Jenny Jefferies Open Day

Jenny holds an open day at her collection in Ifield every two years and it is always an event not to be missed. Not only is it undoubtedly the best engine collection  in our part of the world, but it is also very much a working collection, as most will be persuaded to run during the day.

Many of the engines are extremely rare and this would be the only opportunity to see them run. It is also a very social event drawing enthusiasts from all over the country.

The weather had been wet up to the weekend, rendering the parking field too boggy for use, but on the day the weather gods were smiling favourably and there was a very good turnout.

Taking my old 1936 MG for a ride, I tried hard to make it to the sales stall on arrival but kept meeting people on route… Kees Fitters from Holland had beaten me to it and was checking out all manner of interesting items not normally seen for sale.

I was advised to check out a Hornsby sitting at the end of the ‘food hall’ (Jenny and her helpers lay on  splendid array of food in one of the barns). This carried an agents nameplate for Horsham Engineering Ltd, the same company that built the recently rescued water pump at Sedgwick park reported in the last newsletter. Several hundred engines were sold by Ruston Hornsby to Horsham Engineering Ltd (later Lintott) for incorporation into generating sets and pumping plants.

Our thanks go to Jenny and her helpers for such an excellent and well planned event.

Richard Amos