The 11th annual Walpole Steam & Country Show followed up on the successful 2010 event where £2000 was donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance with another fine show, providing a reasonable mix of exhibits, with some fine and rare vintage tractors in particular catching the eye. These included Hart Parr, International 10-20 Titan & 8-16 Junior, early Lanz, Minneapolis, Saunderson & Case. Elsewhere, on the lines were a Turner Yeoman of England, Doe Triple D and on Sunday, a machine similar to the Doe but manufactured from a pair of very original Massey Harris 55s.

The commercial section still provided a good selection of vehicles, boosted by the fleets of Palmer’s, Gowler’s & Salter’s lorries. The Scammell Register brought along their promotional stand but as I recall there was only the Esso Highwayman there to support it. Other local stalwarts filled in the gaps. There was a small military vehicle contingent down the opposite end of the field behind the cards. The cars themselves were a little thin on the ground on Saturday when other events are traditionally held but doubled in numbers on Sunday.

After a polite request for a little more room within the stationary engine compound after last year’s show, it was gratifying to see some extra depth this year. However, numbers did seem down a little as last year they were struggling for space then but this year, even on Sunday, there was still a couple of gaps where more exhibitors could have been accommodated. Steam engine numbers seemed to be about the same as 2010 with the unusual addition of ‘Jimmy’ being present in the guise of front wheels and axle only.

As remarked elsewhere, trade stands and stalls are very hard to get hold of at the smaller events as car-boots and EBay have taken over from the traditional markets at this type of event. However, there was a selection of mainly second-hand goods for sale and a number of charity-type stalls all trying to raise funds for various good causes. However, there was still a weak point which was the fairground which consisted of a bouncy castle and a set of kiddies swing-boats.

In short, as far as the visitng public were concerned there wasn’t really a lot of change as the layout is now pretty much consistent year-on-year. Recent year’s charitable donations have all been of a similar amount so there can’t be a lot wrong.