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Haddenham Rally
Well in a weekend that so many have been cancelled it is good to see that Haddenham soldiers on even in slightly muddy conditions.
Apart from the roadways the bulk of the ground is in reasonably good - thanks to the limited vehicle movement happening. Many vehicles were managing to get on and off under their own power and tractors were on hand to quickly help anything which got stuck. The majority of the exhibitors seem to be there, in the steam section the major gap seems to be amongst the shinier ones with the kitchen appliances on the front - whether fear of the mud or electrocution has kept them away I don't know - but full credit to Keith Honour with Margaret in position and generating happily. Amazingly - possibly a miracle according to some - Chris Brighty (D-Type) arrived yesterday on his roller still in DAYLIGHT, something previously unheard of as he normally prefers to move around East Anglia under the cover of darkness. The vast majority of the trade stalls were there and open, one notable exception being the NTET stand which is there but not open. I understand the reasons for the volunteers decision but still think that it is a pity and that given a couple of days notice, I would have happily ran it for them since I'm there anyway. Finally one mystery, why was Terry (injectorman) collecting so much straw this morning? Has he changed his model to a straw-burner or is he plotting mass sabotage of injectors to keep himself busy over the winter! Tony |
Hats off to the organisers keeping the show going. Plenty of tractors and putting down of bark chippings , my 4 year old has taken a shine to the Wall Of Death and wants to go again tomorrow. Can't understand why the NTET sales stand was shut all day (poor show) The other book seller selling steam and fairground books seemed to be doing well all day.
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Can only echo previous post. And Frequent Flyer I'm with your daughter on this one!
Managed to walk around site without boots an without getting muddy. Well thought ought path from car park make what could have been an ordeal..a stroll. Some good original looking rollers there and an unusual Centre Flywheel Aveling with an interesting set up for cylinder block. Anyway to tempt folks along tomorrow here's a few shot. Might go back tomorrow my self. Cheers Well done to the organisers, those that brought exhibit and good luck tomorrow http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08001.jpg This is entrance from car park grass is surprising firm and even the muddy bit is firm underneath I managed to traverse the muddy bit in light shoes by stepping in the tyre tracks, no problem. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08006.jpg The line up http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08007.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08008.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08009.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08010.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08011.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08012.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08013.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08002.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hamth08003.jpg |
What mud
I also visited on saturday, yes it was muddy, but i got around the site in light shoes without getting muddy. as the day progressed the ground started to dry out enough to walk around, but it was difficult for engines to move about un aided.
thanks to the organisers to actually run the show when lots of other events where cancelled, Was sunday any better, |
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Rog |
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Terry (Srawcollecting injectorman) was collecting the straw to make a road way across the mire for us miniatures to make a dash to the ring. Saturday we made it with a little difficulty but today it was a real expedition with my roller only just making it to the area where lo and behold it rained again. The journey back involved an army of volunteers with shovels and ropes, Still we made it back and thanks to a friendly young Fergie driver we made it off the field and home. In 24 consecutive Haddenham rallies i have never seen so much rain and mud. Our thanks to the committee and better luck next year. |
Some good original looking rollers there and an unusual Centre Flywheel Aveling with an interesting set up for cylinder block.
That's my old roller! Aveling 4877 of 1901. (YA 1975) Utterly useless (as she's a single speed) on even damp grass! Good to see the old girl being enjoyed my it new ( since oct 2006!) owners! Watch out for the Ransomes next year! |
I arrived on the roller at the main exhibitors gate a little after 7:00pm on Friday and could see that there was no way the roller would get past the gate. The enterence is a short but steep climb and mud had already replaced the grass. I was directed to the lower gate and was met by Michael who explained the plan; drop the trailer, pull forward and reverse in the gate and I would be pulled across the field. I managed around 20 yrds inside the field then the roller went wideways instead of backwards, time to stop! The trailer was pulled onto the field and across to the peg then the roller was collected. That run across the field, being pulled backwards, was strange; the steering became like a rudder so steering to the right moved the headstock to the left. Keeping the front roll heading straight meant the whole roller meandered behind the tractor and sometimes the rolls went around and others they just skidded. The whole train was turned around for the last leg of the voyage so that the roller was pushed onto the peg with the drawbar exposed ready for later extracation. Emerald Rose had arrived at the 2008 Haddenham Rally.
Although the weather and the ground underfoot were far from ideal, we enjoyed the rally very much. I want to a very big THANK YOU to the rally organisers and volunteers for keeping everything moving especially on Sunday evening when much of the field was cleared, especially as almost everything had to be pulled off by tractor. Having got stuck at both the rallies we attended this year, I am worried that I might get a bad reputation! D-Type |
Had a great time at Haddenham, got soaked to the skin but thoroughly enjoyed watching engines getting stuck.
