Plans in place for Slaidburn Steam Fair

The event, which has been running for the past 35 years, will be held over the weekend of June 13th and 14th in the grounds of the Hark to Bounty Inn, renowned for its good food and ale, from 10-30 am onwards.

Organiser and Slaidburn resident Dave McNamee says there has been a lot of interest in the fair with more vintage tractors than ever before.

A varied selection of steam engines are due to attend including two S4 Sentinel steam waggons and both will be travelling under their own power, one from Kirkham and the other from Oldham.

Dave has persuaded steam engineer Brian Allison to bring his Aveling & Porter roller 8794 “Ophelia” all the way from Shropshire. The diminutive six ton single cylinder roller was new in February 1919 to Dorset contractor The Eddison Steam Rolling Company and was based at their Brecon depot until 1958. Brian acquired the roller in derelict condition in 1992 and has fully restored the engine.

This will be alongside a slightly larger roller, Alan Porter’s 10 ton Burrell steam roller. Agricultural engines will be represented by the Clayton & Shuttleworth owned by George Coles and the Foster engine “Winnie” in the custody of agricultural engineer Phil Moston from Holmes Chapel. Completing the line up of steam engines will be Lyndon Shearman’s portable steam engine built c1850.

Included among the other steam engines will a wartime Merryweather steam fire pump owned by Derek Coulthard from Austwick. A half size Atkinson steam wagon owned by Alan Atkinson from Penwortham and a 4½” Burrell traction engine built and owned by James Allison.

Gerald Emerton from Nantwich in Cheshire will also be bringing one of his many vintage buses. This will be The Chaser, a Dennis 30cwt 16 seater, the type the Walker family, of Slaidburn, started the Bounty Motor Services with. Gerald will be showing a photographic display inside the bus of the buses that used to operate between Slaidburn and Clitheroe.

Other vintage vehicles will include more than 30 agricultural tractors, classic cars and historic commercials.

Country crafts on show are to include one of the last remaining clog makers, a stick dresser and a craft fair will be held in the village hall. Other attractions include the cake stall, tombola and raffles in the beer garden, fairground organs, the Lancashire Wallopers clog dancers, plus the Phil Knight Experience on Saturday night. On Sunday there will be a mouth watering hog roast.

The Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display first started in 1980 when David parked his steam roller outside the Hark to Bounty Inn. The following year, a fellow steam enthusiast brought his traction engine to Slaidburn.

The event is firmly established on the Steam Rally Calendar and since its start has raised £69,000 for village groups and organisations. The village bowling green was reinstated with proceeds from the rally, and the school, church, and the local playgroup have benefitted. Nearly £1,000 was given some years ago when the village cenotaph was restored and a similar amount has been raised towards the village hall. Two years ago £1,200 was given to the North West Air Ambulance.

The rally is not a commercial venture and is run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and the local population, and is situated within stunning scenery in the Hodder Valley.

This year’s proceeds are going to Slaidburn Parish Council and the Hodder Valley Agricultural Show.

After many grateful years of using Jim Pinder’s barn, the show is now looking to fund a purpose-built building.

For further information contact Dave McNamee on 01200 446605 or visit: www.slaidburnsteam.co.uk