Disorder at steam rallies

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

I telephoned a supplier to hopefully place a pre rally order for the upcoming Lincoln Steam Rally but he told me he would not be attending because of his stall being attacked by disorderly Travellers at the last couple of rallies he has attended. He also mentioned Pickering. Any information or experience of this sort of thing?

Mick

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

I live a few miles from Lincoln and have acquaintances who attend with engines and exhibits so I always attend this event. I was told that some unruly elements had caused some trouble although this was obviously before Covid which resulted in the event being cancelled since the last one in 2019. In casual conversation with those more 'in the know' than myself I have been assured that as far as they are concerned the issues have been resolved and they will be attending as usual. I am looking forward to attending this event on Saturday myself and don't anticipate any problems. I will be disappointed for the organisers if there are any issues arising because they always do such a great job at this event.

[Pete RimmerParticipant @peterimmer30576]

Posted by mick H on 17/08/2022 09:49:27:

He also mentioned Pickering.

Mick

Ronnie Pickering?

[Andy ChancerParticipant @andychancer17241]

Posted by Pete Rimmer on 17/08/2022 22:23:11:

Posted by mick H on 17/08/2022 09:49:27:

He also mentioned Pickering.

Mick

Ronnie Pickering?

Who?

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

It was my understanding that the Pickering Rally ceased several or more years ago when the company that promoted it suffered some business difficulties. It is also my understanding that this resulted in two separate, but smaller, competing rallies being organised in the North Yorkshire district. I do stand to be corrected on this and would try to attend the Pickering Rally if has been resurrected. It did used to be a great rally but, like Topsy, just growed and growed over the years until, IMO, it became unwieldy which I can imagine caused some security issues which may have contributed to its demise. Good while it lasted though.

Edited By Chris Crew on 17/08/2022 22:52:17

[Andy ChancerParticipant @andychancer17241]

Pickering was advertised to be on until about a month before the date,it was cancelled,I don’t know why….

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

Posted by Andy Chancer on 17/08/2022 22:54:44:

Pickering was advertised to be on until about a month before the date,it was cancelled,I don’t know why….

Has the Pickering rally been resurrected, even if it was subsequently cancelled? Before it ceased they always used to have posters up in local shops at least as far south as here in Lincolnshire and gave the shopkeepers a couple of free tickets to display them. I know this because a local fish and chip owner who had no interest in the rally himself used to give them to me.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Thanks for the reassurance gents. The Lincoln Rally is, in my opinion, the finest value for money that you could ever get for a day full of fantastically varied interest and entertainment. See you on Saturday.

Mick

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

Posted by mick H on 18/08/2022 08:06:13:

Thanks for the reassurance gents. The Lincoln Rally is, in my opinion, the finest value for money that you could ever get for a day full of fantastically varied interest and entertainment. See you on Saturday.

Mick

Mick, I agree with you 100%. A full day's activities, large displays of all modes of vintage transport, various indoor exhibitions, a large outdoor market for the ladies plus ample free parking thrown in and all for a tenner!

[Mark Gould 1Participant @markgould1]

Posted by Pete Rimmer on 17/08/2022 22:23:11:

Posted by mick H on 17/08/2022 09:49:27:

He also mentioned Pickering.

Mick

Ronnie Pickering?

Not lost on me 😂😂😂

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

See this Pickering Traction Engine Rally 2022 (theeventsoffice.com)

Sadly there has always been elements that try to disrupt vintage Rally's, one that I've displayed at for 20+ years employs a security firm because of previous problems, some while ago at another rally I displayed at you could have your generator nicked in the evening and buy it back the next day on one of the stalls and there was one case of a lady making her family lunch when the caravan started moving, she opened the door and kicked up a fuss and the vehicle that was towing it was blocked from moving any further. When I rally I carry several chains and padlocks to stop my trailer going walkies.

Martin P

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

I was a visitor at the Lincoln rally today and a grand day out it was indeed. May I express my appreciation of the organisers, all the exhibitors and the traders who attended in the face of obviously rising costs. However, the field seemed to be somewhat less densely populated than pre-Covid events but I hope that this first post-Covid event is financially successful enough for the organisers to consider staging it again next year. There were plenty of fine examples of transport heritage to admire but the market was notably smaller, although at least four 'model engineer' type stalls in attendance, and there were a few vacant areas on the showground which I had not noticed at previous events. Also, there seemed to be a little less 'buzz and bustle' about the field but nevertheless it was well worth taking the trip over and we should hopefully look forward to next year.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

I concur with Chris above. The reduction in the number of stalls was a little disappointing but as far as I could establish the main reason was the cost of a stall and the toll taken by Covid. It was still a good day out for a tenner and we still did not get round to seeing everything. It is on again today if anyone is tempted.

Mick

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I can understand stall holders deciding not to turn up, I'm not a stall holder but I do take stuff for sale to Bring and Buys, stationary engine parts, tools and the like, one of the biggest attended Oakley moved further west to the other side of Oxfordshire last year, it used to take an hour and fifteen minutes to get there but now its two and a quarter hours, it opens at seven so that means leaving before home five but thats not the main reason, the cost of fuel and entry fee means I've got to sell around £60 to cover the costs, twice a year, rallies have to cover there costs but some seem to request a lot of money from stall holders. The last time I rallied at the GDSF stall holders were being charged 100's. Fortunately a bring and buy has started up thirty minutes from me now but this year it clashes with something else I'm attending.

Martin P

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

I attend steam rallies with a stall most are OK but there are the few that spoil it for everyone and that is not just from the visiting public.

I have heard from other stall holders that attend the Dorset fair that there was a lot of theft going on.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I've been at a Festival event and an Agricultural show in the last month

Both attendance and stall numbers are noticeably down from pre-pandemic levels

 

The problem still seems to be that people aren't so much afraid of dying, they are afraid of living

Edited By Ady1 on 21/08/2022 11:07:31

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