Empress of Britain’ celebrates 100 year milestone at MEAL’s Steam & Crafts Weekend 2012
The ‘Empress of Britain’ Burrell Steam Traction Engine, housed at the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, will be celebrating a major milestone at next month’s annual event – Steam & Crafts 2012.
Built at the Charles Burrell works, Thetford in 1912, the ‘Empress’ is one of a number of star exhibits at the Museum. She will be joined by another 25 locally owned historic vehicles and over 30 crafts exhibitors, as she reaches her 100th birthday at the Museum’s popular annual Steam and Craft event which takes place on the Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August.
During the weekend, visitors will have the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of these wonderful old machines, as well as checking out a range of crafts and skills, many of which are experiencing a revival at the present time. The Museum’s 80 acre site will be buzzing with working machinery, demonstrations and plenty of live action, as well as all the usual displays, exhibits, historic buildings and the newly opened Abbot’s Hall, Crowe Street Cottages and Bury St Edmunds Settling House.
During the weekend, the Museum will also host its 10th Steam Engine Driver Training Event. This special opportunity teaches students the basics of engine ownership, maintenance and use, whilst encouraging them to work alongside experienced local steam engine owners.
Visitors to the museum will be able to talk to the craftspeople and owners of the historic vehicles whilst they demonstrate their crafts and engines, as well as checking out all the other attractions that the Museum has to offer. There will even be a chance to make your own poster on the museums original 1870 Colombia printing press.
• For more details contact the Museum of East Anglian Life on 01449 612229 or check out our website on www.eastanglianlife.org.uk
