The 19th Little Downham Bygones & Organ Extravaganza expanded a little more this year, as the removal of the old Portcabins from the grassed area to the rear of the car-park, meant more tractors and a few stationary engines could be put on show. Elsewhere, a resurgence of some additional larger organs entertained the people who braved the nip in the air on the last Saturday of March.

A total of 17 full-size and one horticultural tractor, plus a trio of medium-sized engines (Fairbanks Morse, Bamford & Ruston) graced the grassed area as mentioned. In front of them on the hard-standing, at least 2-dozen vehicles took up all the available space left by the outside organs. This year, a total of 6 instruments were aligned outside in front of the March Vintage Cycle Club alongside a good selection of motorcycles.

Elsewhere a quartet of miniature steamers and a number of portable street organs provided more music, as did another five or six instruments inside the hall. There were very few model displays this year, with the emphasis being very much on bygones & collectables. Our collection of Victorian glass bottles were complemented by our neighbour’s similar display, ours being from the northern East Anglian & East Midlands counties of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire, his more from Suffolk and Essex.

There were bygone displays of printing, haberdashery, pocket watches, teapots, horse brasses, carpentry tools, automobilia, matchbox covers, general household items, smoking & tobacconist items, Meccano and Bassett’s Liquorice Allsorts memorabilia. Sadly, for the first time I can remember, two double-depth tables in a prominent position remained empty and vacant, so I hope the missing Northamptonshire exhibitors have suffered no harm as to why they couldn’t attend.

The raffle as always took an hour to draw and the auction of two very well presented wooden aeroplanes beforehand offered a great opportunity, and with only two serious bidders vying for the goods, I consider the winning bidder got himself a couple of bargains that will only appreciate in value as he grows older, assuming they are treated with respect in the meantime. Thanks go to the team for providing refreshments for participating exhibitors after the event.

As a footnote, Amanda and Alan Pell, the organ builders, are organising a similar event at the Elizabethan Centre, Whaplode Drove, Lincolnshire, on 24 July 2011, to raise money for urgent repairs to the village hall roof. We hope to see you there.