Sewards of Petersfield

The weekend of 14th/15th May was Victoria's first rally of the season. Victoria and her wagon had been taken from Petersfield to Cheriton on the Sunday before the rally and left at a friends house. On the following Thursday (12th) they were driven the 11 hilly miles from Cheriton to the rally field at Colden Common. The trip took about 2 hours. It was a lovely sunny day and Victoria was looking good so there were lots of photos taken and some video footage. Then the wagon was winched into position thanks to Victoria and the gazebo put up and there they were left for the night.

On Friday, late afternoon we came back to the rally field where the weekend for us started. Lloyd fitted up the electric and gas for the wagon and it was off to the local fish and chips shop for tea. Then the evening was spent watching other exhibits arrive and having a glass or two of wine.

Saturday morning we got up and Victoria was getting up steam. While Lloyd and Kev were doing that I was cooking the breakfast. The day was spent chuffing around the field, in the arena and chatting to the public. In the evening we had what we call our rally tea and at about 8pm took Victoria up to the beer tent to watch the New Forest Plonkers. We came back from there and put Victoria to bed making sure she was happy and then we settled down for a chat and a glass of wine or two.

Sunday was much like Saturday the weather was a bit better but Victoria was getting steam up while I cooked the eggs and bacon etc. More chuffing round the field which is is always nice at a rally as some rallies your not allowed to move. The steam engine parade was at 2.30pm so we went off around the arena. On our return it was time to start thinking of packing things away ready for the return journey back to Cheriton. After a while everything in the wagon was ready and Victoria was coupled up to it. Leaving just before 5pm, off she went again for another 11 hilly miles back to Cheriton. She arrived back safely at about 7.15pm.

We had a wonderful weekend. We all had a lot of fun and the rally really is a great event. For engines owners the best part is being allowed to chuff round the field, this is something that makes this event special. Looking forward to next year. See you there.

We were quite excited to read in one of the vintage magazines that the Burrell scenic showmans road loco No 3938 'Quo Vadis' was going to steam to the Bill Target rally at Eastleigh pulling a galloper load and as this was another engine that had spent some of its working life with in Petersfield with the Wall family, we had to see it.

On the 10^thof May we went down to Ower on the edge of the New Forest where the run was due to start and positioned ourselves along the route, cameras poised to record this impressive event.

At 1150 the Burrell left the Ower yard for the open road, pulling out in middle gear then stopping to change up into top. 'Quo Vadis' then tore off up the road towards Romsey, this was the last time that we were impressed with the engines performance! Shortly after, the Fowler agricultural 'Volunteer' followed pulling the galloper centre truck at a steady pace. The route was approx' sixteen miles which should have taken a three speed Burrell no more then three and a half hours, the 'Q' took six with two water stops and much changing of gears. When the engine belonged to the Wall family it had a reputation of being a 'difficult' engine, in fact 'Buck' Wall was heard to say that it was the only engine to reduce him to tears! On this day 3938 lived up to her unfortunate reputation and our hearts went out to the poor crew. 'Volunteer' was the hero of the day making good time and waiting on numerous occasions to let the Q catch up. It was such a shame as it is a rare sight to see a large showmans engine on the road, they are without doubt an impressive spectacle and it did look good, its performance was just a little disappointing.

Wall Brothers in Petersfield bought 'Quo Vadis' in 1940 and used it until 1948, Gosport fair being its last outing. After this it was laid up in Sewards sandpit in Petersfield, here it stayed until sold to Hardwicks in the early 1950's.

This weekend, the season finally started for Victoria and her assistants. On Saturday she attended the V.E. day commemorations in Liss, spending the afternoon standing alongside the village community centre providing an impressive backdrop to a great many peoples photographs.

Later that evening she was driven to Petersfield in preparation for the next days journey to Cheriton, here she was cleaned down before being put to bed under the watchful eye of her guardian spirit.

On Sunday, steam was raised and we set off at about 1210, driving through the centre of Petersfield and receiving many admiring glances from the crowds gathered on the square awaiting the V.E. day parade.

The highlight of the twelve mile trip to Cheriton was undoubtedly the ascent of Bordean Hill climbing out of the village of Langrish. Victoria rose to the challenge and charged up the hill not unlike the Royal Scot, the exhaust note being a thing of beauty! After that, the rest of the trip was over generally level road which gave the crew time to appreciate the wonderful Hampshire countryside, the woods full of bluebells, trees and hedges in bloom and even a startled hare running across a roadside field; there are definite benefits in travelling the highways at six miles per hour.

Cheriton was reached two hours and fifteen minutes after leaving Petersfield and both engine and living wagon were safely parked up in the custody of one of Victorias old friends. The trip had been most enjoyable, what better way to spend a spring Sunday afternoon?

Well, after a lot of hard graft over the three days of the Bank holiday weekend Victoria is now ready for the rally season.

Part of the time has been taken up with a lot of work on our living van, which now has a proper camping battery installed for the lighting and we've added some 240V power via a small generator.

I have to say, it was almost a shame to put the cover back over Victoria at the end of the weekend as she was gleaming in the evening sunshine from smokebox to tender.

Here's to a great rally season, and we hope to see some of you out and about.