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Wiltshire steam & vintage rally
10 June 2023 @ 9:00 am – 11 June 2023 @ 5:00 pm
The Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group is making preparations for the annual Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally, at Lydiard Park. The news has spread that last years event was a huge success, and we have over 700 things to see at the 2023 show.
Lydiard Park proved very popular with the steam engine exhibitors, with 20 full size engines, the oldest to be on display was built in 1894, whilst we also have a recently restored entry from 2021. The car section has also expanded, with 220 vehicles booked in. This year, we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Land Rover, with a special section displaying every model of the Land Rover family, including military and emergency service examples.
The Steam & Heavy Haulage Arena will be in action all day, alongside the main arena displays, so there will always be something on the move. We have doubled the miniature steam engine section to 37, and they will also be moving amongst the crowds this year. There will be over 60 vintage tractors attending and heavy horses, allowing us to demonstrate agricultural engineering over the last 135 years. For those who need a slightly easier weekend, we have over 600ft of trade and our Craft Tent will be full of high quality gifts and crafts.
The REME Museum is supporting the event again by be displaying some rarely seen exhibits from their collection. Whilst they are providing the heaviest of the 700 exhibits at this years event, the highest and fastest exhibit will be courtesy of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with the Spitfire and Lancaster due to make an appearance over Swindon.
Nick Wood, Chair, said “We have something for everyone, far to much to list, so best come along and see what’s about, speak to the owners and find out what the story is behind some of the exhibits here, including something weighing in at 51 tonnes, designed to wade in the sea, up to 11 ft deep. Also for those wanting to sit themselves near the arena, we have many vehicles parading and our commentator, Chris, engaging with their owners”.
Exhibitors can visit www.wapg.co.uk to download an entry form, or use the online option. Entry on the day for visitors is £12 adult, under 16 FREE. Early bird tickets of £10 are available from our website up until a week before the event. Standard tickets will then still be available.
Preserving the past, for the future.
The group was first formed in 1974 as the Wiltshire Branch of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, with the first meetings being held at Cadley Garage. Now the club has around 100 members, along with an active social media following, and arranges monthly meetings for the membership and three major events, the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally, Vintage Tractor Road run and Crank Up and Vintage Ploughing Match. The group, which became a registered charity in 2019, gives donations to various charities. To date the group has donated £60,500 over the last 13 years.
