The 38th Haddenham Steam Rally was again a largely fine affair with only a few light showers to dampen the dust, so that’s three years on the trot the weather’s been kind. This year’s rally was dedicated to the memory of Bill Ramsey who passed away this year. Behind the scenes, the rally has obtained charitable status and a trust has been formed “to advance the education of the public by increasing the knowledge of and interest in historical road-going and other steam engines, agricultural equipment and machinery and other traditional country activities”.

There were 36 steam engines listed in the programme (No 13 no entry) spread across eight different disciplines and 15 different manufacturers. Several different engines under restoration were towed around the ring by other engines, and it was interesting to watch the very different styles of revering both pairs back on to their respective pegs. Suffice to say, one lot had it sussed and the others had a work-out on the steering wheel.

There were some excellent commercials on display including the International High-Wheel Buggy, Francke’s Volvo F88 and rear-steer low-loader trailer, Jack Richard’s AEC Mercury new restoration debut, a pair of very different 1940s Fodens, three different Scammell Highwaymen, plus an earlier 15MU, Pioneer and a Crusader. The Smith family had added a Mini pick-up to their display since Thurlow and there were also the odd classic commercial dotted around the fairground and heavy horse park.

Cars and motorbikes filled out the areas not used for the commercials, and although these were mainly post-war classics, there were a few pre-war examples in there as well. Classic construction equipment was being used to make a hard-roadway down the side of the site with the crushed stone being brought down by the Sentinel steam-lorry, and rolled in by a brace of internal-combustion-engined rollers.

Tractors are now permanently displayed in 2 sites, in the main behind the front line of steam engines plus an over-flow section near the main drag down the site. Numbers here seemed very healthy with a good mix of types, albeit with no very early examples that I could see. Opposite the tractors, the Fengate Forge display and tea-rooms were going strong, offering sit-down breakfasts, lunch and evening meals in their marquee.

The Haddenham Rally has always had a strong fairground, remarkable for a two-day show, with a variety of juvenile and adult rides. From my vantage point just on the edge of the beer tent on Saturday night, although almost 50% were open for business, there did not seem to be the punters present in the evening time.

Moving back to our own section, the stationary engines, this is always at full capacity and although Sandringham Country Fair on the same weekend has taken away several of the regular faces, there seems to be plenty of new faces who fill the gaps. The big issue for the section is the roping off of large amounts of ground by the early birds for friends and relatives causing resentment amongst the late-comers who find all the best spots have long been “taken”. I have no comment, as we ourselves are three generations each with their own camping or caravan space requirements who like to be together.

I didn’t get to visit the Heavy Horse Show this year, so no photos of the gee-gees I’m afraid, but next year will be its 25th anniversary at the rally. Most other things we have covered including the Edwardian boat, which I just love. What a pity there’s no suitable launch site into the big lake for it to be seen in action.