True Norfolk craftsman headlines Colby Show

82 year-old wheelwright shows restored wagons alongside fascinating display of models, classic cars, crafts – and a Maine Coon cat

Colby Show Day, Colby St Giles Church, Long Lane, Colby, NR11 7EE, Wednesday August 5th, 10am to 4pm.

An eclectic mix of unusual vintage vehicles and models, drawn from private collections and rarely available for the public to see, will be on display at St Giles Church, Colby, on Wednesday August 5th. They include one quarter scale agricultural wagons, made or restored by Norfolk’s renowned self-taught wheelwright, Brian Sarsby. Brian himself will be on hand, with examples of old wooden wheels, demonstrating how they are made, and showing some of his meticulous models of tractors and horse-drawn ploughs.

There are also classic cars, model railway engines and boats, one third scale hay carts, plus a variety of stalls including a tombola being run with the help of a Maine Coon cat – one of the world’s largest pet felines, which can grow up to one metre long. Visitors will be able to hold the cat and take photos. Wood turning, water colour sketching and jewellery are amongst other features of an event that’s designed to appeal to young and old alike.

Visitors will also be able to buy locally made produce and preserves and enjoy delicious homemade cakes and teas.

Brian is a true Norfolk craftsman. At 82 years old, he’s still rebuilding wheels. He didn’t even want the first wagon he restored – a farmer asked him to take it away. “I don’t want that old thing,” he replied – but he took it and nine months later it was fixed like new. That was 30 years ago. For the past few decades that same wagon’s been going to the Aylsham Show every year – it’s the one the Show President stands on.

Brian is self-taught. “Well, I just took to it,” he says. “I played about with a bit of wood, I suppose. That was a bit of a challenge, but that came naturally. Then people started coming from all over to get their stuff fixed – Peterborough, Scotland…..”

His craftsmanship and his fascinating collection of agricultural equipment have been covered in the press and on TV. Now he’s delighted to be helping out at Colby, raising much needed funds for the Church.

For more information on the Colby Show Day call Rachel Crampton, 01263 731093 or email rachel@elancaster.co.uk

The Colby Show Day is part of Open Churches Week.

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