Easter Weekend 2025

Easter weekend, 20th and 21st April, sees our Pumping Station open for the first time this year. Since our last opening, in October, we have undertaken significant maintenance activities in the Boiler House, The Beam Engine, the Gas Engine and in the Visitor Entrance Building. 

Further work has been performed to preserve and protect the Boiler internals and a successful hydraulic test (150psig) was carried out last month. This included the removal of the steam main expansion loop, located above the Electric Pump House, for an internal inspection. The horseshoe shaped loop was found to be in very good condition and was reinstated.

The Beam Engine saw an overhaul of the Air Pump at the Condenser Tank, the installation of a new priming water line and the replacement of floor boards at the top floor level.

Significant effort was applied to the Gas Engine River and Town Pumps and they are now both pumping water. In addition, a new air compressor has been installed to replace the existing unit which, although providing sterling service for many years, was due a rest.

Work is being undertaken by NWL to replace the ceiling in the Electric Pump House. The work will be ongoing for the next few weeks and  hence the building will not be open at Easter.

The Visitor Entrance building  has been remodelled and now provides much needed space for meetings and training sessions.

Therefore we are now looking forward to firing the Boiler, operating the Beam Engine and Gas Engine and seeing our Blacksmiths demonstrating their skills, all accompanied by the chance to sample the excellent refreshments provided by our Tees Cottage Tea Room team.

For our younger visitors we are also organising an Easter Egg Hunt over both days.

We are hoping for good weather and a bumper crowd to further enhance our historic site.