Full credit to the guys with the Fowler road engine, they were on a mission and only admitted after a great battle. One of the most entertaining rallies of the year. It was good to see my old roller "George" again. Messrs Copeman and Eagle take good care of her. JS |
The weather was terrible and there was plenty of mud. Amazingly there was a good turn out by the public. These Fen folk are a tough lot and a bit of mud and rain does not spoil their enjoyment
We had a great time and even managed to get round the ring on both days. Plenty of tractors on hand were able to pull people onto the field and later to pull them off. I'm not sure if Chris Pumfrey had to sleep on his tractor over the weekend because he was constantly at work either pulling someone on to the field or pulling them off. Many thanks Chris, we wouldn't have made it without your help! |
Having just got back from the Somme, it seems as if something epic has been acheived! Thanks to Andrew Waling for towing my little car off.
I think this year's rally was an amazing success considering the conditions, it really goes to show that Fen people are made of stern stuff. The support from the public on both days was great, and the local farmers really went out of their to help. It is pleasing that the event means so much to the community. I counted 18 tractors on site during the Sunday hour rush, as well as the vintage tractors doing their bit too. Indeed, Chris did not leave his tractor until late last night, having to get home to drive one all day at work! I don't think we would have had a rally at all if it wasn't for him, and the army of helpers. By the time it was dark, the site was successfully emptied, and nobody was abandoned to the tide. Who needs the big load at Dorset when you can see Ollie Owen's 2 John Deere's double heading Mr Eagle's lowloader. All so he could keep his engine wheels clean! |
it loked rather muddy from them photos
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Despite the weather we had an enjoyable weekend, got the engine stuck getting in, and out though! Well done to the organisors for keeping the show on! It was reassuringly surprising about the amount of public attending over the weekend. Lucky for us, we got out of the field before the afternoon torrent arrived yesterday.... The tractor drivers did a sterling job of extracting those in need of a tow!
Here's a picture of us on Saturday, nice four wheel drift.... http://www.steamscenes.net/ttu/834.jpg |
Simon,
How did you manage to keep the wheels clean? I have spent most of the day cleaning mud off the wheels of the Garrett! |
Strange feeling when the engine starts to go sideways. We did get round the ring both days but only by having a good run up. That and been towed off the site got the wheels messed up.
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I want to echo the thanks to Chris, Olly and all the others who pulled off the rally field. D-Type |
Well done and thanks to all involved, as has been said, we couldnt have got on or off the field with out the aid of the tractor drivers, (thanks Chris!)
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This shade of brown
It was at its worse when we got going and the mud came off the wheels and onto the flywheel I was glad I was driving. We went up Haddenham hill and the water came down, soaked through but still smiling.
Did DType do his rain dance thing like at Melford and Thurlow a few years back. It rained buckets then. http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8490/img0303cw1.jpg |
On behalf of the Committee I would like to sincerely thank a number of people:
The exhibitors who braved the conditions to allow us to put the show on, both for attending and for their patience and understanding while being assisted on or off the site. The farmers who were so helpful in supplying tractors and/or drivers, and the Vintage Tractor owners who helped out The public who turned out in surprising force to support us. The residents of Haddenham. We look forward to seeing you all again next year, 12th & 13th September 2009! Michael Pumfrey. http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/ttu/00004419.jpg |
The photo doesn't give a true impression of how muddy the engine really is.
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Not my rain dance - I'm a fair weather driver!:cool: |
Haddenham Rally
On Thursday 4th September at 0730am me and my other half moved my Aveling & Porter 8 ton steam roller, living van and water cart from Gt Chishill near Royston Herts to Haddenham rally. I got as far as Histon when i noticed that i had 7 leaking tubes so i dropped the fire, took the ash pan off and took the fire bars out and 1 fire bar only broke. I climbed up inside a hot fire box and started to expand the 7 tubes that was leaking. With help from the neighbours i got the job done a bit quicker. Once the job was done i put the roller back together and then decided to put what sheets i had over the roller and ready for bed. I had a lovely sleep in the living van. At 10.00 o'clock we left Histon for Haddenham rally. We was driving down 20p road when i turned around to see what traffic we had behind us when i noticed something lying in the road at first i thought i had ran over something then saw the water cart go over so i pulled the roller up as fast as i could jumped off and walked down the side of the living van and found that one of the wheels had broke right off and the axsle was sitting on the road and the other wheel was twisted and ready to brake off. I emptyed all the water that i had in it. The cart holds 250 Gallons of water. I was lucky because where i had stopped a man came out with his very old fork lift and picked it up and put it inside his yard. So i decided it was time to set off again for Haddenham rally. We arrived at the sight in the afternoon and i had to be towed though all the mud and thats where the roller sat all the weekend. We enjoyed alot.
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Darren,
Sorry to hear about your problems. The roller certainly looked and sounded good as you went past the 'The Three Kings'. |
And i got the tractor stuck with the coal on lol. Go me. Was a good weekend and had alot of fun.
Jamie |
here my photos from a very muddy haddenham steam rally :)
enjoy http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4987.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4988.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4989.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4990.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4991.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4992.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4994.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4995.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4997.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI4998.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI5000.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI5001.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI5002.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI5003.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/DSCI5004.jpg glen |
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