Phillip Minaar called in to say "Why has everything gone so quiet? What's going on?" and this made those of us who are in daily touch realise how easy it is for members to get left out in the cold. This at a time when a lot is going on! There are a lot of shows coming up, and while not all of us can attend all of them, either as exhibitors or as spectators, it would be good if all were attended by at least somebody from the society. Please remember when attending, to wear your CVE&M Soc name tag. It helps to break the ice, and who knows, maybe you might come across a member you haven't met before. Also, there's always the chance of somebody at the show seeing it and........"Oh you're one of those crazy engine types, now I've just got this old Fairbanks Morse Style A looking for a good home"!

4th August. Bredasdorp Megadag. I don't have any details except the contact is Jan Du Toit on 082 921 2823. Arthur is planning to be there. I understand that their museum of Stationary Engines has closed down, and the exhibits returned to their owners, or distributed amongst collectors. A great pity, but we can expect this more and more, especially with ex-Government assisted museums, so have your money/storage space ready, or don't cry if the stuff leaves the country.

11th & 12th August. W-Cape branch of the Veteraan Trekker & Enjinklub van SA Big Annual Show at Brandvlei Prison farm on the Villiersdorp road out of Worcester. A number of us are planning to be there, even if only for the Friday evening AGM at 6pm, and again for the Saturday morning. Last year there was a meal laid on after the AGM, and a good turn out of engines. The engines are going to be judged from 10:30 to 1pm on Friday for those of you who worry about those things. I'm not sure how important it is to be a member of that club to attend, I'm sure they would be only too pleased for you to come along (and con you into membership!)

24th, 25th, & 26th August. Piketberg Show. Peter Gildenhuys has come with a special request for as many engines as possible to attend, particularly on the Saturday. The show contact, apart from Peter himself (above), is Pierre Rossouw on 022 942 1327.

23rd & 24th September. Vintage Steam Expo at Nottingham Road. Contact S.A.M.Hewitt on 033 263 6032. Peter Boast is going, so is Mike Thurgood. In an example of co-operation, Peter is going to take up Mike's miniature Hot Air Engines, so Mike can exhibit them there. He is flying up, and would not have been able to do so otherwise. Peter says he's bringing back a bigger Petters after the show, and if it gets restored as well as his little one, we'd better all pull our socks up!

13th & 14th October. Villiersdorp Show. I don't know what's on there, maar miskien kan Oom Flip of Petrus Roux vir ons inlig. The contact name for the tractor club is Eniel Viljoen on 028 840 1104.

If you have anything to add to this or the next issue; an interesting project you are busy with, parts you need, another show you know about, please contact me at this e-mail address, or by phone in the evening on 021 859 2430, (this is also our manual fax number.)

News from here about the rare Clayton & Shuttleworth Trusty enging we are working on is that the sleeve is at last out of the block, a tedious process using shims and spacers, involving heating the sleeve, putting in spacers, and allowing it to cool. It took about 25 goes, before it had cleared the 15mm overlap, and then came out by hand. We have recently found out that an engine of this make and model won the Special Prize at the Cape Town Show in 1897!

Don't forget, Philip Gray-Taylor is importing the transfers as advertised in Stationary Engine Magazine, and keeps a good range in stock. Contact him on the e-mail above, or 021 5523247.

Philip (G-T) and I are working on a remagnetiser, along the design of the one serialised in Stationary Engine a few years ago. Some parts are made already, and Philip has the conductors of the correct gauge. Watch this space, now there's no turning back! Oh to be able to start my Deutz with the crank, instead of having to belt it up to another engine!!!!

A word about Veteran Farmer. After the disappointing comment in the Trekkerklub news letter of its 'heengaan', it's alive and well, and already there are Internet Only articles, which were not in the last issue, so please visit the site on www.veteranfarmer.com. It's still free, and crying out for more 'hits'.