Vintage engine show proves big hit with large crowds

[RWHB1]

VINTAGE ENGINE SHOW PROVES BIG HIT WITH LARGE CROWDS

Hundreds of visitors turned out to a vintage engine show near
Trowbridge over the weekend.

The Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show took place at Southwick on Saturday
and Sunday June 14 and 15, giving visitors a chance to bask in
sunshine and early machinery.

The two-day event at Greenhill Farm, on the Bradley Road, was
organised by Wessex Stationary Engine Club.

Although weather warnings had some fearing rain, in true showman’s
form the event went ahead with a large selection of vintage machines
from engines in full steam

Also on show were cars and commercials and motorcycles from
yesteryear, and more than 50 examples of stationary engines and
static displays and craft bygones.

Secretary Ted Edwards said: “We had out figures crossed hoping for
a dry weekend Saturday was overcast and luckily Sunday was a
brilliant day.

“It’s difficult to stage a show like ours and we didn’t want
the threat of rain to upset our midsummer show.

“It’s been a lot of work and expense in getting the show on, so I
am delighted the weather over the two days was dry.”

One of the main attractions was the Aveling and Porter Road Roller in
full steam making its first visit to the Wessex show ,a recent
purchase for Newbury steam enthusiast Tom Brockbank.

“For the second year we are delighted to be here at Greenhall Farm
and thank all involved to make this show a success”

Local vintage enthusiast Mark Taylor was delighted to stage the
working section. He had on show a vast selection of traditional old
wood saws along with his Acrow Walden saw bench belt driven from a
lister stationary engine.

He said: “I live in the Southwick village so this my local show
and love just putting some of my vintage items on show and carrying
out a working display.

“I first got involved in wood cutting the traditional way from my
late grandfather Bill who encouraged and taught me the skills of how
wood cutting was carried out in years gone by.”

In the Miniature Steam section how was the working display of retired
engineer Andy Sartain of Melksham who had his steam-powered Mamods
running around a purpose-built track.

He said: “For me it was I had an electric light bulb moment when
I visited a friend who was working on his Scalextric layout. I saw the
cars were kept on a track with a guide pivot.

“I could not understand why I hadn’t thought of it, before to make
a tack on a similar but larger design to bring to events like this.

“It has proved to be big hit with youngsters who love to see
these machines run around this track under their own steam power.”

The two-day show was supporting the club’s chosen charity, the
Children’s Hospice Southwest.