2007 Show report
By Paul Appleton
There was plenty of rain about during the week leading up to the show, but luckily a stiff breeze and warm sunshine dried out the site on Thursday and Friday, and exhibitors, traders and visitors were treated to a fine weekend full of activity.
Other than two brief showers on the Saturday, the sun shone brightly and steam engines were able to venture down from their unloading park on Saturday, with full freedom of the site by Sunday as the ground was firm and good.
Final attendance figures haven’t been calculated, but are estimated to be around 8,000 which although disappointing, is a major step forward after the total washout last year. The attendance was affected on the Saturday by the FA Cup Final which featured two of the biggest clubs in the land, even if the game itself was a disappointing bore, and the threat of rain will have kept many potential visitors at bay. Sunday however was a different matter.
Another major disappointment for the organisers was the turnout of exhibits, with many ‘no-shows’ across all categories. This is very frustrating when space has been marked out for individual exhibits and the biggest culprits were commercial vehicles. With around 170 booked to appear, less than 90 showed up, leaving an open area of land unused.
The military section looked especially good with some interesting displays, a number of tanks and tracked vehicles and tank rides on offer in a separate arena. The turnout of tractors was much better with 200 machines from the 230 booked turning out of which 47 were part of the special David Brown tractor gathering.
The period caravans section had a new and novel presentation and many of the vintage caravans had matching period cars and bygone displays in their awnings.
Despite a large number of ‘no-shows’ in the model tent, a fine selection of displays were spread to fill the gaps including a superb working ‘G’ scale model railway taking up one end of the 120ft tent.
The Vale of Belvoir Machinery Club were awarded the Michael Gates Memorial Shield for ‘outstanding contribution to the show’ with their threshing and tractor display.
Around 50 steam engines attended, but there were several ‘no shows’ and a number of substitutions from the advertised line up. Section leader Paul Worbey arranging for some lighter engines that would cope better if the conditions were wet. The most unusual machine had to be John Brydon’s 1896 Salvesen coal-fired steam cart. The Road Roller Association put on a display of motor rollers and associated equipment and the NTET and Steam Apprentice Club were also in attendance.
Organs included Reader’s 1895 Gavioli and the Gavioli of similar vintage owned by Brian Wells of Banbury, which was presented in his vintage 8-wheel ERF lorry and accompanying living van.
The Road Rescue Recovery Association was again out in force and made an especially colourful display on the Sunday, comprising of around 60 vehicles, many with customised bodies and paintwork.
There were many other working displays, cameos, stationary engines, bygones, stalls and of course the vintage fairground, featuring the Howard Bros’ 1886 Savage three-abreast gallopers and Fowler showman’s engine ‘Renown’.
The arena timetable was completed, including a tank loading demonstration using the sole surviving Valentine ‘swimming’ tank owned by John Pearson and Mike Fincher’s Mighty Antar tractor and tank trailer, and there was an invasion of Russian living history group members who demonstrated their combative skills.
One particularly unusual display was Paul Marshall’s 1968 Bedford VAL outside broadcast truck, complete with vintage TV cameras that the public could peer through.
Heavy horses, including some fine Percherons, rare breeds, ducks, owls and water buffalo added to the variety of displays.
After such a poor time of it last year, the organisers are pleased to get back on track. It is a pity that those who decided not to travel, for whatever reason, didn’t turn up, because they missed a very good weekend, with Dr Busker and Maxwell, Hammer and Smith providing first class entertainment in the two beer tents.
Trophy winners
Tractor magazine award: Was presented to John Simpson of Market Rasen for his 1943 David Brown 25hp Thresherman which he purchased 2 years ago in poor condition and has restored to show condition.
Heritage Commercials magazine award: Was presented to Derek Horeton of Walsall, Staffs for his 1962 ERF 2KV lorry purchased in 2000 as a runner. Derek has since under taken work to the cab and running gear.
Old Glory magazine award: Was presented to the Jacobs family for their Aveling-Barford 10 ton steam roller, No. AE 998 of 1943, purchased in a deralict state in 2001, and completely restored.
2008 Show News
No decision has been made on whether to proceed with an event in 2008 until the financial situation is fully known. An announcement will be made on this web site once a decision has been reached.
