was a further draw. And Steve, on the Art Deco Christie cinema organ,
was another hit.
A
number including Christopher Deane, retiring group secretary David Faulkner,
and the club secretary, Michael Pollitt, enjoyed the thrill of the fairground
and a ride on The Ark. One of only five in the world and built in 1934, this
fairground ride can achieve speeds of more than 30mph as it rises and falls on
the “five hill” track.
A
hog roast, provided by James Cawdron, of Stalham, was the fitting end to a
glorious evening. Chris Borrett gave the vote of thanks.
The
Autumn Steam Rally, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2
- (9am to 5pm). Admission £5. Postcode NR13 4HR or strumpshawsteammuseum.co.uk