2011 Report: Belvoir stays dry again
Steam line-up at Belvoir Castle 2011.
16 June 2011 • Story from Old Glory magazine
The oldest-surviving Clayton & Shuttleworth roller No 34900 of 1902 Excelsior.IN THE programme introduction to the Belvoir Castle Steam Festival held on 21-22 May, joint organisers Paul Appleton and Phil Wing mention the way the weather can affect the viability of shows. The previous year had two sweltering days but previous to that bad weather over several years had almost caused the cancellation of the event. They need not have worried as 2011 proved fine both days, although a little windy on Sunday, reports Malcolm Ranieri.
The event fielded 33 full size engines, and looking particularly fine with completed paintwork and a first for Belvoir was Dave Shelmerdine’s Fowler BB1 ploughing engine No 15441 of 1920 Tiger, which took the Old Glory magazine sponsored Best in Show award. Purchased from G Brooke of Yorkshire along with sister engine Lion, its undergone major refurbishment including a new back axle. Fowler A4 traction engine No 9924 of 1904 James Penfold, in workaday condition, spent its working life in Sussex before being sold to James Penfold in 1944, then entered preservation in 1955 being bought by well-known author and historian Bob Whitehead, whose daughter Mrs G Walters is the current owner.
Resplendent in new paintwork, Dave Shelmerdine's Fowler BB1 ploughing engine Tiger.
Steam wagons on display included John Ward’s beautifully restored and unique transverse boilered 1905 Yorkshire Wagon No 117 Denby Maiden fitted with a dray body. There was a very fine collection of showman’s included Belvoir stalwart Fowler No 15653 of 1920 Renown with Howard Bros funfair and the Saunders’ Collection fielded three engines. Particularly relevant to the show was the Fowler B5 road locomotive No 9475 Duke of Rutland on whose land by kind permission the show takes place. This engine was repatriated from Sydney in 1978 and carries showman’s fittings.
Tiger's restoration team that won Old Glory magazine's Best in Show award, presented by Colin Tyson.
Celebrating its centenary at Belvoir was Paul Wood's Barford & Perkins Type D3 road roller, new to the Earl of Durham.Amongst the road rollers was 1926 Fowler DN1 12-ton No 16433 of 1926 Monty, new to Farsley UDC. Current owner Ian Jubb purchased her in 2009 and steamed for the first time in almost 40 years last year, this is only her second rally appearance – and was roaded to Belvoir from Gainsborough.
Tractors extended to 330 examples, including a special Massey Ferguson and Massey Harris display. Club contributions included the David Brown Tractor Club (Lincolnshire), Nottinghamshire NVTEC, Rutland NVTEC and Vale of Belvoir Machinery Group’s threshing display, the John Smith Massey Ferguson Collection and AJB Engineering rack saw bench demonstration.
An almost equal feature to the tractors is the fine display of nearly 200 commercials, where section leader Jill Sardeson won the Michael Gates Memorial Trophy for outstanding contribution to the show. The section included 50 Land Rovers, but their owners seemed very interested in photographing the brand new Land Rover that the Red Cross had brought with them!
Photography: Malcolm Ranieri & Colin Tyson
ommercials steward Jill Sardeson is presented with the Michael Gates Memorial Shield by show director Paul Appleton for her contribution to growing the commercial section.
