Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre 2003

 

The Bedford Steam & Country Fayre 2003 was bigger and better than before. The weather was excellent, record crowds and loads to see. There were over 100 full-size steam engines in attendance which only made up a part of the 700 exhibits. The main theme was the 6" Scale section which had over thirty exhibits.

Many people said that two days wasn't long enough to look around the show any more, which includes the world famous Shuttleworth Collection and the fantastic Bird of Prey centre, entry to both of which was included in the admission price. So there was plenty to see with many tractors, cars, commercials, stationary engines, miniature steam, bygones, the fair, working displays; too much to mention.

New in the steam section there were many interesting exhibits. John Marin's K7 Ploughing engine was to be seen working for the first time in many years with partner "Linkey" owned by A. & M. Jones. Also ploughing was Fowler "Margaret" of 1870, the 'Salvage Squad' engine. From Wales came Pat Jenkins with his Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies overtype wagon of 1923, the only example in this country. David Ragsdale bought along Foster Single Cylinder tractor "Abigail" the only survivor of its type, which has been extensively rebuilt over a number of years. Robert Herring came with his 1914 Allchin Compound, one of only two survivors in this country, the other being David Davenport's which was also present. A third Allchin on site was Bill Bird's "Felicity". Rodney Timson from Norfolk came with his 1908 Fowler, whilst Chris Griffiths brought along the large Clayton & Shuttleworth "The Gaffer". Ernie & Rachel Eagle brought along the full and half size Marshall's "Old Nick" and "Little ol' Nick" as part of the special display.
Slide Show link
Burrell DCC Road Locomotive - Dorothy, 5 NHP, Built 1931, Works No. 4093, Reg. No. DV 9252.
Burrell Special Scenic Showman's Road Locomotive - Ex - Mayor, 10 NHP, Built 1925, Works No. 4000, Reg. No. WT 8606.
Burrell Showman's Road Locomotive - Nero, 5 NHP, Built 1915, Works No. 3669, Reg. No. G 6470
Burrell Showman's Road Locomotive - Earl Kitchener, 7 NHP, Built
Aveling & Porter Road Roller - Hallas, 10 Tons, Built 1918, Works No. 8956, Reg. No. AY 9690.
McLaren Tractor - Bluebell, 4 NHP, Built 1936,Works No. 1837, Reg. No. AAM 801.
Harry Lee Savage Double Steam Yachts Columbia and Shamrock
Foden Wagon - Icklingham Flyer, 4 Tons, Built 1913, Works No. 3510 Reg. No. M 4673.
Wallis & Steevens Oil Bath Tractor named Duke of Wellington, 4 NHP, Built 1930, Works No. 7872, Reg. No. OU 5247.
Fowler DNB Road Roller - Arfur, 12 Tons, Built 1930, Works No. 18659, Reg. No. 3969 DG
Aveling & Porter Road Roller, 4 Tons, Built 1911, Works No. 7385, Reg. No. FC 4016.
Garrett Superheated Traction Engine named Olive, 6 NHP, Built 1911, Works No. 29764, Reg. No. AC 9326.
Burrell S.C.C. Devonshire Engine named Spitfire, 6 NHP, Built 1903, Works

New to the Showman's line up was Paul Fowler with his large Foster "Victorious" which was to be found working in the fair alongside regular Burrell's "Ex-Mayor" and "Princess Mary". Another new Showman's was Keith Honour's Burrell "Margaret". The engine was previously in Dorset with Nick Baker who attended with "Duke of Kent", the Burrell Road Locomotive that was previously owned by Keith. Of great interest to many were the Saunders Collection "Harry Lee Steam Yachts" which had not attended a society event since Roxton Park in the mid 1980's.

New in the Road Making Section were three Aveling & Porter product's - No.'s 10556, 10647 and 12386 owned by Maurice Foreman, Roger West and Mervyn Button respectively.

Colin Knight bought along his Aveling & Porter Tractor "Sir Kay" and Jay Inge steamed her Ruston Proctor Tractor "Lucifer". Elaine Massey came with her interesting 1911 Garrett Superheated Traction Engine "Olive".

Geoff Scott Coomber had one of his Field Marshall tractors belted to his stone crusher. There was not only steam ploughing but also a great selection of tractors and some horses working.
Fowler Steam Tractor Mtoto, 4 NHP, Built 1917, Works No. 14406, Reg. No. U 4171.
Sentinel S4 Steam Waggon named Llamedos, 6 Tons, Built 1934, Works No. 9074, Reg. No. BEV 466.
Clayton and Shuttleworth Compound Wagon, 5 Ton, Built 1920, Works No. 48510, Reg. No. FE 3344.
Ruston & Hornsby Road Roller named Success, 10 Tons, Built 1928, Works No. 149813, Reg. No. VF 3186.
Sentinel S8 Steam Waggon named The Shrewsbury Flyer, 6 Tons, Built 1934, Works No. 9105, Reg. No. UJ 3652
Aveling & Porter R10 Road Roller named Mona, 10 Tons, Built 1900, Works No. 4604, Reg. No. PM 2141
Garrett 4cd Tractor named Adventurer, 4 NHP, Built 1918, Works No. 33296, Reg. No. BJ 5510
Garrett 4cd Tractor named Patricia, 4 NHP, Built 1921, Works No. 33991, Reg. No. FK 1300
Clayton & Shuttleworth Convertible Engine, 5 NHP, Built 1914, Works No. 46817, Reg. No. YA 2095.
Clayton & Shuttleworth Traction Engine named The Gaffer, 8 NHP, Built 1910, Works No. 43200, Reg. No. BE 8003.
Garrett Showman's Road Locomotive named British Hero, 6 NHP, Built 1908, Works No. 27160, Reg. No. AD 1891.
Garrett 4cd Showman's Tractor named Sapphire, 4 NHP, Built 1918, Works No. 33380, Reg. No. CT 4565.
Sentinel S6 Steam Waggon Reg. No. JG 4222, Works no. 8928.

