TAVISTOCK STEAM FAIR A STEAMING SUCCESS
Hundreds of people enjoyed Tavistock Steam Fair on Sunday (June 1)
organised by the the town’s Robey Trust which renovates vintage
steam engines.
The event, in the Bedford and Wharf car parks, was filled with
families enjoying a fun day out, with a multitude of attractions along
with passionate steam engine fans.
Visitors were met with an assault on the senses which included steam
drifting over the crowds, piercing steam-driven whistles, hissing of
steam escaping valves, the smell of coal burning in the engine
furnaces and the chuntering and clanking sound of well-oiled machinery
and giant wheels grinding on the tarmac.
Other attractions were a dog show, circus acts displays, a mechanical
Punch and Judy show, a Steam Punk style morris dance troupe, a folk
group, hard-worked vintage tractors and highly polished classic cars.
Visitors declared the annual fair the best ever as it had the biggest
rally of nine engines on show (seven working and two static), with
families, especially, enjoying very slow rides in trailers around the
town towed by steam engines.
Jack Ayland, Robey Trust secretary, said: “This has got to be the
biggest and best of our steam fairs. People have been very
enthusiastic and the early feedback is very positive. It’s very good
that so many families and young people are here. We teach apprentices
of all ages engineering and maintenance on our renovation projects, so
perhaps we’ll have more recruits who have been excited and
inspired.”
He thanked Tavistock Town Council for supporting the event which costs
about £600 in burned coal and is held to cover their day-to-day
running costs.
Brothers Luke, 12, and Leon, 15, Spry are Robey Trust apprentices.
Luke is the youngest Robey apprentice. He said: “I love working on
the steam engines to help make them work again and keep them going and
even drive them.”
David Sholten and his son Darcy with the 1920s Aveling and Porter
roller, owned by Roger Pridham.