by the Volunteers. Getting to the root of the problem
The huge root of the tree that had crashed through the Bodger's Shed was removed by the Volunteers.
Click here for full story of the Craft Centre and the offending tree.
Another Gold for our volunteers
Taking the total to four gold awards from the Cheshire Tourism Association, Jon Leigh picked up the award for "Cheshire Champion". Click here for details.
Season finishes with a flourish
The last month of the season has not been a gentle coast towards the finish but a hectic flurry of activity. Read here for details.
Tree planting ceremony
The first of 1,000 trees was planted on the giant model by the Mayor of Macclesfield. Click here for more details, more photos in the Gallery.
Media Appearances
Television
We had a visit from a family who were reviewing us as a "Family Fun Destination " for a programme on Channel M (Manchester). It is available on the internet for those of you who missed it. Click here, look on the left hand side of the page and click the one titled Fun For The Family, 22nd August. About 14 minutes in is our slot, after Chester Zoo.
We are really pleased with it and delighted that the family enjoyed it so much. A shame they spelt Geoff’s name wrong, but apart from that it was a great review for us.
Podcast
The museum is featured in the September Podcast by the local Ranger service. Click here to listen to the interview or download it onto your MP3 player. The podcast is 17 minutes long and our interview is about 4.5 minutes into it.
Crain's Business News
We were featured in the Manchester Business Newspaper (they do a feature on museums and galleries every month. Click here.
Prestigious Engineering Heritage Award for JCB Dieselmax engine
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has awarded its coveted Engineering Heritage Award to the JCB Dieselmax engine, currently on display at the museum as part of the Diesel Story Exhibition.
Click here for more details
Les Cawley Memorial Trophy
Geoff Challinor presented the Les Cawley Memorial Trophy at the Poynton Show again this year, to a delighted John Marsden.
Les Cawley was one of the founders of the museum. Very sadly, he died in July six years ago, but his memory and love for the Poynton Show lives on with his Memorial Trophy. “Les never missed the Poynton Show” said Geoff Challinor, co-founder of the museum. “and I thought he would have been delighted with this Lister D which ran faultlessly all day.” The engine was one of many in the Vintage Machinery area of the show.
Despite Geoff’s absence on the Saturday the museum was kept open all over the Bank Holiday weekend with engines running every day. The museum is currently enjoying its busiest season ever with visitor number up on this time last year.
This Wednesday, 27th August, will be the last of their evening opening occasions. The museum is usually open every weekend from 10:00 – 17:00 but during August is also opened on a Wednesday from 13:00 – 19:00 which has been a popular time with people who have their weekends tied up with other events.
Giant Crankshaft arrives
Several large engine parts have arrived at the museum over the past few days and have joined the gate guardians as furniture up the driveway to intrique visitors as they arrive. On 1st July this giant crankshaft joined these unusual pieces.
Extra opening times in July and August
To make the most of the long summer evenings the museum is opening on Wednesdays from 13:00 - 19:00 in July and August. Normal admission applies and engines will be running.
The Shops & Factories of Poynton exhibition will also be running until the end of July.
Midsummer Mingle - 24th June
To read how what we have planned for our Midsummer Mingle click here
That's my dad! 
When visiting the Anson Engine Museum in Poynton over the Bank Holiday Weekend David Day of Bramhall had a bit of a shock. As he was looking at the photographs and memorabilia of the Mirrlees Company (was Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day at one point) he spotted a photograph of his dad - Harold Day!
Busy Weekend in May
To read how about our weekend (including La Nuit des musées and visit from the Heywood Society) click here. More photos in the Gallery section.
Use the link above to get a free Adobe Reader if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents attached.
Arrival of the JCB Dieselmax444 
Wednesday morning we took delivery of the engine from the record breaking car and a fantastic stand (complete with model car and JCB engine) in time for the opening of the Diesel Exhibition on Saturday. To read about its delivery and set up click here.
Campbell gate guardian gets new look
The large Campbell engine that greets visitors on their way to the museum received a new look this week when it was restored to its original green colour. For more details about the Campbell read here.
A-frame steam engine now on display
This beautiful example (make unknown, built c1830) is now part of the Steam Section at the museum. Originally used at nearby Adlington Hall to drive a straw & hay cutter for the stables, it has spent the past few years being rallied around the country by one of the museum Trustees, Geoff Baker. The plan is to have the engine in steam but at present it is not running. More pictures in our Gallery area.
