James Keyte
1995 Tour of Herefordshire
Fundraising for Herefordshire Mind
Story
1995 Returns to Herefordshire
In 1884 Aveling & Porter of Rochester built traction engine, works
number 1995. The engine is an agricultural tractor intended for general use in farming and is one of the oldest surviving examples. Research undertaken during lockdown in 2020 established that the first owner of the engine was William Townsend of Falcon, Herefordshire. William came from an extensive family of blacksmiths and publicans in the area. He lived his entire life in the parish of Sollers Hope with his sons taking over the business in the 1890s.
The engine is now owned and operated by the 1995 Association, based in Nottinghamshire. The 1995 Association has eight active members, one of whom is, by chance, descended from the Townsend family; William being his Gt (x4) Uncle.
During historical research a local retired clergyman, John Watkins, suggested that it would be nice for the engine to be photographed outside William Townsend’s former house in Falcon. This germ of an idea resulted in a plan to bring the engine back to Herefordshire in the summer of 2022 to tour its former stomping grounds.
It is intended to start the tour at the Much Marcle Steam Rally on the 23/24 July. Over the following week it is intended to tour places which have known associations with the Townsend family, including Falcon, Sollers Hope, Fownhope, Tarrington, Trumpet, Ledbury and Staplow before heading to Weston's Cider mill on the 29
July.
At each of our stops we hope to engage with the local communities. As well as celebrating the early history of the engine and its association with this area of Herefordshire, it is intended
to use the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for charity. Mental Health is a massive issue at the moment and we have chosen to support Mind Herefordshire charity.
We would love to meet you on our tour and hope you can support Herefordshire Mind. Details of the tour to be published soon.
A big thank you to all the individuals and businesses who are supporting the trip and have made it possible.
The 1995 Association