STEAM engine enthusiasts in West Devon are delighted with the news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given further backing to the Tavistock based Robey Trust — this time to the tune of £9,700.

The trust, dedicated to the preservation, restoration, operation and display of steam vehicles and other historic engines, especially items manufactured by Robey and Co Ltd of Lincoln, has its home at the New Perseverance Ironworks workshop at Crelake Industrial Estate, Pixon Lane.

The charity is behind the popular Tavistock Steam Fair, held annually in June.

It is the second time the Heritage Lottery Fund has supported the work and aims of the Robey Trust, which was set up more than 20 years ago. In 1995 the HLF awarded it £85,000 towards the £110,000 project to build the New Perseverance Ironworks. The remainder of the money was raised by the members.

This latest award will help towards the fitting out of the new building and the provision of amenities for visitors, including disabled people.

Dave Davies, founder and director of the Robey Trust, said he was delighted with the grant.

He said: 'It means we can have a machine shop on the lower floor and a place to hold meetings, lectures, for people to do research, store our archives on the upper floor.'

Mr Davies said the HLF was particularly impressed with the trust's work to encourage young people to learn engineering skills.

'We want to make it viable for future generations to learn things such as turning, milling, fabrication, welding — which they can use in their own career and, hopefully, use to help preserve our steam engines in the future,'said Mr Davies.

However, there has been a financial setback for the Robey Trust, as it had to raise several thousand pounds towards unforeseen building work.

Mr Davies said: 'Unfortunately during construction, which is situated on the GWR branch line opened in 1865, the excavations for the foundations uncovered works associated with the Bedford shaft of Wheal Crelake mine.

'A substantial wall, probably of GWR construction, but with a loose backfill unsuitable for building on, had to be removed and the site made stable — at the same time, by coincidence, as geophysical remedial work was being carried out by Drake Gardens adjacent to the wall.

'This unforeseen work cost an extra £8,382, which was not budgeted for.'

But the trust is very much looking to the future, with the building work on the extension to the workshop expected to be completed early in the new year.

It is looking for more people to join its dedicated membership, which has 60 local members and more take interest both nationally and internationally.

Mr Davies said: 'Following the recent acquisition of a number of machine tools to supplement those the trust already has, further opportunities now exist for those who, by volunteering with the trust, wish to acquire or extend their skills in engineering and wood machining techniques.

'Other, non-workshop based opportunities also exist, in particular for an educational officer who can develop outreach work with schools.'

In the meantime, construction work being carried out by Steve Cox, is on schedule and will provide quality facilities and training opportunities for visitors and regular volunteers alike, when the trust opens next spring.

Further details of the Robey Trust can be obtained from Dave Davies on 01822 615960.