2nd WORKS OPEN DAY & VINTAGE RALLY 2nd and 3rd October
Following the success of last years rally we have planned for a 2 day event being held over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd of October. Details will be posted nearer the time but this year we are hoping to have a new section for commercials dedicated to the AEC Matador and Militant . This new section will be organized by Martyn Callaghan, who owns several matadors and has over 20 years experience of them. For those of you who know him please contact him through the AEC Society for more details.
highlights of last years event
Our first public open day and vintage rally was an outstanding success, more than we could have hoped for. The sun shone all day and the exhibits just kept rolling in. The car section which was to be under cove soon filled the large barn and a good number of cars were on display out side. A wide range of vehicles were present but my personal favorite was the 1914 Perry car, owned by Rodney Withers, I was fortunate enough to have a ride in it too.
What a wonderful car and a very happy owner
A fine collection of cars, the red Austin Healey had completed a London to Mexico Rally. The small Austin J40 pedal cars were from one of our fairground rides from the 1970s. now owned and restored by Ed Cummings.
We had two railways set up, a 10 1/4 " gauge line and this 2 foot gauge demonstration line. Here we see driver Pete Nicholas, one of our helpers , and chairman of the Gwili Steam railway ,on Graham Lee`s Hunslet locomotive "Statfold". Other motive power was Brian Faulkerners Lister rail truck and my son ,Dan`s new build Lister" Quarryman" loco. A freelance 4wd p/m, which he has designed himself, with a little help from me........ Using an early Lister G" petrol engine of 1942! We are planning on taking it to a few other 2 foot gauge in the near future for trials, Hopefully Amberley Museum.
Dan Nemeths new build Lister"Quarryman" Finished only hours before and much admired and photographed, All three locos spent the day shunting skip wagons in and out of the sidings for the enjoyment of the public. Dan is hoping to take it to a number of other 2 foot gauge lines soon.
Chris pratt and son Jonathon proudly standing by their Bristol L bus, Chris spent three years and a fortune restoring her to perfection. through out the day they took passengers on a 6 mile round trip to Severn Beach and back, I even managed to get a seat myself. The ride was fantastic,
My youngest daughter Victoria in original 1940s Women's Land Army costume spent most of the day walking around the site talking to many people and received many kind comments, Vicky is only 15 years old and is a great sport . I am very proud of her.
For a more extensive coverage of the event visit www.tractiontalkforum.com and see "show reports"
More to follow,