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The Nostell Priory Steam Fair

31^st May 2004
by John Cooper

It’s a bit of a convoluted and, to be honest, dull story why we ended up going to the steam fair at Nostell Priory. I had never been to a steam fair before and had no idea what to expect. Obviously there would be some traction engines and I knew that our branch of the Morris Minor Owners Club were going en masse, but apart from that I really knew nothing about the event.

Based upon some banners we saw as we approached, the first thing we worked out before we even got there was that we were attending the last day of the 3-day rally (it was the bank holiday weekend). After the obligatory disagreements with the stewards ‘organising’ the car parking we entered the showground.

The thing that immediately strikes you as you step out of the car is the sheer noise of the whole place. As you’d expect there were a lot of traction engines and steamrollers present, but what I wasn’t really ready for was the dozens of steam organs all playing at the same time. As you walk around, these are all sufficiently loud that you can ‘savour’ the music from each as you pass it, but once you are not stood immediately in the firing line, they just contribute to a background din. I’m sure that Freddie Mercury must have been turning in his grave at the sound of a medley of Queen songs being performed on a steam organ!

Don’t get me wrong here, this is not an unpleasant experience, it’s actually like being at a funfair. In fact, one of the most un-missable and striking exhibits was a steam carousel. In addition to this, there were traditional fairground rides such as dodgems and waltzers. The very sight of these normally strikes horror into me (and my wallet) having 2 young kids who want to go on everything, but to be fair the prices were extremely good and the rides stomach-churningly long.

But that’s enough about the ambience of the place.

I naturally have to start with the traction engines and steam rollers. The highlight here was undoubtedly when they were paraded in the main show ring. As they trundled past us the huge machines were making the ground give under their sheer weight before springing back into place. It’s hard to appreciate just how large some of the traction engines are until you stand along side one of the wheels and realise that they are towering above you.

As well as these, there was also a large number of static steam engines which had been brought along which were just left running on the back of the trucks on which they presumably arrived.

Earlier in the ring had been the classic tractors including a few by David Brown who I think went on to build a few cars of some renown!

But of most interest to us were obviously the classic cars. There were a few clubs who had come along, but apart from that there was a great selection of other classics – a greater variety than I‘ve seen for some time.

As with the steam engines, tractors and motorcycles, the classic cars paraded in the show ring, being led in by a convoy of Minis.

(Photographs courtesy of Daniel Cooper, 8)

This truly was a fantastic day out helped by the fact that, contrary to the forecasts, we had glorious weather. I don’t think I’ve been to a show with such atmosphere and variety before – there really is something for everyone.

Will I be going again next year? Definitely.

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