A CLOSING event for the Crofton Beam Engines steaming year will be taking place, inviting everyone along to the historic site for one last blow out.

The Steam Gala will be taking place next weekend (September 24/25) at the beam engine site just off Crofton Road, Crofton, near Marlborough. As well as the functioning beam engines, a number of family orientated activities will be taking place to provide entertainment for all ages.

Peter Turvey, of Poulton Hill, Marlborough, chairman of the Crofton branch of the Kennet and Avon canal, said: “We are going to have a large amount of attractions for people to come along and enjoy. There will be music, a barbecue, a ride on the Kennet and Avon canal by boat and children may even be able to meet the boiler bear. Our volunteers will be dressed in period costumes so it will feel very Victorian. We are hoping to get lots of people come along to the event, it is usually very popular.”

The gala will also be raising money for the Beam Engine boiler appeal which was launched earlier this year. The appeal originally aimed to raise £27,500 to pay for repairs to the boiler so the engines can carry on functioning.

“We are about three quarters of the way to our fundraising goal, the repairs are going to now cost £45,000 which is more than we originally expected. We want to get an expert to carry out the repairs but they are usually quite hard to find and get booked up very quickly,” added Mr Turvey.

The Crofton Steam Gala will be taking place from 10am to 5pm on both days, entry to the gala costs £4 for adults and free for children under the age of 16. To walk around the boiler house will be extra, costing £6 for adults, £5 for seniors and free for children under the age of 16.