Events and Exhibitions
Remaining events for 2009
Textile Festival of the Three Shires 4th – 19th July
Celebrating the connecting threads of textiles in the area - Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire. See website for details www.textilefestival.com
Demonstrations of old crafts Various - see below
Bodging (the traditional craft of working with green-wood using portable tools including a pole-lathe to turn chair legs, etc) while another volunteer, will be working at the forge. You can help pump the bellows if you are feeling strong.
Saturday 18th July
Sunday 23rd August Saturday 19th September
Saturday 24th October Sunday 25th October
“Textile Trades of Poynton” Exhibition until 31st July
This exhibition is based about the textile trades that were connected with the village. From the Silk Mill to Girl Guide uniforms made by Bukta and hats dressed for Christy’s. Supporting the Textile Festival of the Three Shires
Stott Steam Engine running TBA
Experience the sights and sounds of this old mill engine in motion after being lovingly restored by the volunteers. It is planned to have the Stott Steam engine in motion over the 2009 season in our steam engine section. The engine used to power the cotton wadding mill in Hazel Grove. Check our website for schedule of dates.
Steam Days Various – tba
Check the website for schedule of dates when the engines in our steam section will be “in steam”.
100 Years of Lister 8th July – 18th October
In 1909 Lister's started to manufacture petrol engines of a vertical design known as the L type. It was made in many variations with different combustion chamber designs, speed ratings, etc, and produced anywhere from 4 to 6 1/2 BHP. Since then the Lister engine (and its derivatives) have gone on to become one of the most common engines across the British Commonwealth.
100 Years of Russell Newbery 8th July – 18th October
Frederick Russell and William Newbery setup their own business, the Russell Newbery Company. In 1909 they opened a works at Altrincham, now a suburb of Manchester. Frederick's father underwrote the firm to the tune of £11,000, equivalent to over one million pounds today. 2009 marks the centenary of the Russell Newbery company, famous for their marine engines.
Collieries Exhibition 8th August – 25th October
Explains the rise and decline of the coalmining industry around Poynton. Although Farming was Poynton’s original main occupation, coal was found near the surface of the land. Coalmining has had a profound effect on Poynton. The village would look very different if there had been no coal in the area.
Poynton Show, Poynton Park 29th August
Engine, stall and presentation of the Les Cawley Memorial Trophy at the show ground
Armchair Walks around the Collieries 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th September
From the luxury of a cinema chair enjoy a sedate stroll around the collieries around Poynton. Roy Dudley (local historian and one of the museum’s Trustees) will be giving an explanatory talk allowing people to understand the richness of the scenes before them. Pre booking recommended. Talks begin at 13:30.
“Turn the Clocks Back” closing weekend 24th/25th October
Events completed for 2009
Re-opening for the new season 12/13th April
The 2009 season gets off to a flying start on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Come along and see the many changes that have been put in place over the winter months. The museum is then open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday through to 25th October 2009.
Collieries Walk – around Poynton 26th April 
Join local coal mining expert David Kitching and the Rangers on a 5-7km (3-4 miles) walk round the Poynton area looking at some of the many relics of the industry combined with an opportunity to continue our journey into the past with a discounted tour around the Anson Engine Museum. Timings are for walk only - Museum tour is optional. Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm; Meeting point: the Anson Engine Museum, Anson Road, Poynton (SJ941836); Leader: David Kitching, Ranger Martin James and Peter Wood from the museum.
(Please wear suitable boots/clothing, Historical walk/event, Easy walking grade)
NB In the museum you can see the giant model of Poynton c1900 showing the collieries of the area - putting the relics you will have seen on the walk into perspective.
Twilight Engines Saturday 16th May 
The museum will once again be taking part in this International movemement by opening late. Many engines running with talks on how they work and engine development through the years. The scale model of Poynton c1900 showing all the collieries of the time will also be available to view.
The Craft Centre at the museum will also be running that day with demonstrations of blacksmith work and wood bodging.
Normal opening hours 10:00 - 17:00 then staying open until 20:00.
Extra day to see the blacksmith at work Monday 25th May
The forge will once again be roaring on Bank Holiday Monday when our blacksmith Rod Ellis demonstrates his skills. No additional charge for the demonstration, normal museum entry applies.
Morris Register Club visiting Sunday 14th June
Members of the local club are visiting the museum on the Sunday morning. If you want to see their splendid vehicles adorning our car park come along.
Fathers go free for Fathers Day Sunday 21st June
Once again the museum is offering free admission to dads and grandads brought along to the museum by their families on Fathers Day.
Geoff Challinor, Chairman of the museum said “My dad encouraged my interest in engines by giving me one to restore when I was only 14. This is my opportunity to say “thanks” to dads everywhere by making it a special day here at the museum. We intend to have several of our engines running that day to make it a really special Fathers Day. This is the fifth time we have made this offer and many dads make sure they spend their special day at the museum with us.”
If you want to join Geoff and the volunteers on Sunday June 21st, pop along between 10:00 - 17:00 to see the largest collection of engines in Europe.
To add to the atmosphere that day engines will be running; there is a special Fathers Day Fun Sheet and remember, if you bring your dad along that day - he gets in free! The shop has a range of unusual gifts and hand made cards to make all dads and grandads feel extra special. If you want to buy online click here. If you would like to make you dad a card or present look here for ideas.
The Craft Centre (with exhibitions of bodging and blacksmith work on the forge) will be operational that day and the giant model of Poynton, c1900s, is available to view.
Midsummer Mingle 24th June
Celebrate Midsummer’s Day and mingle with old engineering colleagues. The museum will be open from midday but most people will arrive for the barbeque around 6pm. The entry fee is £5 but includes a tasty Norbury Farm hotdog.
Since last year Don, Ian, Peter and Graham have moved the “Mirrlees” U Type to a fixed location at the back of the old museum outside the workshop where they will run it a few times for the Mirrlees contingent.
Also we have taken delivery of a full size model of Rudolf Diesels first engine and several other exhibits including a K major and MB 275 but these are still under wraps awaiting installation.
Lots of other things to see like Rod the local blacksmith at work and a model of Poynton showing how it looked in 1900.
Please pass the word around and Peter and the other Volunteers hope to see you there.
1000 Engine Rally
The annual rally at Astle Park, Chelford takes place over the weekend of 26 - 28 June 2009 this will be the 25th anniversary of this rally.
Being the 25th rally the Committee wants to hit the magic 1000 engines and set a world record of having the largest gathering of stationary engines running in one place. They have even contacted the Guinness Book of Records to be there on the Sunday to witness it.
Let's do our best to hit that goal and get as many engines as possible along for the weekend - let's get those sleepers out for an airing.
For more details about the weekend and all the things there are to see and do click here
The museum will have a stall at the rally field and will also be opening late on the Saturday evening to allow exhibitors to come over for their annual visit to the museum. There are 3 coaches booked to ferry people over from Chelford. If you would like to book a ticket for the bus please click here.
