All The Fun Of The Fair
Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display is once again being held at the Hark to Bounty and this year’s event promises to bigger and better than ever
Now in its 42nd year, over which time it has raised £97,000, Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display is once again being organised by David McNamee and his small team of volunteers.
At a time when coal and insurance costs are forcing many steam engine rallies to fold, Slaidburn continues thanks to the generosity of the steam engine and land owners: “We are very fortunate in that we have the land behind the Hark to Bounty and the engine owners come out to the rally on their own goodwill,” says David, who as a mark of gratitude last year presented each engine owner with a calendar featuring the rally.
“One of the biggest things we have to contend with is the cost of coal, it’s like black gold but we still provide it for the engine owners.”
This year there will be 12 full size traction engines and eight miniatures, a traditional fairground engine, swing boat rides and hook a duck, along with a host of rural crafts and attractions for all the family.
Crafts include clog-making, basket weaving, a working spinning wheel, a local blacksmith with his anvil and a potter.
Other attractions include the popular team from Slaidburn Archive, a homemade cake stall and on Saturday evening the Coppersmiths will be entertaining in the pub. On Sunday the Malkin clog dancers will make an appearance at the barbecue, which is held undercover in one of two marquees.
Also on Sunday there will be vintage cars and tractors on display.
This year, all proceeds are going to Slaidburn Community Practice and Slaidburn Village Hall.
“There is a lovely atmosphere at the fair and one of the nicest compliments we have received was from an Australian guy who was in the UK for six months touring around all the steam events. He attended Slaidburn and said it was one of the friendliest he had been to,” says David, who is exhibiting his own 1910 Bamford Corn Grinder.
“It was used up until five years ago so that’s testament to the quality of manufacture.”
