The Friends of Beamish Museum.In the Restoration Volunteers' Workshop.
We are presently involved in restoring the past for the future in our workshops and invite you to visit the Friends' volunteers working behind the scenes here at at Beamish. This section of the Website shows you restoration projects, both past and present, that The Friends have carried out for the Museum.
Summer 2010
SOS Bus - The SOS bus now has all its seat frames installed and the protective wooden floor treads have been fitted. The window seals are in the process of being fitted and we have recently taken delivery of a full set of lamps (head and side lights) to complete the lighting at the front of the bus.
The
lamps are being painted and readied for
fitting of reflectors and bulb holders. The
work of completing the cab grab handles
and the mirror supports is also nearly
complete. Shortly, we will start the final
paint work and the sourcing of the correct
transfer lettering. Once again the Friends’
membership came to the rescue following
our appeal for a suitable bulb horn and this
will also be fitted in the near future.
Container Boxes - The first Container Box is nearing completion and we understand that this first box will be used to hide the electric generator used to power the lights in the fairground which is being laid out next to Rowley Station. We can then use the completed box as a pattern to make some more to be used as a period load for transportation around the museum site.
Horse Drawn Sweeper - The difficult job of dismantling the Horse Drawn Road sweeper is now complete and the work
has begun replacing and repairing the
many components which make up the
mechanics of this fascinating machine.
During its previous working life it had
been converted to be drawn by a
tractor and the workshop team will also
have to construct a set of shafts to allow
the original power source to be used.
Adams Patent Elevator - The Adams Patent Elevator is proceeding slowly with the painstaking work required to repair/replace the numerous castings which are in very poor condition.
Solid Tyred Safety Cycle - The solid tyred safety bicycle is also progressing well. We hope to carry out a trial assembly soon which will allow us to make sure everything fits before we have the bright parts re-nickled and complete the painting and lining.
Working Cycle collection - The museum staff are keen to use the cleanest, greenest mode of transport in their everyday travels around the Beamish site. This happens to be the bicycle and we are assisting the curatorial team in the aim of having several period bicycles for use on site. We hope to commission/help to source several “mounts” for this purpose and hopefully we can help to maintain this transport asset in the future....
Workshop - If you have visited the
Friends’ Workshop recently you will have
noticed the newly painted road signs which
once again grace the walls at the entrance
and we are repainting the road sign next to
the AA box as well. Please remember to call and see us if you are visiting Beamish on
a Saturday.
Photograph: A job to be done. Using a stencil to paint the name and logo on a set pot.
With alternative description for non graphics or blind users.
Select a Project.
- Horse Drawn Ambulance.
- 1900 Humber Quadricycle.
- Motorcycles at Beamish.
- The J21 Locomotive.
- 1928 SOS 'QL' Type Bus.
- Hand Milk Churn.
- The Newcastle Cart.
- Horse Drawn Charabanc Happy Days.
- Sunderland Tram Number 16.
- The SHEW Car.
Why are Online Project Reports So Valuable?
All reports used here may have been printed in previous versions of the Friends' Newsletter. Taking advantage of the Internet it is hoped to add value to these by enabling us to:
- Compile a simple chronologically record of work online for each project.
- Add historical notes and Internet links.
- Create feedback of valuable information and comments about specific projects from visitors to the website.
This is a wonderful way of showing the full extent of the restoration work carried out by the Friends at the Museum. This should be of interest to many of our visitors whether members of not.
The Friends have many restoration projects in hand and are always looking for volunteers who come from all walks of life and experience. Traditional techniques are encouraged in all the work and volunteers benefit by getting away from the stress of modern day life and enjoying the spirit and fellowship of the skilled craftsmen of the past.
End of page.
Text Equivalent of the Photograph on This Page.
Screen Reader version for people who cannot see the image for what ever reason.
Photograph: Painting the Set Pots.
The photograph shows a man sat of the floor of a workshop. He is wearing blue overalls and a large light brown cap that hides his face as he looks downwards. There are three large set pots on the floor which has brown wooden floorboards. A 'set pot' or 'copper' is a hemispheric steel bowl about two to three feet across, which would be set into a concrete bench with a small fireplace underneath. Once upon a time most households would have one in the scullery or washhouse for heating water and to boil the sheets in the weekly wash.
The man is painting onto one of the set pots using a yellow stencil. Another set pot lies at the forefront of the picture. There are indistinguishable words and a logo painted in white on this set pot. A third lies partly hidden behind the man on the right. The background is of an old workshop with many shapes of machines and pieces of timber without much detail. TEXT.