There was once again a good wood sawing area with three benches in action - Andy Hill and Colin Brothwell had Rack benches whilst Herring Bros had their big Frame Saw working hard. Further down the field was the thrashing and again three sets working, two of Michael Watts and both steam driven and Peter Wheeler's tractor set.

As is usual now for our event there were some big Fairground organs in attendance including a welcome return by the Jonas Family from Cornwall with their 110 Key Gavioli.

Another popular attraction we have been lucky to host in the last few years is a derelict engine. This year it was Fowler A8 Compound Estate Engine "Bromyard Queen Nance", No. 11484 of 1909 and owned by Colin Piggott.

Saturday evening saw about 15 engines and other exhibits take a run to the White Horse at nearby Broom. Here they parked around the Green while crews took refreshment. Back at the rally field there was the big Saturday Night Steam Up which was made all the better with the spectacular Showman's line up around the Steam Yachts and Gallopers. In the Beer Tent "Rockin RevivaP' played. Friday night had seen a band "The Good 01' Boys" and on Thursday night Colin Rickards went down very well. In the daytime entertainment was supplied by the Pauline Reeder dancers, Winston the Singing Farmer, English Brass and the Baldock Midnight Morris Men.

Aveling and Porter E Type Road Roller, 10 Tons, Built 1923, Works No. 10647, Reg. No. PD 6727.
Fowell Traction Engines no's 91 and 92 CE 7856 and CE 7857
Aveling & Porter Road Roller, 12 Tons, Built 1923, Works No. 10556, Reg. No. NU 544.
Aveling & Porter F Type Road Roller, 10 Tons, Built 1922, Works No. 10269, Reg. No. PC 9203.
Burrell Traction Engine named Old Lytham, 6 NHP, Built 1898, Works No. 2112, Reg. No. TB 2849.
Sentinel S4 Steam Waggon, 6 Tons, Built 1934, Works No. 9032, Reg. No. US 5430.
Burrell Showman's Road Locomotive named Margaret, 5 NHP, Built 1922, Works No. 3926, Reg. No. NO 4999.
Burrell S.C.C. Traction Engine, 7 NHP, Built 1904, Works No. 2693, Reg. No. AH 9550
Burrell D.C.C. Traction Engine - Jessie, 7 NHP, Built 1922, Works No. 3923, Reg. No. EW 3026.
Foden C Type Wagon, 6 Tons, Built 1926, Works No. 12364, Reg. No. TW 4207.
Burrell D.C.C. Road Locomotive named Lord Kitchener, 7 NHP, Built 1914, Works No. 3633, Reg. No. HR 7754.

6" Scale Display

The special display at this year's Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre was 6" Scale exhibits and their full size counterparts.
There were 29 steamers, which included twelve Foden's, seven Burrell's, two Garrett's, two McLaren's, an Allchin, a Case, a Fowler, a Marshall, a Sentinel and a Wallis & Steevens. There was also a Walsh & Clark Ploughing Engine, a Scammell and an E1ddis Touring Caravan.

Both days saw a separate arena parade where full-size and half size counterparts went in side by side for comparison. On the Saturday, 21 of the steamers lined up in front of the house for a photographic opportunity. On Sunday eleven of the Fodens could be seen together.
Facts & Figures for 2003
  • 50 tons of coal was burned
  • 11.2 tons of rubbish was taken away
  • 18,000 gallons of water was used by engines
  • 14,000 pints of beer were drunk
  • 4,500 gallons of effluent was taken away
Sentinel S4 Steam Waggon, 6 Tons, Built 1934, Works No. 9016, Reg. No. HV 3856
Ransomes, Simms & Jefferies Model 8/1 Wagon, 5/6 Tons, Built 1923, Works No. 34270, Reg. No. SV 9177.
Super Sentinel Platform Waggon, 6 Tons, Built 1927, Works No. 6725, Reg. No. KA 5574.
Fowell Traction Engine named The Abbott, 7 NHP, Built 1904, Works No. 93, Reg. No. CE 7894.
Foden C Type Wagon nemed Santa Maria, 6 Tons, Built 1931, Works No. 13802, Reg. No. VN 2912.
Fowler Traction Engine named The Countess, 6 NHP, Built 1908, Works No. 11421, Reg. No. NT 117.
Marshall Traction Engine, 7 NHP, Built 1923, Works No. 76751, Reg. No. BT 6447.
Foster Showman's Road Locomotive named Victorious, 7 NHP, Built 1920, Works No. 14501, Reg. No. MD 983.
Burrell Traction Engine - Santon, 5 NHP, Built 1925, Works No. 4005, Reg. No. RL 574.
Marshall Traction Engine - Old Nick, 7 NHP, Built 1908, Works No. 49725, Reg. No. BW 4509