SUNSHINE, blue skies and the unmistakable smell of steam engines brought visitors in their thousands to Heddington for the village’s annual rally writes Trevor Porter.

With over 20 steam engines along with hundreds of displays and exhibits the Heddington and Stockley Rally and Country Fair lived up to its claim of being the counties biggest event of its type.

With displays of falconry, wood carving. horse ploughing, thatching ,country crafts fun dog show, fun fair and children’s area along with the line-up of steam engines, vintage cars, commercials motor cycles, and tractors the two day event had something for everyone

Steam Rally Chairman Jerry Field praised the band of volunteers who put in a huge amount of time and effort to organise the event.

He said: “I am privileged as chairman to steer the group of mainly villagers to stage this event which is firmly on the calendar for steam enthusiasts and visitors alike.

"The weather has been brilliant, and we have had some very positive feedback from the visitors and exhibitors saying it been one of the best events they have attended.”

Among the attractions was one of the oldest steam engines on the circuits -a 1895 Geiser Peerless, an American made machine that has wooden wheels.

Owner Ian Mackins explained it is a talking point to show it has got wooden wheels.

He said: “People just don’t believe this giant of a machine has got wooden wheels and have to take a close look at its clever design.”

And on a smaller scale was Melksham’s Andy Startain who has a line-up of Mamod miniatures engines. 

He said: “My parents bought me a model as a young man, and I’ve been collecting these over the past 40 odd years."

"All these I have bought as broken models and I enjoy repairing them and restoring them to their showroom condition."

"This year I have built a track for these little steamers to travel around and it’s proved to be a hit with both old and young visitors.”

No stranger to the Heddington rally is Pewsey’s Martin Hill who has been coming to the event since he was three.

He said:” I used to come to help my late father Colin display the Merryweather steam fire pump. Now I’m 41 and have only missed one rally in 38 years."

Martin was displaying the eight-ton 1925 Aveling and Porter that he looks after.

Another exhibitor keen to painstakingly look after a treasured vehicle was Derry Hill enthusiast Richard French who brought his Austin Burnham vintage car named Winston to the show.

He said: "Winston is an Austin 16/6 which was first registered in 1922 as a Hackney carriage and leased to the House of Commons until 1944, where I am told was specifically allocated for Winston Churchhill’s use. I bought the car back 14 years ago and soon as I discovered its history, I obviously named it Winston.”

"All these I have bought as broken models and I enjoy repairing them and restoring them to their showroom condition."

"This year I have built a track for these little steamers to travel around and it’s proved to be a hit with both old and young visitors.”

No stranger to the Heddington rally is Pewsey’s Martin Hill who has been coming to the event since he was three.

He said:” I used to come to help my late father Colin display the Merryweather steam fire pump. Now I’m 41 and have only missed one rally in 38 years."

Martin was displaying the eight-ton 1925 Aveling and Porter that he looks after.

Another exhibitor keen to painstakingly look after a treasured vehicle was Derry Hill enthusiast Richard French who brought his Austin Burnham vintage car named Winston to the show.

He said: "Winston is an Austin 16/6 which was first registered in 1922 as a Hackney carriage and leased to the House of Commons until 1944, where I am told was specifically allocated for Winston Churchhill’s use. I bought the car back 14 years ago and soon as I discovered its history, I obviously named it Winston.”

Heddington and Stockley Steam rally and Country fair is now in its 43rd year and started as a small event for a TV documentary.