This is mounted on a post-war Coventry Climax trailer (Shhh!) slightly modified to accommodate the pump, and painted grey, so it’s all right.
- Photos from the Severn Valley Railway July 6, 2017We have been sent some magnificent photos from a professional photographer, Phil Lea, who was with us on the second weekend. In case you missed the previous post, we are very grateful to Mr Matthews for shooting this video.
- Foam testing December 31, 2016John and David went down to the farm to try out the foam branches. Armed with a few bottles of Aldi’s finest washing up liquid (about 30p a bottle), we got out the Beresford, connected suction to the test tank, put in some petrol and water, and then noticed a lot of condensation on the ...
- Photos from Papplewick Pumping Station October 29, 2016A small group took the K2 and Dennis pump, together with a Beresford Stork pump, and the Mobile Canteen. We informed the public about the dangers of the incendiary bomb, and then demonstrated the power of the pumps, running a fairly substantial hand-held branch with two ground monitors, both with 1 1/8″ nozzles. With thanks to ...
- Newark Advertiser photos March 11, 2016In preparation for the Commemorative re-enactment of the Newark Air Raid, the Newark Advertiser came down to our storage facility to take some publicity photos. As it happens, a building had just been demolished, so we had the perfect backdrop. Lewis, Richard and I got the Beresford Stork to work.
- NFS in training at Papplewick November 3, 2015Over the weekend of 10th / 11th October 1945, a small contingent of the NFS went to Papplewick Pumping Station for a small training exercise, and gained some useful experience with pump and hose drill. Whilst there, we found ourselves remembering the dark days of the Battle of Britain 5 years earlier, and celebrating the ...
- Papplewick 2014 photos October 25, 2014We took a small crew and the Turntable Ladder, and the K2 and a pump. The TL was demonstrated, but without water, as it was a bit breezy on Saturday. On Sunday, the wind got up and we were not able to do anything with the TL. We also had the mobile canteen, which was ...
- Photos of Air Raid at Rufford, Sept 2014 October 14, 2014We have just received a report from the ARP wardens as follows: At around 2:20pm we received word from our colleagues in Leicester that a doodlebug had passed overhead, and was approaching us. At 400mph, it would be with us in around 10 minutes. We scoured the skies, and sounded the alarm. We heard it approach, ...
- Retford War weekend, 9-10 August August 8, 2014We are taking the Turntable Ladder, the K2 and a couple of pumps – the Large Dennis, and the Beresford Stork, as well as the Mobile Canteen. On Saturday, we will be doing pumping demonstrations and training, and hope to get the Turntable Ladder up a couple of times. On Sunday, the NFS will deal with ...
- Air Raid at Woodhall Spa July 21, 2014Somehow the Germans got wind of an important visitor to Woodhall Spa over the weekend of 19th and 20th July 1940, and mounted a hit-and-run air raid on the Golf Hotel where the VIP was expected. A lone bomber passed over a few times, dropping a mixture of High Explosives and Incendiary bombs. Luckily, the HE ...
- Pre-season preparations May 17, 2014Had a productive day today with Michael. Almost completed painting the inside of the Mobile Canteen, and then we went on to testing pumps. We inflated one of the recently acquired 2,500-gallon dams, with the intention of pumping water into it to try it out. The Beresford initially wouldn’t start, until we noticed that the spark plugs ...
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Workshop and Restoration
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2017
- 06/07 - Photos from the Severn Valley RailwayWe have been sent some magnificent photos from a professional photographer, Phil Lea, who was with us on the second weekend. In case you missed the previous post, we are very grateful to Mr Matthews for shooting this video.
