Welland Steam Rally 2010

Welland Steam Rally, a three day event was held on 23rd, 24th, and 25th July in the foothills of The Malvern's. This is a magnificent show organised by the Ross on Wye Steam Preservation Society. The weather was kind and the vast number of visitors enjoyed the exhibits, stalls and amusements provided. Here are just some of the photos I took over these days.

A general view taken from the Big Wheel with the Malvern Hills in the distance.

Another view from the Big Wheel looking down at some of the Showman's engines. There were some 17 showman's engines exhibiting this year.
A motley crew indeed on the cultivator. Mark Jones (in white) with 'Spit' and Rory from Somerset who crew fro Fred Thomas's ploughing engine.

A very rural scene, typical of the 1950's.

Saturday morning preparation of ploughing engines, Chris Beale aboard 'Linkey' with Fred Thomas's engine behind.

Another very rural scene, typical of the 1950's. Nuffield complete with binder.

Arrival of Fred Thomas's engine on Friday evening, aboard in Chris Beale with Nathan Thomas.

Evening cool down outside Mark Jones's camp.

Stourport on Severn 6th Steam Rally

The 6th Stourport on Severn Steam Rally was held at Coney Green Farm, Stourport on the weekend of 10th and 11th July 2010, hosted by Steve Crump and his family, aided by a number of his friends and associates. The weather was kind this year and there were plenty of exhibits and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Well done to Steve, Pat and George Crump.

Here is a selection of photos for you to enjoy.

A Display in the ring of heavy horses.

This is 'Little Daz' crewing for the showman's locomotive. Explaining to a small boy the principles of steam.

Heavy Horses in the parade ring.

The line up of steam exhibits in the parade ring.

A couple of steam exhibits.

Here is a small selection of period caravans.

This is the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club Stand that I exhibited with the help and assistance of Matty Bisp amd his family. The 1966 Ford 2000 Dexta belongs to me, whilst the two smaller tractors, a Wheelhorse and the International Cub belong to Matt Bisp.

Plant pots supplied by Ann Bisp the club's membership secretary and chef!

Dr. Busker @ the Annual Vintage Gathering at Astwood Bank

On the Saturday evening 12th June at the Astwood Bank Vintage Gathering held at S.E. Davis and Son, Dr. Busker and friends entertained us in the beer tent, and a good time was had by all. Dr. Busker has made some recent purchases of vintage cycles, and the one you see below featured with Fowler Ploughing Engine 'Linkey' are of the same era, circa mid 1900's. It is possible that bicycles like that were used by employees in their daily commute to work at Fowlers of Leeds.

Photos courtesy of Chris Beale (Maggot)

Photos courtesy of Matty Bisp.

Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally July 2010 part2

On Sunday 4th July I spent some time alone looking round the event, Chris was looking after the engine with his new friend!

Here is a selection from the tractor section.

Chainsaw wood carving was an interesting demonstration, 'Simples'.

Now this I found very interesting, a Rolls Royce Merlin 500 aircraft engine. Designed for the Lancaster Bomber, but this one never did get that far and ended up in Spain for civilian work.

They run the engines up and ideally you need ear and eye protection, but I did not so who gives a shit! The noise was thunderous!

At this event they have tractor pulling, but also garden/horticultural tractors have a go with a mini sledge. Its for kids but they do enjoy it.

Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally July 2010 part 1

On the weekend of 3rd and 4th July, Mark Jones, Chris Beale and me took 'Linkey' to the Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally, in Wiltshire. Its a lovely little rally set in fantastic Wiltshire countryside. However the journey down was difficult to say the least, Mark had a blow out on the trailer carrying the ploughing engine. It was the front inboard tyre that burst and it took the brakes out as well. Anyway, Mark managed to sort out the brakes and fitted the spare and we carried on our way. The blow out occurred on the very busy A419 at Swindon just north of the M4. Finally we got underway, and continued on through the loveley Wiltshire market town of Wotton Bassett.

The culprit!

The Camp

Linkey and Achilles

A selection of steam

A view from the footplate of Linkey. Now the history lesson. Look carefully directly above the commentary box at a stone grey cottage. This site was given up the US Army in preparation for the D-Day landings. George C. Paton, the notorious general who led part of the victorious army stayed and slept in that cottage and drank in the Ivy Inn just a 1 minute walk from there.

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.