SUMMER DATE SET

The founder of Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle event is confident that this country fair, which attracts exhibits from far and wide, will go ahead this summer

Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Fair is celebrating its 40th event this summer and it promises to bigger and better than ever!

Following the cancellation of the event last year, hopes are high that this year’s event will take place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June at the Hark to Bounty, Slaidburn, which has been the location of the event since it began.

“We are cautiously optimistic that this year’s event will go ahead,” explains event founder and organiser David McNamee. “With the restrictions hopefully lifted by 21st June, we have chosen 26th and 27th and in the run up to those dates, I think we will have a pretty good idea whether it can take place. The way things are going, we are very hopeful.”

Already the event has attracted attention: “We have a dozen steamers wanting to come,” adds David. “We also have 50 plus vintage tractors and the same number of vintage and classic cars, so there is plenty of interest already.”

Traditionally the event also attracts many and varied craftsmen and women including basket weavers and clog makers along with country entertainment, with the proceeds this year to be split between Slaidburn Primary School and Dunsop Bridge Primary School.

“The recipients will be heavily involved in the event too,” adds David. “At the last event we organised a Sunday barbecue and it was a great success. Everyone was very enthusiastic.”

With no committee, the show accepts all exhibits: “We have never turned any away,” recalls David, who is helped by his wife Jean along with a small local team, in organising the event.

Held outdoors in fields surrounding the Hark to Bounty inn, the fair has been a long-standing country attraction for four decades: “People really look forward to it,” adds David. “Because of where it is held, and the rural nature of the event, it traditionally attracts many folk from surrounding villages – so sometimes these people don’t see one another from one show to the next. It’s a really nice way of getting people together and it is always much anticipated. We have had lots of positive feedback.”

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