The Holbeach Vintage Rally’s new location at Fen Road offered much more room, and flexibility than the old golf course site, and was instrumental in making the 14th event a success. Entries were approximately 25% up on the previous year in virtually all classes and some new ideas and additions added to the event. Lessons learnt in this first year at the new field can be taken forward to 2009 to make the event even better.

My own section, the stationary engines was well attended with only one absentee, and displayed a total of 32 engines (two more than formally entered). There was quite a good selection, particularly from new first-time exhibitors and those returning to the event, with a number of Petter Ms, Arcadia, Waterloo Boy, John Deere, Wilton, Renee & Tangye engines, plus a stationary steam engine. Not only that, the working aspect was particularly appreciated with four small corn mills, a larger Bentall mill, two different hack-saws, a number of water-pumps including Leo, Lister, Godwin, Lion & Argosy, a drill and most unusual, a tea grading machine.

Interspersed with the engines were a couple of collections of horticultural implements and hand tools. The horticultural section was very diverse with examples of Trusty, Winget, Wheelhorse, Ransomes, Barford, Lloyds & Co, Tarpen, British Anzani, Allen of Oxford, BMB & Gunsmith, with other machines incorporated into the separate displays. The special theme for 2008 was the Lincolnshire bulb growing industry and a selection of planters, lifters and other machinery had been gathered around the theme marquee. Complimenting the horticultural were a selection of bygones displays including Mamod steam models, 2-gallon petrol cans, etc.

Full-size tractors including examples of Allis Chalmers, John Deere, Ford & Fordson, County, International, McCormick, David Brown, Massey Harris, Massey Ferguson, Field Marshall & Nuffield. Alongside the tractors, the tractor balance kit had its own little arena but again proved difficult to master. Maybe with the agreement of the owner, we can find some way of making it less dynamic but still easy to move at speed from place-to-place as the need arises.

This year, two full-size steamrollers, both Aveling & Porter examples, were on show. The smallest Aveling, dating from 1901, was made to a width of 5’ for narrow streets and pavements. A couple of the miniatures in attendance both had scale additions, one a 2” scale Fowler showman’s engine with a Verbeeck organ, the other a 3” scale Fowler traction engine with a working Ransomes baler. Across the way, a Chiappa fair organ played throughout the weekend.

The commercial section included a number of locally based vintage & classic fleets with Peter Hedger bringing eight vehicles, Derrick Salter a similar number and Richard Robinson four. The Gowler fleet of five vehicles didn’t make it, which was a mixed blessing, as Jim was fast running out of room. This is one area we acknowledge needs more space allowing for both access and parking.

In front of the commercials, the motorcycle display area only just proved big enough with some superb examples of Triumph, Norton, Vincent, BSA, Royal Enfield, Indian & HRD, with a few more modern classics dusted in for a wider appeal. I feel that this was one of the best displays of motorbikes at Holbeach for several years.

The classic car section seemed a little sparse with perhaps not all those booked in to attend turning up. However, there were some beautiful vehicles with examples of Lagonda, Leyland, Lanchester and a pair of Essex Super Sixes. Love them or hate them, the gleaming gold Beauford definitely had presence as did the Armstrong Siddeley and Austin taxi. Carry on, cabby. A selection of more modern classics included a Skoda Estelle, Rover Montego estate and Lada Niva 4x4, all relatively recent vehicles but when did you last see one on the road? The two-tone paint jobs were also out in force with examples of Ford Zodiac & Anglia, Riley RM, Austin Healey and BMC Farinas.

Speaking of two-tones, the return of Tear’s recovery demonstration to the event also added a new dimension with the addition of a car partly trapped under the overturned articulated fridge lorry, necessitating the Holbeach Fire & Rescue appliance to attend to cut-off the roof to free the “trapped” driver. Once the driver was safely removed, the recovery crews got on with the job of righting the trailer using airbags. The trailer had had its side almost totally removed in a previous accident, which made the demo that little more difficult and different to the tanker used two years ago. Ultimately, this whole outfit was suspend-towed by Tear’s 4-axle recovery vehicle away from the site.

There were more trade stands surrounding the ring this year, and some variation on catering to compliment the perennial Tasty Tucker, including a superb sweet and confectionary stall. Additional entertainment around the field included the Holbeach Town band on Sunday afternoon, pillow fighting (with inflatable hammers if you preferred), the egg-throwing competition in the main ring and a classically themed fairground, courtesy of Woodfordes.