THE WEST OF ENGLAND STEAM ENGINE SOCIETY RALLY 2023 TAKES PLACE BETWEEN FRIDAY 18 AND SUNDAY 20 AUGUST AT STITHIANS SHOWGROUND NEAR PENRYN IN CORNWALL. ALL ABOARD FOR THE BEST STEAM RALLY IN CORNWALL 2023
Choo choo choose this event if you have a hankering for seeing a load of steam engines in action across a whole weekend in Cornwall. The West of England Steam Engine Society Rally 2023 will be a jam-packed celebration of all things vintage and steam-powered between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 August 2023. And then some. Head to this event at Stithians Showground near Ponsanooth and Penryn, between Redruth and Falmouth, for an incredible weekend of steam-related fun.
The 2022 event was a welcome return for the family-friendly rally after two years away thanks to that oh-so-lovely coronavirus. To mark the triumphant comeback, the organisers went all out to make the rally, the first of which took place way back in 1955 with just six steam engines, a raging success. They brought visitors ‘everything from steam engine trailer rides to vintage wood sawing’ and everything from ‘trade stands to heavy horse working demonstrations’. There was something for everyone, which is on the cards again for 2023.
Highlights at the West of England Steam Engine Society Rally 2023, which is billed as the oldest and largest steam engine rally in Cornwall, should include a whole host of full-sized steam engines across the site for the public to marvel at, with a fair few machines actually giving trailer rides around the show. Others will demonstrate how they work pieces of machinery ‘as they were designed to do’.
More than 20 full-sized steam engines will be on display at the 2023 rally, as well as live steam working miniatures, vintage cars and a dazzling array of tractors.
There’s always plenty of tractors, vintage cars, vintage motorcycles, stationary engines and model vehicle collections at the rally. Also expect craft products, a ‘working area’ with horse-powered implements, steam-driven machinery, wood sawing, rural craft demonstrations like thatching, forge work and wood turning, a fairground for the kids and big kids, loads of live music including brass bands and choirs, a beer tent, food stalls, market stalls, camping options and a sheaf pitching competition.
Expect more of that between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 August 2023. Hit up this fully charged event in Cornwall and let off some steam at the height of summer…