‘Wow, what a weekend’ was the response of Kington’s Vintage Society following their 18th vintage rally on the weekend.
Mixed weather on Saturday gave way to a warm and sunny day on Sunday, which saw the crowds pour in to the Rec to view the huge display of classic and vintage vehicles.
The show was officially opened by the Mid Wales Journal’s chief reporter Karen Evans and photographer Andrew Compton after an introduction by show presidents Mr and Mrs Lawrence Banks.
On Saturday, Robert Jones described all the vehicles that paraded around the ring on the microphone, then on Sunday, John Hussey kept the crowds amused and informed.
The show welcomed a record number of 70 commercial vehicles, from light vehicles to double decker buses, in a section organised by show chairman Roddy Griffiths.
Alongside the commercials was a very impressive group of large and medium large American vehicles overseen by John and Trudy Newman. The motorcycle and push bicycle section was hosted by Trevor and Gill Dickerson and they too had a record entry of machines of all makes and sizes.
Geoff Jones hosted the 85 stationary engines and there were vintage caravans from the Yesterdays Caravan Club and the Historic Caravan Owners Club, hosted by Rob Carthew and Barry Lord respectively.
A sparkling line of pre-1960 cars were hosted by John Brooks and more than 120 post 1960 cars were controlled by Allen Wait.
The normal classic section also hosted clubs from all over the country, including the Black Country Classic Ford Club from Dudley, Hereford Bullseye Mini Owners Club, Glamorgan Classic Car Club, Hereford Historic Vehicle Club, Knighton Classic Car Club, Gwent MG Owners Club and Hereford Landrover Club.
Gary Dickerson hosted the steamer section, which included three large steamers and a scaled down engine. He also hosted the tractor and plant section, which included over 70 exhibits, many from the Leominster Club.
The crowds were also able to see a working threshing box which was manned by Brian Griffiths and Barry Evans, showing how the wheat was threshed in the days of steam and belt drive.
Graham Dickerson hosted the Landrover and military sections and both of these saw record entries, while Trevor Dickerson hosted the static display sections and various gazebos which contained collections of everything imaginable.
The Wye Valley Axemen provided a breath-taking display and there were many traders and charity stalls organised by Bob Simcock and a car boot sale, overseen by Clive Griffiths and Jayne Griffiths. The very busy refreshments tent was run by Sue Turner and her daughters Ann and Alison, with the help of Kington Festival Committee and in the marquee there were many tables of models arranged by John Fletcher.
This year’s children’s entertainer Stewart St Paul performed a wonderful routine for the youngsters.
Show secretary Mick Rand said: “Thanks also go Martin Hughes and Peter Jones of Arrow Plant and Stuart Player of Occassion Marquees and Borderloos. Also to Gary Barnett and his family for spending three days with us ensuring the loudspeaker system runs smoothly. Also onsite were several Squads of the ATC who also manned our gates both days. The Order of St John was at hand to treat the odd wasp-sting and minor injury and the local police had a community tent to help and inform all who visited. Wow, what a weekend.”
PICTURES
TOP: Kington’s Chris Jones proudly shows his 1931 Daimler Landaulette at the show. There are only a handful of these cars in the country.
MIDDLE: Twelve-year-old Lewis Mason with his 2004 4 inch scale Burrell traction engine.
BOTTOM: Mid Wales Journal chief reporter Karen Evans and her partner, photographer Andy Compton, in front of the 1890 Gibbons and Robinson traction engine which Karen steered around the show ring as part of the opening ceremony.
Pictures by: Andy Compton
DON’T FORGET: You’ll find more of Andy’s pictures from the rally in this week’s Mid Wales Journal, on sale now.