As the Thursford Collection is practically in my backyard I can tell
you a little about it.  It is a first rate collection of Fair Organs by
Marenghi, Carl Frei, Gavioli and many others.

There are immaculately restored steam machines ranging from
glittering showman's engines through many types of steam roller and
truck down to stationary engines.  There is an impressive, working
antique "merry-go-round" and the centrepiece is a huge Wurlitzer with
all the bells and whistles and lots more (even a Steinway)!   The
collection offers attractions for all groups and ages and the main
building is so well presented and skillfully lit that many people
gasp as they first walk in.

It is located on the A148 road five miles outside Fakenham in the
direction of Holt.  It's about 100 miles from London and public
transport is virtually out of the question but many tour operators
offer coach excursions there from all over the country.  The address is
"The Thursford Collection", Thursford, Norfolk, NR21 0AS, UK and the
phone number is +44 (0) 1328 878477.

For me, it has a different association going back to childhood.  My
Dad was a farmer and one of our immediate farming neighbours was George
Cushing.  George originated this collection.  As well as farming he ran
a few steam rollers used for road contracting work before the war.
When war broke out, Norfolk was provided with over 100 airfields and
George built many of them.  This gave him the resources to indulge his
passion, steam engines and fair organs.

In the fifties a small group of local farmers would gather at George's
every Sunday morning.  My Dad always took me along.  George would have
been up since five to fire up one or two of the steam engines.  There
would usually be a magnificent showman's engine ticking over silently
and he would frequently have a more modest steam roller 'in steam' so
that we boys could 'have a go' around the farmyard.  The latest or most
favoured fair organ would be proudly demonstrated but the talk would be
about wheat prices and 'foot and mouth' disease.

Word got around and the gatherings grew, first to dozens and then
hundreds.  Eventually George's eldest son realised the commercial
potential of the collection and built it into what it is today, one of
the most important tourist attractions in the UK.  For me, the magic
has gone but to most visitors it's a wonderland and well worth a visit.
If you go there and spot a shy elderly gent with a cloth cap and his
spectacles held together with Band-Aid, say 'Hello' to him.  That'll be
George, now 93.

By the way,  if you get that close drive on for a further ten minutes
and call in for coffee !

Richard Stibbons
Cromer, Norfolk
England