Its full steam ahead for Joe
Its full steam ahead for Joe
JOE Challis (86) is recognised as the greatest living expert on steam ploughing – expertise acquired almost from birth as he grew up in a family who worked on a large estate in Berkshire that relied heavily on steam power for its smooth operation.
He was placed in charge of a steam plough when he was only 16, and one of his big jobs was to plough up orchards to make way for Heathrow Airport. He also had spells threshing and steam rolling.
Joes book* contains many humorous anecdotes and is an evocative trip back in time. It includes rare archival photographs and more modern ones in black
and white and colour. PF
*A Life With Steam by Joe Challis, published by Finial Publishing on behalf of the Boxworth Steam Trust. Available from NTET Sales, 90 Devon Road, Luton, Beds LU2 ORL at £27 inc p&p.