Part 1 of a tale of toil and teamwork…
As Kent was the county where Thomas Aveling entered into partnership with Richard Thomas Porter and, in 1862, set up the company that went on to become the most prolific builder of steam rollers in the world, it seems appropriate that two of their engines should end up being named after the legendary brothers.
This is the story of how one of these rollers was saved and later fully restored by a friend of the owner, who had been bequeathed the roller following his death, and with the help of a team of friends.