Also in the steam section is the Fowler Beam Engine (on loan from the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery), model steam engines and the giant Stott Steam Engine that is being lovingly restored by the volunteers.
"Drive It Day" Sunday 20th April
Sunday April 20th is "Drive It Day" organised by the Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs when owners of old vehicles are encouraged to get out and use them. The North West Centre of the MG Car Club will be congregating at the Anson Engine Museum on Sunday afternoon as the culmination of their drive out as part of this national celebration. There is likely to be 10-12 of these lovely old cars in the car park that afternoon - let's hope the sun shines so the cars and owners can be shown off to their best.
The museum has already hosted several club visits this year already (see the Gallery/Club Visit section) and continues to be a popular venue for clubs from around the country.
Restoration work on the MAN Diesel
In preparation for the Diesel Exhbition some of our volunteers have been working on the MAN vertical diesel engine. More details will be published soon (and photographs can be found in the Gallery) but we wanted to share this one which seems to have the ghost of Rudolf Diesel keeping an eye on progress.
Happy couple do not forget the museum on the
ir big day
Emma and James Rackham were married on Saturday 22nd March. The guests had a sweep on how long the speeches would take and £40 was raised for the person who guessed closest. The winner generously offered to donate the prize money to the bride's favourite charity and Emma wasted no time in naming the museum. Many thanks for the donation and very best wishes for the future to the happy couple.
Snow and a generous donation kick off the season 
Read about the snow covered start to our season and the gift of a motorised scooter from the North West Stationary Engine Association. Click here.
'Twas the night before Easter and all through the museum ...
Engines were lubricated, floors were swept and brass plates polished. Read about our efforts to get things up and running in this tale of restoring an O type Gardner and also below in the working weekend item.
We are looking forward to welcoming you for the new season. We have engines rebuilt and ready to run for you - some that haven't been run for 50 years.
Gardner O type ready for the season, click here for details. UPDATED
Walker Crisps offer 2 for 1 entry to museum 
We are being featured in the new "Brit Trips" promotion being run by Walkers Crisps to offer days out vouchers. Their plan is to "team up with some of the best British names to bring you fantastic offers on thousands of different ‘home grown’ days out, trips, attractions, holidays and more!"
For more details on the offer click here or see offer on crisps packets.
Mirrlees No1 now upright 
In preparation for it being installed in our Diesel Exhibition Mirrlees No 1 (the first diesel engine ever to be made in Great Britain and the third ever made in the world) was lifted into an upright position. Click here for more details/photos.
Use the link above to get a free Adobe Reader if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents attached.
Progress made during working weekend
Many of our Friends and Volunteers turned up on the last weekend in February to help us get the museum in tip-top shape for the start of our season. As well as many of the cleaning/painting jobs that need attention a lot of progress was made getting various engines ready for running over the summer. Attached are some details of these and recent additions. Use the free Adobe Reader link above if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents.
Annual maintenance of the Crossley Atmospheric
First running of the Oldest Known National Gas Engine
O Type Gardner from Dion Houghton
Brotherhood Air Compressor
Piano Base, Slide Valve Crossley
We are having another working weekend early March. If you would like to join us please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on p.wood83@ntlworld.com for full details.
Free video to whet your appetite
While preparing for our Diesel Exhibition one of the things we have come across is a terrific archive site that contains lots of documents that will prove of interest to engine enthusiasts and, in particular, some archive footage that is free to view and dowload. Press HERE to connect to the Prelinger Archives and view The Diesel Story (approx 20 mins). It traces the development of the diesel from the Otto 'SILENT' gas engine of 1877, through Rudolph Diesel's engine, to the machines that now drive ships, trains, tractors, trucks and cars.
Remember we have some of the early atmospheric engines running here at the museum and the Crossley horizontal it shows (about 3.5 minutes into the film) is on display here too.
More news of our Diesel Exhibition will appear soon, see EVENTS for the details so far. 
We have been asked to highlight the link to our Gardner 4T5 jigsaw that we originally sent out last April. We hope you enjoy completing it. The record for assembly to date is 4 minutes 29 seconds for this 50 piece puzzle. Let us know if you manage to beat that time.
Click here to have a go >>>>>>>> (when prompted click Run)
Check out the museum shop where we will soon have other jigsaws available, some with 260 pieces! Shop>>
For some tips on using your jigsaw, click here. Handy to print out and keep.