Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre - 16th - 18th September 2016
 

Set to be the biggest event yet!

PRESS RELEASE 2nd September 2016


This September, 16th – 18th, Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire is set to host the biggest event in the history of the Bedfordshire Steam Engine Preservation Society. This year is special for the Society, being 60 years since it was founded by the late John Crawley and a team of dedicated enthusiasts. The Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre has become a well-established event in Old Warden Park since the move there in 1996, with this year marking the Society’s 58th Annual Rally.

To mark the big Anniversary the Committee decided to mark the occasion with a Showman’s Road Locomotive Special, where we are bringing together some magnificent examples of these engines from a range of manufacturers, showcasing some of the biggest engines built for use on the fairgrounds. Entered for the event are 35 Showman’s Road Locomotives which will be joined by a selection of 15 other Showman’s engines and tractors. The highlight for many will be the appearance of 11 Burrell Scenic’s, 3 Fowler Super Lion’s and the impressive Foster “The Leader”. These will be joined by other examples from all over the country, many of which have not attended the event before and a great line up of scale replicas from the miniature steam section.

The steam section has grown to over 170 exhibits this year with the special, and has some new other exhibits on show including Fowler Road Locomotive “Foremost”, Fowler “Black Jack” from the Boughton trust out for the first time in 16 years, and Rob Sharp’s Wallis and Steevens Roller No. 7844. This year 10 of the engines on show were built pre 1900 showing a good contrast to the three “new build” steam wagons built for fun. Several of the engines on site will be with stable mates from their working days, including 6 engines that once worked for the West Country firm of Anderton & Rowland.

For vintage fairground enthusiasts there is a change in the line-up this year including a set of steam gallopers, and a good range of fairground organs, including a welcome return to the Marenghi “Wonderland” and the large Gavioli “Munich Oktoberfest”.

There will once again be some site layout changes following the positive response to last years move around, so keep your eyes peeled when looking around. The popular Play Pen will return, with the chance for exhibits to show what they can do.

An action packed arena will feature the Welsh Axe Racing Team, The English School of Falconry, Heavy Horses and David Seamark with his fantastic Sheepdog display in addition to the parades of exhibits. A varied working area will display Steam Wood Sawing, Threshing and Stone Crushing, along with displays of milling and other agricultural equipment.

Buy Your TIckets online to avoid the queues and save a little in the process

http://www.bseps.org.uk

Are extra buses being put on the get from the Station to Old Warden?

Shame they haven't done it before. I attended last years event twice and from memory on the Friday when I went alone and using public transport, the nearest bus stop was Ickwell Green which is nearly a mile away from the site. The 74 bus runs hourly in each direction, I think

Old Warden bus
 

Correct, check out:

https://bustimes.org.uk/services/bed_1-74-_-y08

friday visit
 

I'm thinking of Friday and Saturday visits this year , anyone know if all the engines will be there on the Friday?

Nigel,
We are always there for the first day and the vast majority of engines are already in situ ready for the Friday morning. There's always a few arrivals on the Friday, but to me that's good because I enjoy watching the activity in the low loader park.
Stef.

Some were roading / low-loadering to OW from Haddenham last night, and many more will arrive during the week so you'll be OK for Friday.

There are usually road runs both nights - Friday to Southill, Saturday to Ickwell - more chances for some action photos.

friday visit
 

Many thanks , so a good chance i,ll be there two days.

For most of the times I've been to the Bedfordshire Rally, I've been on the Friday. From what I've seen, most of the attending engines (95% approx.) are already onsite with a few more arriving in the afternoon.

Several engines roading over from Haddenham and Ely area on Thursday. Most of the gang headed over on Monday but some of us have had other commitments hence the Thursday run over. Route will be Earith to St Ives, Papworth kisbys hut, Warsley, Everton avoiding burning straw, Sandy over the A1 then onto Old warden via the back roads. Will we get there before we are chased down by that big maroon thing with the built in sound system.

The RLS will be having a marquee display for the first time at Old Warden this year so come and say hello, have a chat, browse the display and buy a book or two�� We will have a couple of rarely seen engines making there first appearance at Old Warden and in steam outside the marquee. We look forward to seeing you there. Out latest book Traction Engine Archive 4 will be on sale with a special offer on all four in the series.

Ground & weather
 

Hello

Is there anyone there on site that can advice of the ground conditions? Here in Buckinghamshire we have had a lot of rain today ☹️ Hoping to be able to attend the rally tomorrow, but the driver of the family concern with the amount of rain 🙁

What engines are there already?

Many thanks

Ann

I've just come back from Old Warden where the rain stopped about 14.00 on Friday. The car park was totally firm on arrival, the grounds were fine for pedestrians but engine movement was still a little limited. There was a limited amount of late afternoon sunshine although by then the shadows were a bit long for many of the subjects for photography. You should have no hesitation in attending on Saturday as long as you can put up with the gloomy conditions predicted by the BBC weather forecast.

"gloomy conditions" ... but drying overnight, if chilly.

It rained loads until the afternoon which meant I had to spend quite a bit of time inside the large tent near the funfair. Great event as usual, but you know how British weather can be. Would go back tomorrow or Sunday, if I didn't have work