Shropshire Star

Pictures and video: Shrewsbury Steam Rally goes down a treat

The theme for this year may have been horses, but machinery was still the big attraction at Shrewsbury Steam Rally.

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Thousands of visitors descended on Onslow Park for the annual event, which saw steam engines, tractors, vintage cars and a host of other exhibits pull in for the two-day event.

Continuing today, organisers hope that the good weather will continue on its second day.

Organised by the County of Salop Steam Engine Society, committee member Don Metcalfe said they were delighted with how the event was going so far.

He said: "The weather has stayed for us, we had a bit of a wet set-up but as we have steam rollers on site they have flattened the ground as it was quite churned up yesterday. We have about 1,000 exhibits. we've also got a new falconry display for the first time this year, which has come from Battlefield 1403."

This year's rally celebrates the horse and, among the 1,000 exhibits that have arrived in Shrewsbury for the event, there were 30 extra shire horses, some doing demonstrations of ploughing.

But steam engines and vehicles were still the order of the day, with everything from military vehicles, to vintage prams, commercial vehicles and steam cars.

Looking after a vintage van for show chairman Edward Goddard, was Paul Parker from Shrewsbury.

The 52-year-old HGV driver was making sure the vehicle, which originated from Montford Bridge.

The van itself had previously had its boiler restored on the programme Salvage Squad 10 years ago.

Showing off their 1927 steam haulage tractor was the Allison family, from Whixall near Wem.

Father Brian Allison, 51, said the family have had the vehicle for 35 years and recently completely rebuilt the boiler.

Mr Allison, who fixes steam engines for a living, was at the show with sons James, 19, Adam, 17, and Evan, 13.

He said: “Every year we drive down, we took it through the middle of Shrewsbury last night.

"We parked up at the Armoury and there were actually two outside. It does attract some attention. It is a very good show, there are vehicles from all over."

Gareth Jones had brought his 1909 Model U 20 horsepower Stanley up from the south coast. Mr Jones, who works for Morris Lubricants, imported the steam-powered car from the United States in 1997.

He said: "You meet old friends here every year."

Enjoying the show was 39-year-old Sarah Hurdley, who was there with fiance Shane Hall, daughter Lucy Hall, four, and Shane's mother Ellen Hall. The family from Aqueduct near Telford say they really enjoy the show and have been coming for about 30 years, since it was the Bishop's Castle rally.

Also enjoying the sunshine was the Platt family from Randlay.

Mother Amanda and father Matt were there with son Ryan, eight, and Chloe, five, both pupils at Randlay Primary School.

She said: "We're really enjoying it, this is the first time we've been."

Mr Platt added: "We came for Ryan because he is interested in tractors and machinery.

"So far the exhibits have been very good, excellent."

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