Our final Open Days of the year took place on Saturday & Sunday, the 15th & 16th of September, and concluded a good year of events for the Friends of the Dragline. In addition to our Open Days, we were featured on the Springwatch televison programme and also an illustrated article about the Dragline, written by our Secretary was included in the Journal of AEMT of York.

We welcomed  483 visitors over the two Open Days. A good many of these were comparatively local, including a return visit by Drivers from the Knottingley depot of the Prestons of Potto haulage business. A party of enthusiasts arrived from Leicestershire and some visitors from China included us in their tour of Britain.

Our dedicated Stewards were on hand to guide our visitors and answer their questions. In addition to tours of the Dragline, there were videos of Draglines at work, from a time when there were many of these Machines active throughout the country. One of our Members displayed working models of Draglines to give our visitors a greater understanding of how the Draglines worked.

Another attraction was a Tombola, with prizes donated by Traders at the Hillhead Quarry Exhibition held in June on the outskirts of Buxton, Derbyshire. Our thanks go to them for their generosity in supporting us.

The weather was excellent on both of the days, which allowed our visitors to get maximum enjoyment of their time with us.

Many people also made a visit to the nearby RSPB St Aidans Bird Reserve and enjoyed refreshments at their Visitor Centre.