Summerhayes Collection

Ernie was born in Prospect Road, Cove near Farnborough in 1923. He was educated at Farnborough Grammar School. It was about the outbreak of the Second World War that Ernie went to work at the Farnborough Aircraft Establishment (RAE) as a Laboratory Assistant. He was deferred from National Service and worked for the rest of his career at the establishment, rising to the rank of Scientific Officer.

He worked on many interesting projects including the ill-fated 'Blue Streak Rocket' which took him on many trips to Australia for test firing exercises. He was also involved in developing aerial photography for Ordinance Survey. Whilst working at RAE, Ernie met Phyllis, who was secretary to one of the senior officers. They married in 1965. Phyllis passed away in 2010.

Ernie had a great love of steam engines; in 1958 he became part owner with Arthur Mills, of Burrell Gold Medal Tractor No 3545 'Little Topper'.

By 2000 Ernie had developed problems with his hips, resulting in a hip replacement. He then found he could not get up to the man stand on the engine, so sole ownership was transferred to Arthur. His love of steam and fairgrounds started from seeing fairs on Cove Green when he was a boy. He was particularly interested in Noyce’s Galloping Horses which attended the fair. In the 1970’s he decided he would like to build a model of the ride. This is when he met Savage’s foreman Vic Walker to obtain a set of works drawings for the gallopers. When Savages closed down the bulk of the Savage drawings were rescued by McAlpine’s; however, they were not particularly interested in the fairground drawings. Ernie visited the factory before closure and Vic Walker offered him the fariground drawings that were left behind, and which otherwise would be burnt. Ernie accepted the offer and rescued the drawings, which included Switchback Drawings dating back to 1888, Electric Scenic Railways, Gallopers, and other tackle such as Electric Light Engines and Wagons.

Ernie started building the model Gallopers in the 1970’s. He was particularly interested in the carved work and set to carving the 36 Anderson horses in the five styles on the Noyce’s ride. In all he carved about 54 horses. Some were try-outs to develop his skills and others were given away as gifts or in exchange for parts for the model.

The results of his model making endeavours were astonishing and he quickly became recognised in Model Engineering circles as one of the best around. He attended many shows and rallies around the South of England. He spent hours at exhibitions whittling away and engaging merrily with the public.

By the 2000s Ernie's health started to deteriorate and in 2011 he had to go into full time care. Ernie passed away in 2015. He was a member of the Fairground Association of Great Britain.