|
Register | Donate | Events Calendar | Picture Albums | Mark Forums Read |
Show Reports Reports and pictures from recent Steam events |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
|||
Powderham Castle
Ok so no links!
PAUL JOLLY: OLD ONES ARE THE BEST Powderham Castle and its glorious parkland setting saw the 49th Historic Vehicle Gathering on the 13th/14th of July. It is the largest single event in the West Country of its type featuring over 1000 diverse and varied vehicles plus stall holders. The Crash Box and Classic Car Club is to be commended for its continuing dedication to charitable causes. The weekend is entirely managed by the members on a not-for-profit basis with over £20,000 going to, among others, the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, Veterans with Dogs (Exeter) and Teignmobility. Over the years, it was estimated over £200,000 was raised for local charities through this event alone. The selection of fabulous classic cars was as to be expected, quite superb and a treat for all, but the other displays were in many ways more remarkable. To bring along a ‘20 tonne plus’ steam traction engine built before World War 1 either by slow road under its own steam (pardon the literal pun) or by low loader HGV requires a herculean effort by the dedicated owners and helpers with these incredible machines from our early automotive industrial heritage. Today’s youngsters will have been in awe at these puffing noisy monsters and I cannot imagine quite what the children made of them all. The miniature steamers were also quite fascinating and cute which again shows true dedication and hours of labour for their owners. We have to be grateful for the opportunity to witness them all in action. Sunday provided perfect conditions for arena displays of Commercial vehicles, Steam Engines, Motorcycles and Scooters, Farm and Military vehicles, all of which were rewarded with class prizes. Classic Cars and Car Clubs also received recognition to reflect the immense effort put in by so many individuals. The icing on the cake was to be personally awarded their prizes by Lady Devon, Dowager Countess of Devon who took great interest in each exhibit even if some were a bit beyond her comprehension. I mean, who actually knows precisely what an 1895 Burrell Single Crank Compound full-size steamer actually was built for? Thank you to all contributors. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|