THE Hereford and District Preservation Society traditionally makes a pilgrimage to the Waterworks Museum in Hereford on one of the first open days of each new season.

This year it was Sunday, April 14, sunny but bitterly cold. Undaunted, society members set their engines and vehicles out in exemplary fashion with, as usual, a great emphasis on the safety of the visiting public.

Amongst the many working engines on display was a Blackstone box-type 1½hp made in the 1930s. This is a very recent purchase of its owner, Ian Crum of Hereford, who was showing it for the first time. It ran extremely well throughout the day.

Made in the United States, a beautifully presented John Deere 1½hp hit-and-miss engine was displayed by its proud owner, John Newman of Leominster. John has spent a great deal of time restoring this engine to the splendid condition on display.

Society members Jamie Saunders and his father Clive are the very stuff of what makes preservation societies thrive. On this occasion Jamie, from Yorkley in Gloucestershire, was displaying a Petter rugby-top 1½hp engine which he had lovingly restored.

HDPS, as it is usually known, is a group of enthusiasts who are interested in all aspects of preservation including stationary engines, vintage cars and tractors and commercial vehicles, including military vehicles.

The club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8pm at Credenhill Social Club, near Hereford.

To illustrate the society's diversity, members displayed at the museum not just stationary engines but some beautifully restored vehicles and tractors.