Woolpit

[RWHB1]

BROTHERS BEHIND WOOLPIT STEAM RALLY DELIGHTED AS THOUSANDS TURN OUT

Exhibitors came from as far as Wales and Cheshire to be at the
weekend-long event. Some drove their engines down the A140 from
Norwich on Friday.

Gerald and David Seeley have been organising THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
WOOLPIT STEAM RALLY at Warren Farm, Wetherden, near Stowmarket, for
nearly 30 years.

It began in Woolpit in 1987 and they saved it after it was nearly lost
in the 1990s - bringing it to its current site, which is donated by
local farmers.

They have been organising the event since 1997 - having been a part of
it in the early days.

When it didn't go ahead in its ninth year, they decided to revive it
and have been steering it since.


MANY OF THE RARE AND ANCIENT EXHIBITS ONLY COME TOGETHER FOR THE SHOW.
This year, 13 Saunderson tractors from World War I have been brought
together for the first time.

Many of these have been lovingly restored by their owners. The
machines were made in Bedford during the war.

Among the exhibits is David's own Saunderson which he brought back to

"They are a personal favourite of ours," he said. "I think for most
collectors of very early tractors - these are the ones you aim for.

"You won't see a display like this probably anywhere else in the
world."

They are delighted that the crowds, the exhibits and the weather all
came together for this year's event, which reopens tomorrow (Sunday,
June 1).

"We have had what seems like a very busy start. People have come
early. It's fantastic weather. The forecast at the beginning of the
week was for rain then winds and now we have got perfect steam rally
weather," sai

"Last year we had wet and it didn't cause many problems on the show
days because it dried up but it did cause problems for us on
setting-up days."

Gerald was exhibiting his own 1916 Mogul International tractor, made
in the US. He bought it in bits about 14 years ago from a farm in
Finningham and spent 10 years lovingly piecing it together. He had to
make some of his own parts where parts were missing.

"This is what we do. You gradually work your way through it. What I
haven't got I have to make," he said. This can involve making a mould
and taking it to the foundry to be cast as iron.

Gerald and David inherited their love of engines and restoration work
from their late dad, Jim Seeley, a keen collector and restorer.

Gerald is head gardener for farmer and entrepreneur Bob Baker, who
hosts the rally. David works for Command Pest Control in Preston St
Mary, Sudbury.

The event - which last year gave £27k to charity - is run by a team
of volunteers who help out a small committee of six.

"We do it all for charity," said Gerald.

"It's a wonderful attendance - very well supported," he added.
"Probably one of the best - if not the best."

Exhibitor Nigel Emeny - a retired injection moulding technician from
Dedham - brought his Ferguson TEF20 tractor, built in 1955.

It took him four years to restore to its former glory after it was
pulled out of a hedge in Norfolk.


He bought it off the farmer, put it on a low loader and brought it
home to strip it down, clean it, put it together and spray paint it.

The rally has around 350 exhibitors. Among the star attractions are a
Caterpillar 60 from 1928 which was made in America.

Like many of the engines it is in working order and displaying what it
can do. It was lifting earth and moving it using an Onion boxscraper -
to the delight of the crowds.

Another big draw this year is a traction engine named Ex-Mayor made
by Charles Burrell and Sons of Thetford in 1925. It was restored to
its former glory for its centenary.



In its heyday, it would have been used in a travelling fun fair to
power the attractions. It is now owned by the Saunders Collection in
Bedfordshire.

It was driven down the A140 from the Strumpshaw Steam Museum in
Norfolk by Steve and Leah Brackston of Dorset - a six and a half hour
journey.

Volunteers from community groups help out around the showground and in
return get a donation at the end of the rally, depending on the
returns.

Any excess from that goes to local charities and causes. Over the two
days, organisers expect around 5,000 people and these pay a small
entry fee of £8 or £9 and £2 for children.

[YYS4BOB]

My first visit to this event was yesterday. The huge amount of tractors and stationary engines dominated, but a good mix of other exhibits too.

Burrell 3131.

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