Heddington & Stockley Steam Rally & Country Fair

Organisers of the Heddington & Stockley Steam Rally & Country Fair were keen to offset carbon emissions due to the event on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2.

Steam engines run on fossil fuels such as coal, so it is impossible to run a steam rally without generating emissions.

With that in mind, the event organisers made a significant donation from last year’s event to the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust to help them fund the planning of many trees along the line of the old canal to provide a green corridor across the area.

Steam rally committee chairman Jerry Field said: “This is a very popular event attracting visitors from all over Wiltshire and beyond.

“We are pleased that we have been able to maintain our entry prices as the same level as last year despite the inevitable cost increases, we have seen for the provision of goods and services.

“This is our 47th year and we would like to pay tribute to the volunteer committee members for their efforts in organising this popular event.”

Melksham’s Ian Lucas with the 1904 Aveling and Porter best known as the steam roller from the film Titfield Thunderbolt. Photo: Trevor Porter 69962-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Back on a show was the 1904 Aveling and Porter ten-ton roller a machine that once featured in a popular 1950s film.

Ian Lucas of Melksham said: "This old girl is better known as the roller from the 1953 film The Titfield Thunderbolt, driven in the film by Sid James and it’s an engine with local history.

“It once belonged to Barnes of Southwick, the company that used to be contractors to Wiltshire County Council for road construction.

Among the dozen full size steamers was a Mann Patching roller belonging to Beckington’s Chris Wood.

He said: “She is the last of 29 machines made and was brought back into steam 13 years ago. It’s good to see machines like this restored and back into full working order as part of our heritage.”

Mark Gardener with Hercules, the powerful McLaren steam engine exported to Italy in 1910 and recently returned to the UK. Photo Trevor Porter 69962-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Among the dozen full size steamers was Hercules- the most powerful steamer on show and with an interesting history.  

This McLaren Heavy haulage steam engine was exported new to Italy in 1910 for direct ploughing.

Around 1920 it was coveted to a 23-tonne road roller and in 1937 Mussolini commandeered it to make 2,500 miles of roads. In 2015 it was returned to England and has undergone full restoration.

Alongside the biggest selection of steamers in the county were dozens of stationary engines, scores of vintage tractors, vintage motorcycles and hundreds of vehicles from yesteryear.

Great Bedwyn’s Steve Gibbons with his restored 1922 Ford Model T motor car. Photo: Trevor Porter 69962-10 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Among these was restored 1922 Model T Ford car entered at the show by Great Bedwyn’s Steve Gibbons, who has gathered together the history of this Canadian-built car since he brought it back from over the pond.

Alongside the 600 examples of vintage and veteran machines on display were a whole range of attractions for the thousands of visitors.

They included lawn mower racing, clay pigeon shooting, Jennings Fairground, circus workshops, birds of prey, wood carvings, archery displays, a Shetland Pony display and a dog show.