The Banbury Steam Rally @ Bloxham

The Banbury Steam Rally at Bloxham has been in existence for a number of years, and this year a new chairman and revamped committee decided that the event needed freshening up. It was always a good show and the new layout was overall a success.

Steamers lined up in the parade ring.

Fowler 19.5 ton ploughing engine, owned by Guy Debes of Derby presenting a winching demonstation.

Michael Davis from Avon Dassett taking part in a winching demonstration with his Fowler Road Locomotive built in 1913

Sunday morning, steam engines prepare for the day's events.

Fowler Ploughing Engine K7 'Linkey', owned by Mark and Andi Jones of Droitwich.

A general view of the show site on Sunday morning.

Fowler 'BB' ploughing engine built on 1918 owned by Mr John Garman.

NTET Training and Hands On Weekend

Just another selection of photographs taken at S.E. Davis hosted NTET Training and 'Hands On' weekend held 8th and 9th May 2010. All taken at Astwood Bank and at the Nevill Arms, just south of Astwood Bank.

NTET Training and Hands On Weekend

This last weekend, 8th and 9th May 2010, at the premises of S.E. Davis and Son, Astwood Bank, the NTET (National Traction Engine Trust) held a training course and hands on weekend for a number of students.

The weather of course was mixed but generally cold. Refreshments were provided during the day, and in the evening we all gathered together in the large marquee for food, drink and entertainment.

There were several engines of all types present, including those normally stationed at these premises.

There are some photographs on the facebook group page for the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, but I must also place a selection here for your enjoyment.

Easter Pre Season Steam Up

Further to my last post, here is a selection of photographs taken once the engines had left the yard. After a breakfast stop at 'The Why Not', the engines roaded on to the 'The Old Bull' at Inkberrow for lunch.

From there the engines followed the main road towards Flyford Flavel and 'The Boot Inn'.

(Does this sound like some pub crawl?)

By this time the weather closed in and we all made our way to 'The Wheelbarrow Castle' at Radford for a well earned rest, wash, meal and other refreshments. Now you know why the photos show living vans in tow.

Next morning, Sunday 4th April, Easter Sunday, the engines were prepared for the return journey to S.E. Davis, but not before an excellent hearty breakfast was consumed by all.

Easter Pre Season Steam Up

On the Easter week-end Saturday 3rd April, three engines left the premises of S.E. Davis, Astwood Bank for a pre season steam up and run out. Here we see the three engines at half way stop at the Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire.

The crew in restful mode on the green are, Miles Banks, Darren Wardel (Big Dazza), Sally Davis and Daryl Cave (Little Daz)

End of Season

The End of Season usually spells completion of events, wash out and bed up for the winter. Now that's just the engines, as for the owners and crew that is a different matter.

Sometimes things can drag on a little bit, for example me and Chris took 'Linkey' to a bonfire party at Maurice Allely's farm last weekend, the 14th November, and on Sunday 22nd November some of the engines will be in steam for a demonstration in conjunction with the NTET AGM.

However here is a small selection of photos taken by Matt Bisp of 'Linkey' at the End of Season' held October 31st 2009.

You can see more photos of steam and vintage tractors on Matt's blog.
tractorlad-at-the-steam-rally.blogspot.com

End of Season

Now here we are at 'The Moat House' at Coughton, near Alcester in Warwickshire.

Yet another shot of 'Linkey' and living van on the way to Coughton, but as you can see from the others, Chris is reversing the engine for parking for the night with Matt Bisp steering. Now Matt was not expecting to join us. He came to the yard in the morning to take some pics and I thought it would be a wonderful experience for him to join us on the run, so a seat was found in Bob Davis's trailer and he therefore came with us for the entire run.

The other shot is all the engines lined up before much merriment was had by all in the pub that night!

End of Season

Now one task that is always performed with the steam boys in what we call 'the end of season' steam run and social gathering.

There were several engines in steam that weekend of 31st October 2009. We left Davis's yard sometime on Saturday morning and called at 'The Why Not' on the Evesham road for breakfast. Following on from that we all assembled at 'The Green Dragon' at Sambourne for another social interlude.

From there most of the engines went onto 'The Jubilee' for quaffing of more ale, but Chris Beale and me took 'Linkey' direct to 'The Moat House' at Coughton as we were the slowest engine.

The photo is taken on the way to Coughton with living van and Land Rover in tow.

A Night to Remember

Now just before the Evesham Steam Rally, some of us met on Thursday 6th August at Wick, just outside Pershore in Worcestershire.
Fowler road roller, 'Jessica' was kept at these premises along with the trailer and living van.
The plan was to meet up on Thursday night, socialize for a while then get up next morning and prepare the engine to road direct to Evesham.
As you can see from this photograph, the evening was mixed. However on arrival later on, Big Dazza, Fiona and Little Daz had already eaten so it was time to drink, and drink we did in the rain.
Only in England can we adapt to the weather, so we assembled under a tree and remained there until time for some sleep.
Next morning I cooked the breakfast sandwiches whilst the other boys and girls got the engine ready. All my gear I took down to the rally field earlier and Dazza brought me back in order for me to join the road run from Wick to Evesham.

Somerset Steam Spectacular - part one

Well this coming weekend I shall be attending the Somerset Steam Spectacular at Langport.

On Friday afternoon I shall collect Mark Jones at Astwood Bank, then onto Little Comberton to pick up Christopher Beale.

We shall travel through Wiltshire to Heddington and Stockley and collect 'the unit'. That is the Mack and 'Linkey'.

This event we shall be working the engine with others in a field dedicated to steam and vintage ploughing.

Photograph from last year with 'Linkey' being cleaned by Chris and the Mack in the back round.