Our optimism for another record donation to Magpas paid off in 2009 as £13,250 was raised to support this well-respected charity. However, a damp start this year may well have cut down the number of active participants so sponsorship monies may possibly be affected. Our decision to pack the gazebo was well-founded as it rained on and off for a good 2-3 hours until early afternoon but did eventually provide some sunshine for the triumphant return of the vehicles to Cottenham around 4 o’clock.

The number of stationary engines was significantly down on last year, but this is partly due to several exhibitors’ ill-health over the last few months and we wish them all a full and speedy recovery. The collection of local horticultural machinery filled the line up nicely and the ability to fence and rope off the corner near the mini-roundabout all but did away with general public straying into the engine compound.

Last year we watched the participants leave the Green but this year we made do with watching them return so a different perspective to the photos this time around. The downside of this, however, is that a significant proportion of vehicles do tend to make their way straight home so it’s not possible to capture them all, as we are tied to the stationary engines when they’re running.

The commitment of the tractor contingent is magnificent with them forming the backbone of the run, many without cabs to keep them dry. The price of fuel is having an impact on everybody so full credit to the Gowler family for fielding no less than four commercial vehicles including their Kenworth, not known for being frugal. Bannold liveried vehicles numbered three and Welch’s and Rowlett’s brought two apiece within this section.

The number of pre-war cars seemed a little thin on the ground with many of the vehicles being British classics from the 50s, 60s & 70s. The continental Europeans we come to expect such as the Renault Dauphine and NSU didn’t appear to be in attendance this year, but we did have a fleeting glimpse of a black Mercedes Benz sportster from the 1950s. All in all, it didn’t turn out to be a bad day.