A NEW Year’S Day event at one of Burton’s most iconic attractions will go ahead thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers who worked around the clock to repair the site.
The Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is kicking off 2012 with its New Year Steaming on January 1.
However, it had been touch and go whether the event would go ahead as a problem with engine pipe work had resulted in a major challenge to find and fix the problem in time for the annual spectacular.
Claymills volunteers are used to ‘impossible’ tasks, but the problem this time was only found after days of digging 6ft under the ground.
One of the pipes which sucks in cooling water to the beam engines had corroded and a new pipe was needed.
Plans were made, suppliers were contacted and, as usual, money was scraped together. The team worked night and day to get the job done and towards the end of the work, temperatures began to drop rapidly.
The job has now been completed and the hole in the yard has been filled in.
A fresh load of coal has also been delivered and volunteers are now sprucing the place up and preparing refreshments ready for the big event.
There are four huge beam engines on the site, two of which are operational.
The other two are currently not working with feasibility studies in place to decide what can be done with them.
The volunteers including engineers, boiler men, woodworkers, painters, electricians, office workers, toilet cleaners and tea makers, all come together every Thursday and Saturday to make the site run for the benefit of the public.
The attraction features Britain’s oldest working electrical generator built by pioneering engineer Colonel Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton.
Volunteers explain the workings of the steam engines to visitors, who are able to help operate them.
During the event guests also have an opportunity to dress up as a Victorian or have a go at making models. The Victorian bathroom can be visited and children can see where they would have had their weekly scrub.
The event will also involve local members of the Vintage Sports Car Club, weather permitting, who be coming along in their treasured vehicles.
On Monday, January 2, the Derby Choristers will be paying their now annual visit to put everyone in the festive mood by singing Christmas carols.
Admission costs £5 for adults, £4 for concessions, £2 for children and £12 family tickets are available.
Proceeds from the event go towards the ongoing restoration and operation of the site.
Further information is available by calling 01283 509929.
