Cornish Steam & Country Fair (WESES)
 

Some pictures taken today at the WESES event at Stithians. First time I have been to the rally at this site. The runaround area is a really good feature for engine owners and photographers. Thanks as always to the organisers and engine owners.

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...5-DSC_1116.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...4-DSC_1042.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...6-DSC_0969.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...2-DSC_0972.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...2-DSC_0955.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...2-DSC_1124.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...0-DSC_1159.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...9-DSC_1278.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...4-DSC_1283.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...9-DSC_1317.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...0-DSC_1353.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...5-DSC_1382.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...0-DSC_1423.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...1-DSC_1447.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...5-DSC_1482.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...8-DSC_1515.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...8-DSC_1539.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...8-DSC_1589.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...7-DSC_1614.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...6-DSC_1642.jpg

Thanks for posting David, saved me an hour this eve. There were a number of Cornish engine and regular attenders absent, I'm sure for good reason. Also no fair ground, their choice not to attend apparently, due to not taking enough to make it worth while. I do have concerns about the long term future. I'm sure there will be much discussion in coming months.
Can any one shed light on the polkinhorne house mystery?

My 26 th year exhibiting and thoroughly made welcome and having a good weekend

Hi Ian, thank you for the nice set of photos. I am surprised that you have not been down there before as it is only about an hour and a half drive from where you live. When I had the Beemer I use to be able to do the journey home to Ivybridge in 90 minutes.

Stithians is a good site and at least it is an all weather site which is more than can be said for many others in the Westcountry. You were saying about the lack of Cornish owners, could this be down to the cost of moving engines and the fact that the WESES Rally is pitched between those at Boconnoc, Torbay and GDSF and there is only a finite amount of money which owners have to transport their engines around the country.

I believe that the problems with rallies in Devon and Cornwall is that we have some excellent events but they are spaced too close together and should be spaced out from say mid June to mid September with nothing on at the same time as GDSF.

It's nothing to do with money or when the event is held Tom.*sleep

No but it gives him something to write about as Tail Lamp Tom...

A lot of cornish engines do not attend for various resons, including mine (3816), she is home in the shed, gleaming and ready for our next event.

Steve.

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tth/14...2-DSC_1124.jpg

What make is this engine?

Just looked at the events website, which states " see showmans engines" generating power to the large rides in the vintage funfair, it also states 50+ full size steam engines, not a very good advert if no funfair !!!!

Keck Gonnerman

I visited today and have to confess I wasn't expecting much, having been disappointed in recent years.
What a great improvement! The organisers have really listened and made many changes for the better. The new layout seems to work much better and makes a real focus of the steam exhibits. Nice to find the working section and miniatures located near the action. The general organisation on site seemed better and much friendlier too. Even the main steam parade had a better atmosphere and a nice touch was to invite the public into the ring for photographs before the engine line up departed.
I really felt the organisers are doing their best to provide what the public want to see.
I'm sure we can all think of things that could still improve but I for one left very happy - easily the best really on this site to date. Thanks to all those involved that helped make it happen.

Sent from my PIPO Max M1 using Tapatalk4

Do they not still do the rally at st Agnes's anymore?

Do they not still do the rally at st agnes anymore? Or was the ages ago?

5 years, it's not a rally anymore either, that was deemed an out dated term. It's the Cornish steam and country fair now!

Keck Gonnerman and is owned by the Bawden family.

David,
Thank you,
A cracking set of pictures from a cracking good weekend. Two and a half days without rain - a record!
Thanks to all who supported the event, exhibitors and public alike.

Charlie D

I'll second that. I was on the gate all weekend and the public reaction was very positive with people going home happy having had a good day out.

Good to see Marshall 76751 out again

As the steam section secretary at this event i thank everyone who came along and supported us this weekend, there were a lot of changes this year and it was hard work, but it was great to pull it off :)

I must thank Treve and Lester, a huge help to me with looking after everyone, a real team effort all round

I won't comment on the usual snipers comments, no need to. I had nothing but positive feedback from those that attended all weekend, embarrassingly so :o so thank you all :)

Heres to the future

This was a somewhat recent import from the US and has been heavily modified to give a Brittish appearance. If we would have had a few spare dollars laying about it would have come here.

I've just checked that myself, and you're correct Steve. We will have to ensure that that doesn't happen in future.

I remember it now.

Had a brilliant weekend down at Stithians, well worth the journey, loads to see and do, heard nothing but positive comments from people all weekend. Organisers had done a great job and will definitely be back next year!
Mike

It's an unfortunate oversight with a carried over website. Unfortunately we don't have enough people to keep on top of all the jobs all the time

Despite this it is still up there with one of two top engine attending events (in numbers) in the West Country and a number of owners have asked to come next year for the 60th anniversary event which will include the 'Alan Thomas Memorial Road Run'

So subject to next years budget it could be a very good turn out indeed :)

It has a spectacular set of safety valves which keep you on your toes.

Better start booking the date for next year then. ''Engine Hill, here we come''.

A smashing rally and most enjoyable and friendly event.

We had a great time there with the miniature (4.5" Marshall)

If anyone has got any photos of us pulling the 4x4 around the ring on the Sunday I would love to see a copy.

Jim

It was pleased to find a selection of miniature exercise equipment

Hi Tom , thought you were coming to the working section to help out ? . We had a Brew on for you as well.How did you like the Steam Rally this year?.

Well did you like the Steam rally this year? Did you like the new lay out of the working section ?.

No its still on stithians showground

Thank you for your kind invitation. I would love to help out on the working section and I would like to have the opportunity to introduce myself. It does not matter which rally that I have attended in the Westcountry over the last few years. I have always received a warm welcome. This year I could not attend due to receiving medical attention which makes it difficult to drive or to walk any distance. Originally, I was scheduled not to be able to drive at all for twelve weeks. However, the NHS staff at Ivybridge Medical Centre moved heaven and earth to allow me to continue to drive and to them I am extremely grateful.

I look forward to meeting you next year.

Regards,
Tom.

It's great to have some positive comments for the event after the hate campaign against the Society that many of you will have seen on Facebook

A big change this year was to bring the main ring and working section more central to the site which seems to have been a success

There were 33 full size engines and 40 plus miniatures so in this day and age not a bad turn out at all bearing in mind that the budget is nothing like what it was 3 years ago so thanks to everyone who came along and supported

I tried to take some landscape pictures on my phone which seem to have unfortunately gone wrong, so here are some separate bits of it !

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0364.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0365.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0366.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0367.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0368.jpg

No more room in the tent!

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0369.jpg

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/14/015_0370.jpg

Looking at the photographs it certainly seems to have been better laid out this year than in previous years. I look forward to including it in my diary for next year. What are the dates please?

14th, 15th and 16th August 2015 I believe.