Sewards of Petersfield - Rally Review

Top: Tasker 1741.
Middle: Sentinel 8933.
Bottom: Aveling & Porter 4932

The weekend of 24th and 25th saw us attend the Kingsley Steam Rally. The weather was looking good and we were all looking forward to this event.

Friday afternoon we pulled on to the site and were allocated an area where we could set up camp, it was a nice big area with plenty of room for all our gear. The evening was spent watching all the other exhibits come in. As always there was a good selections, the C.S.V.A.C. (Central Southern Vintage Agricultural Club) organise the event so there is a good amount of stationary engines and tractors. Steam engine entries seemed to be down on last year, this years engines were, Fowler 13140 “The Volunteer”, Tasker 1741 “John Wallace”, Hogs Back Brewery Sentinel 8933 and their Showman’s wagon, Aveling & Porter roller 4932 and of course Marshall 14242 “Victoria, Empress of India” and Living wagon. The motorbike line up seemed very good along with the model tent.

This year they had the car park in a different field which made the rally field a bit bigger but it didn’t seem to make a difference to the field layout. This is always a good rally from our point of view, nice little trip up the road, nice site with plenty of space and therefore, loads of room to chuff round as much as we like and a good atmosphere. As always the coal was rather smokey, but that seems to be the case at most rallies these days. By mid afternoon on Sunday the public had drifted off, apparently there was a football match on! England were playing in the World Cup so our return journey to Liss was wonderful, no traffic just us and the wind in our faces. See you there next year.

June 17th and 18th this year was the weekend chosen by Amberley museum to stage its annual mid summer steam show, this event has been going for a number of years and has steadily increased in size. It has undoubtedly taken over the june spot from Parham steam rally now that that event is no more. The weather could not have better, and under blazing sunshine and cloudless blue skies 17 full sized engines and several minitures had gathered in the museum grounds.

Amberley, as I am sure that most people are aware, is a large industrial museum located in a disused chalk pit and has lots of space for the engines to move about in, in fact, unlike a lot of other events, the organisers encourage the steam engines to do so. There is quite a network of hard roads in the area and the engines create much interest from the visitors as they pass by.

Of the other points of note are the engine hauled rides using a period Tasker trailer and a weighbridge where owners can find out exactly how much their machines weigh and whether that "under 10 tons" plate is correct or just for the benefit of the local authorities!

Overall, the Amberley mid summer steam show was an enjoyable day out with many attractions other than steam engines to look at, the museum itself is well worth a visit and I am sure that most people could find something to interest them.

Pictures of the Mid Summer Steam Show at Amberley Chalk Pits.