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:
*Woburn Park Monday 5^th August 1957 JC
Woburn Park Monday 4^th August 1958 JC
No Rally in 1959
Woburn Park 6^th & 7^th August 1960 JC
Woburn Park 5^th & 6^th August 1961 JC

No Rally in 1962 as Filming of "Iron Maiden" in July

**Bletsoe 3^rd & 4^th August 1963 JC

Woburn Park 1^st & 2^nd August 1964 JC
Woburn Park 31^st July & 1^st August 1965 JC
Woburn Park 30^th & 31^st July 1966 JC
Woburn Park 6^th & 7^th May 1967 JC

Houghton Conquest 21^st &22^nd Sept 1968 CN

Roxton Park 20^th & 21^st Sept 1969 CN
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1970 CN
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1971 CN
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1972 CN
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1973 CN
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1974 CN
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1975 CN
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1976 CP
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1977 FH
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1978 FH
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1979 FH
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1980 FH
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1981 PW
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1982 PW
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1983 PW
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1984 PW
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1985 PW
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1986 PW
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1987 PW
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1988 PW
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1989 PW
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1990 PW
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1991 PW
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1992 PW
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1993 PW

Wren Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1994 PW

Shefford 16^th & 17^th Sept 1995 PW

Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1996 PW
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1997 PW
Old Warden Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1998 PW
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1999 PW
Old Warden Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 2000 PW
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2001 PW
Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 2002 PW
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 2003 PW
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 2004 PW
Old Warden Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 2005 PW
Old Warden Park 15^th 16^th & 17^th Sept 2006 PW (50th Anniversary)
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2007 PW

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

**Organised by the 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 27 events
All with the assistance of ever changing rally committee's and their commitment.

There have been six "Special Themed Events" in recent years:

2000 - Clayton & Shuttleworth Millennium Special
2001 - Steam Fire Engine Spectacular
2003 - 6" Scale Miniature, Spectacular
2005 - Former John Crawley Engines
2006 - Made in Bedfordshire
2007 - Fowell & Co. Reunion