We're bringing Queen Mary down on Saturday morning. Finger's crossed it stays dry......me thinks it won't! :-( Still I'm sure we'll all have a lot of fun!
Neil

think the forecast is showers and windy ...still, the wind may keep the ground a bit firmer *wishful thinking*..and it wouldnt be a summer rally unless it was wet or scorching hot would it..heehee...sure it will still be great tho..im not too far from the site here and the weather is really sunny and hot at the moment, just a bit of breeze but as im on the coast it may well be stiller inland...blue sky with barely a cloud!!!thumbsup

Hiya
I need a contact phone number for a rally organiser ASAP!!!
We've had a major chance of plans an would like to bring the 3" Fowler allong for the day tomorrow. Can someone pm me ASAP!!!

Many thanks

Wizz

Have pm'd you

Liz
(Mike's Mum)

Well the rally is half way through and if the first half is anything to go by, I'm deffinately coming back next year.

It's fab and such a great atmosphere.

If anyone is about tomorrow I recomend you come along.
Happy steaming
;-)

Hear Hear. A great start. Report and pictures in the show report forum tomorrow night.

Had an excellent day,just like rallies used to be! Friendly and well organised and fun arena events.Lots of positive comments from many people we spoke to.Hope it all goes ahead next year, we will definitely be back!

:oJust by way of, I hope , constructive comment, the only downside I was aware of (on behalf of model steam, not ourselves) was the separate camping regarding steam exhibits.I do appreciate the reasons for separate fields, but with the smaller steam, if they fail to get steam up or have other problems it could mean they are stuck in the camping field all day.Also they do need a lot of 'gubbins' around them to keep them steaming all day so for the smaller scales its quite a trek back and forth to the camping field.(This is a real problem if they run out of steam on the rally field, and have to push the engine all the way back, they may be small but are still heavy!!)We were very appreciative that we were allowed our trailer by our exhibit today, as it doubles as cover from weather,allowing it to still be on display... otherwise visitors would just have seen a tarpaulin! and we would have been sitting in the car park for shelter.(also, as im hobbling about on a cast, it made a huge difference to me ...so many thanks for that :-))

but as i said..hats off to the organisers...a great showthumbsup

This was an absolutely faultless first event with every form of road steam represented and maybe the most detailed printed programme I've come across this year. The showfield was packed with exhibits, trade stands were situated where they didn't become intrusive and - best of all - the Sussex Club had insisted on a separate camping field so that the engine lines didn't resemble a sort of canvas shanty town.And if you wanted a chance to steer Lord Roberts a mere £2 charitable donation was all that was required..

This is what events used to be like and should be like today but, sadly, all too rarely are.

I agree, but to be fair, the full size did have modern caravans, vehicles and a few tents with their engines...but i do appreciate the reasons for separate fields.The ideal would be as it used to be at the first Ringmer shows, with SOME camping just behind ie..fairground/trade stands (around the edge)so out of sight but still on the field.I know it depends on lots of factors though.It was just an observation in defence of the model steamers.(They weren't complaining as far as i know, but i could see their problems)

i agree about the programme, very well produced and worth buying :-)

Very well done Sussex steamers, good venue, good program, good line up of steam and other items. Jusy hope todays weather has not left you nursing a loss.

What a great Show! Shame about Sunday's weather. Great engines, great arena activities (like the old days). Assuming the show will be on next year, we will be back and hopefully bring another engine along too.

Well done to the organisers for a great first attempt!

fantastic weekend, and it was well worth going to. well done to thr organizers.

Made a visit on Saturday with intentions to see an old lady “Lucy May” that I had associations with years back, was overwhelmed by the friendly hospitality that we received. With the exception of the big man driving the big Mac no one new me, it was fantastic to be welcomed into your fold, no questions of my pedigree only purer hospitality was shown all-round.
A GREAT show just like they were in the 1960-70’s, a rally run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts; I sincerely hope that this is the first of many more.
Give yourselves a big pat on the back or better still a few pints of that excellent Sussex bitter that had to be sampled!!!

Magnificent achievement

Kevin

Dial Post Rally
 

On behalf of the Sussex Steam Engine Club and Sussex Steam Shows Ltd (the official bit) thank you for all the kind comments about our first rally.The weather on the Saturday was much more than we could have hoped for and the "buzz" around the place was incredible. On Sunday the heavens opened but Sussex Enginemen are never put off by a little monsoon or two. The sight of a Marshall roller winching Fowler TE Black Jack,McClaren Boadicea and Marshall TE Annie at the same time up the arena in the pouring rain was a spectacle I will not forget in a hurry.
Thank you to all our exhibitors for putting their trust in us being able to organise the Rally in particular engine owners who had travelled some distance to be with us.At one time on Friday we had engines coming through the gate at 5 minute intervals.Other road users on the A24 looked thoroughly confused !
As some optimist put me in charge of the money I have now done the sums and can tell you that we appear to have covered our costs despite the horrendous weather on Sunday.Will we do it again next year. Watch this space !!!!!