Full steam ahead for show rally
Steam enthusiasts are gearing up for this weekend's rally being held at Onslow Park, near Shrewsbury.
The County of Salop Steam Rally takes place on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
The Portsmouth Action Field Gun Display Team will undertake the South Africa Challenge, when a Command 1 tonne, 12-pounder field gun and limber will be raced across the main arena. The challenge will involve the PAFG teams racing each other to dis-assemble and re-assemble the Field Gun on the carriage and fire a blank at each end of the run.
Edward Goddard, society chairman said: “We are delighted to welcome the Portsmouth Action Field Gun team, and the sights and sounds of what promises to be an action-filled display will excite and delight our visitors.
"Field Gun is still regarded as one of the toughest team sports in the world where discipline and teamwork are paramount.
"It is a spectacular and exciting event, pushing competitors to the limit and beyond. When the two Field Gun crews (consisting of 18 men apiece) compete to be the first to haul a field gun and limber over walls and ramps and across a chasm in the main arena the end result is a lot of fun for spectators. We are also privileged to have the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s working model of one of Richard Trevithick’s engines, which will be demonstrated on a 60metre track, providing a fabulous steam spectacle.”
The rally will also feature a joint exhibition with the Mary Webb Society about Mary Webb, Shropshire’s poet and authoress to commemorate the 90th anniversary of her death, and the centenary of the publication of her first book: Gone to Earth. The film of the book featured a Foster steam traction engine named Matilda, originally owned by Shaws of Farley, and currently owned by Richard Wilcox. There will be a separate marquee to show various films including Gone to Earth, by Flix in the Sticks.
There will also be working steam engines, and beautifully preserved classic vehicles from yesteryear along with commercial vehicles, including buses and fire engines, vintage cycles, working horses, vintage tractors, pre-and post World War II cars, classic motorcycles, military vehicles and prams.
The working field has a full programme of agricultural activities including working tractors and the static tractors on display. The event plays host to a bee-keeper, wheelwright, corn dolly maker, live blacksmith demonstrations, and cider making. Over 240 tractors will be on view on the showground.
Visitors can buy tickets online at www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk
