Full steam ahead as 50th Masham rally proves record-breaking

Wendy Dawes from Newton le Willows, near Bedale, polishing the plaque on her family owned 1902 Marshall Coumpond Agricultural Engine at the 50th Masham Steam Rally. (GL1006/59b)

IT FIRST started as a modest affair to raise desperately needed funds to save the town hall from ruin and 50 years on, this weekend’s Masham Steam Rally was bigger than ever before.

Still staged in aid of the same cause, the two-day rally at Masham showground in North Yorkshire attracted record entries and bumper crowds.

Thousands of visitors checked out 40 steam traction engines including one created in 1872, over 60 vintage commercial vehicles, 100 tractors and 60 classic cars, while the T&R Theakston Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best exhibit in show went to rally stalwart Stuart Ritchie for his 1930 Foden Compound Cylinder Tractor.

On the Saturday, eight of the original ten committee members led the event’s grand parade in the main ring aboard a vintage bus to mark the show’s 50th year.

Flo Grainger, the rally’s chief co-ordinator, said: “This year’s show has exceeded our expectations by a mile. The whole feeling of the show has been so friendly.

“For a small country market town to have kept it going for 50 years is quite amazing and I think our original committee members are very pleased.”