BSEPS Rally History

With the help of Brian Sharp, we present here a history of BSEPS annual Steam Rallies. BSEPS President and founder John Crawley advises that although the first rally was in 1957, there was a gathering in 1956 which could be classed as the first event. There, have been seven venues over the years and 5 rally organisers. The following is the list with details:

1957 1958 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
  • Old Warden Park 14th, 15th& 16th Sept 2012 PW
    Steam Wagon Spectacular
  • Old Warden Park 16th, 17th& 17th Sept 2011 PW
    Special theme the 1963 film "The Iron Maiden"
  • Old Warden Park 18th & 19th Sept 2010 PW
  • Old Warden Park 19th & 20th Sept 2009 PW
    Special Display of Crane Engines
  • Old Warden Park 13th & 14th Sept 2008 PW
  • Old Warden Park 15th & 16th Sept 2007 PW
    Fowell & Co. Reunion
  • Old Warden Park 15th 16th & 17th Sept 2006 PW
    50th Anniversary, Made in Bedfordshire
  • Old Warden Park 17th & 18th Sept 2005 PW
    Former John Crawley Engines
  • Old Warden Park 18th & 19th Sept 2004 PW
  • Old Warden Park 14th & 15th Sept 2002 PW
  • Old Warden Park 13th & 14th Sept 2003 PW
    6" Scale Miniature, Spectacular
  • Old Warden Park 15th & 16th Sept 2001 PW
    Steam Fire Engine Spectacular
  • Old Warden Park 16th & 17th Sept 2000 PW
    Clayton & Shuttleworth Millennium Special
  • Old Warden Park 18th & 19th Sept 1999 PW
  • Old Warden Park 19th & 20th Sept 1998 PW
  • Old Warden Park 13th & 14th Sept 1997 PW
  • Old Warden Park 14th & 15th Sept 1996 PW
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  • Shefford 16th & 17th Sept 1995 PW
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  • Wren Park 17th & 18th Sept 1994 PW
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  • Roxton Park 18th & 19th Sept 1993 PW
  • Roxton Park 19th & 20th Sept 1992 PW
  • Roxton Park 14th & 15th Sept 1991 PW
  • Roxton Park 15th & 16th Sept 1990 PW
  • Roxton Park 16th & 17th Sept 1989 PW
  • Roxton Park 17th & 18th Sept 1988 PW
  • Roxton Park 19th & 20th Sept 1987 PW
  • Roxton Park 13th & 14th Sept 1986 PW
  • Roxton Park 14th & 15th Sept 1985 PW
  • Roxton Park 15th & 16th Sept 1984 PW
  • Roxton Park 17th & 18th Sept 1983 PW
  • Roxton Park 18th & 19th Sept 1982 PW
  • Roxton Park 19th & 20th Sept 1981 PW
  • Roxton Park 13th & 14th Sept 1980 FH
  • Roxton Park 15th & 16th Sept 1979 FH
  • Roxton Park 16th & 17th Sept 1978 FH
  • Roxton Park 17th & 18th Sept 1977 FH
  • Roxton Park 18th & 19th Sept 1976 CP
  • Roxton Park 13th & 14th Sept 1975 CN
  • Roxton Park 14th & 15th Sept 1974 CN
  • Roxton Park 15th & 16th Sept 1973 CN
  • Roxton Park 16th & 17th Sept 1972 CN
  • Roxton Park 18th & 19th Sept 1971 CN
  • Roxton Park 19th & 20th Sept 1970 CN
  • Roxton Park 20th & 21st Sept 1969 CN
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  • Houghton Conquest 21st &22nd Sept 1968 CN
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  • Woburn Park 6th & 7th May 1967 JC
  • Woburn Park 30th & 31st July 1966 JC
  • Woburn Park 31st July & 1st August 1965 JC
  • Woburn Park 1st & 2nd August 1964 JC
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  • **Bletsoe 3rd & 4th August 1963 JC
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  • No Rally in 1962 as Filming of "Iron Maiden" in July
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  • Woburn Park 5th & 6th August 1961 JC
  • Woburn Park 6th & 7th August 1960 JC
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  • No Rally in 1959
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  • Woburn Park Monday 4th August 1958 JC
  • *Woburn Park Monday 5th August 1957 JC



*Organised by the National Traction Engine Club in conjunction with BSEPS

**Organised by BSEPS and the Bedfordshire Agricultural Society

JC John Crawley organised 9 events
CN Cyril Norman organised 8 events
CP Celia Pentlow organised 1 event
FH Fred Harris organised 4 events
PW Paul Worbey has organised 28 events
All with the assistance of ever changing rally committees and their commitment.

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