2016
- 31/12 - Foam testingJohn and David went down to the farm to try out the foam branches. Armed with a few bottles of Aldi’s finest washing up liquid (about 30p a bottle), we got out the Beresford, connected suction to the test tank, … Continue reading →
- 29/10 - Photos from Papplewick Pumping StationA small group took the K2 and Dennis pump, together with a Beresford Stork pump, and the Mobile Canteen. We informed the public about the dangers of the incendiary bomb, and then demonstrated the power of the pumps, running a … Continue reading →
- 11/03 - Newark Advertiser photosIn preparation for the Commemorative re-enactment of the Newark Air Raid, the Newark Advertiser came down to our storage facility to take some publicity photos. As it happens, a building had just been demolished, so we had the perfect backdrop. … Continue reading →
2015
- 03/11 - NFS in training at PapplewickOver the weekend of 10th / 11th October 1945, a small contingent of the NFS went to Papplewick Pumping Station for a small training exercise, and gained some useful experience with pump and hose drill. Whilst there, we found ourselves … Continue reading →
2014
- 25/10 - Papplewick 2014 photosWe took a small crew and the Turntable Ladder, and the K2 and a pump. The TL was demonstrated, but without water, as it was a bit breezy on Saturday. On Sunday, the wind got up and we were not … Continue reading →
- 14/10 - Photos of Air Raid at Rufford, Sept 2014We have just received a report from the ARP wardens as follows: At around 2:20pm we received word from our colleagues in Leicester that a doodlebug had passed overhead, and was approaching us. At 400mph, it would be with us … Continue reading →
- 08/08 - Retford War weekend, 9-10 AugustWe are taking the Turntable Ladder, the K2 and a couple of pumps – the Large Dennis, and the Beresford Stork, as well as the Mobile Canteen. On Saturday, we will be doing pumping demonstrations and training, and hope to … Continue reading →
- 21/07 - Air Raid at Woodhall SpaSomehow the Germans got wind of an important visitor to Woodhall Spa over the weekend of 19th and 20th July 1940, and mounted a hit-and-run air raid on the Golf Hotel where the VIP was expected. A lone bomber passed … Continue reading →
- 17/05 - Pre-season preparationsHad a productive day today with Michael. Almost completed painting the inside of the Mobile Canteen, and then we went on to testing pumps. We inflated one of the recently acquired 2,500-gallon dams, with the intention of pumping water into it … Continue reading →
- 04/03 - Winter maintenance on Beresford and new DennisThe starter motors of both Dennis pumps have been overhauled by Whyatt & Sons in Stapleford. A nice job at a fair price. As soon as the paint dries, we will try them out. Meanwhile, I did source a set … Continue reading →
2013
- 18/10 - Papplewick this weekendWe are planning to take the K2 with the Beresford Stork trailer pump for the weekend, and the mobile canteen just for Saturday. We will have a fairly small crew, and will be portraying an NFS training session, with ladder … Continue reading →
- 02/10 - Status of the equipment – planned winter workVehicles Austin K2 ATV – Runs well, but would benefit from some cosmetics, such as a complete repaint (!), attention to LH front wing, rear trim strip. Austin K4 TL – Runs well, but fuel tank send unit is out … Continue reading →
- 11/09 - Photos of Rufford Abbey by Catriona SutcliffeCatriona Sutcliffe and Norman Brown took these photos. Thank you both.
- 02/09 - Rufford Air Raid videoYou can watch the full air raid here (low res) or here (medium res). Ian Beck has posted another video here.
- 31/08 - Successful Air Raid at RuffordWe had a successful air raid today. Everything worked out, after sorting a teething problem with the Turntable Ladder in the morning. We involved lots of other re-enactors, and the casualties looked great. More photos coming soon.
- 21/08 - Air Raid at Rufford Abbey 31 Aug-1 SeptIt is now less than 2 weeks to go, and we are starting to make plans for the air raid. We are looking for people to take part – we all had such a good time both last year, and … Continue reading →
- 24/07 - Lowdham Floods 23 July 2013Following extreme rain on 23rd July, Lowdham suffered a number of flooded houses. Possibly more than an inch of rain fell in half an hour over wide areas of Nottinghamshire. Lowdham, Thurgarton and Southwell were badly affected. It was different … Continue reading →
- 07/07 - Derby Fire ShowA substantial NFS and AFS contingent made its way to Derby Fire Show on the weekend of 15/16 June. Unfortunately the Fordson broke down whilst in a convoy from Lowdham to Derby. However, in the AFS contingent we had 5 … Continue reading →
- 10/06 - Air raids on Quorn station – disaster avertedThe National Fire Service successfully responded to the Air Raids over Quorn Station on the Great Central main line over the weekend, putting out fires in the railway goods yard caused by a stick of HE bombs dropped by a … Continue reading →
2012
- 23/12 - Make pumps two – Lowdham floods againIts been a busy week on the pumping side of things. With all this wet weather, Lowdham has flooded a couple of times recently. Last week, John and I did some commissioning on the Beresford pump that we have had … Continue reading →
- 01/04 - New uniforms acquired at Sheffield todayHad a lovely time at the Sheffield Fire and Police Museum memorabilia sale today. The NFS re-enacting group in the South East (Heroes with Grimy Faces) had some surplus tunics, including three in large, with trousers. I also picked up … Continue reading →
2011
- 31/12 - Winter restoration projects – Michael’s pump trailerToday Dan, James, Michael and I worked on the pump trailer. The idea is to adapt a red Coventry Climax trailer to carry one of our Beresford Stork pumps. So it has had new tyres, a serious wire-brush all over, … Continue reading →