Fawley Hill and Castle Combe Events

[Cyder]

RE Fawley - excellent photos and an apt review - more engines arrived late Friday and more public over the weekend, and although it was quiet, you missed something, it was an excellent birthday bash. The evenings saw engine crews and other exhibitors relaxing around the big top whilst engines were running around and playing till very late. Most importantly, Lady McAlpine seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself and so did all the exhibitors and crews.

Events full of exhibits and public creating that "atmosphere" can easily become 'boiling-water' events with a slow race highlight, it's often more fun (and considerably less costly) to run the engine to a pub and skip them.

[International Steam]

Absolutely, that's the side of a rally that the paying public like me don't experience - and I can't report on because I live some distance away. Without it, no doubt many owners wouldn't participate, attendance money or not. Taking your engine to the pub for a social is great but I suspect that most owners are based in rural areas where the engine density is quite low and the chance to meet up at a rally like this with old friends. some of whom have come quite a way, is 'golden'.

Some years ago, I made a video of a veteran owner roading his Burrell to a rally not far from my home. He was absolutely in his element on the open road and confided in me that it was the best part of the rally by far and he would be glad when it was time to hitch up the trailer, get back on board and return home.

In other words, there is something for everyone. It's such a shame that the vast majority involved are 'grey' and unrepresentative of the population as a whole, a trait which is shared with heritage railways.