Restored by : Kevin Swann

Type : Steam Engines

The 'Felsted Belle' steam engine was built for C. Blewett, farmers, Cornish Hall End, near Haverhill, Suffolk. She was delivered in December 1916, and soon after requisitioned by the War office for bailing hay and straw.

After hostilities ceased she was returned where she worked threshing duties until early 1930's when she was acquired by Arthur Baldock of Haverhill. Here she carried out contract threshing, bailing as well as the odd job timber snigging using her wire rope on land clearance during WW2.

Returning to C. Blewett for steaming after Baldock's to finish their threshing contracting.

Acquired by Arthur Clarke, scrap dealer of Felsted (1955) who's father was said to remark 'that engines too good to scrap', she then attended the first traction engine rally in East Anglia at Saling Airfield in June 1955, and under Arthur's ownership traveled many hundreds of miles attending rallies in Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Sold as part exchange together with an Aveling & Porter steam roller in 1962 to the late Bob Pumfrey of Duxford near Cambridge, who returned her to Garrett Engineering of Leiston, Suffolk for boiler repairs to be carried out, she being the last engine to undergo repairs in the town works boiler shop. Following completion a repaint was carried out by Bob's nephew David Nourse. David subsequently became her owner in 1964, and she again began traveling to rallies throughout East Anglia, mostly under her own steam and attending almost all of the Thurlow rallies.

By the end of the year 2000 it was found that boiler work was again required, following a thorough inspection it was decided to renew the boiler barrel, firebox front tube plate and boiler tubes as per boiler drawing when new. This work was completed by Christmas 2003 where since she has received a complete repaint to as near possible colour including lining as new.

NTET, past president East Anglian Traction Engine Club, R.L.S:

Using a complete Vintage Paints painting system from etch primer upwards to finishing in coach enamel has enabled me to achieve a fantastic finish and gloss so that my machine will be ready to show shortly