Visitors from as far away as Devon drop into the cream of the steam crop for another spectacular Haddenham weekend

Haddenham Steam Rally, (Image: Archant)

The sun shone for the Haddenham Steam Rally, now into its 42nd year, attracting more than 700 exhibits and huge crowds to marvel at the good old days of engineering.

Rare pieces like the 1912 Ely fire brigade engine and a Tuxford engine, one of only 17 in the world, were on show alongside 80 trade stands and fun fair rides, all of which raised thousands of pounds for local good causes.

Rally secretary Ruth Young said that if the weather was right the annual event could attract around 12,000 people.

She said: “Its grown year on year. The furthest people have come from is Devon. Many people do the circuit. They then come to us and then the Bedford show next weekend.

Haddenham Steam Rally, Lily Oliver, catches a ride with Nathan Jennings, from Sutton, (Image: Archant)

“It’s changed over the years, health and safety does make it a little bit more difficult,” she said, but the weekend show remained a firm family favourite with toddlers up to grandparents.

Trevor Brown, the first chairman of the rally, told how the event started out when a bunch of enthusiasts got together in a field with and held a rally back in 1971.

“It’s grown tremendously,” he said.

In the year England won the World Cup, galloping horses were added to the event, and gradually more exhibitors have come from all over the country, he said.

“Some of the original exhibitors from the first year are still here. There is chat, reminiscing. Times have changed but in this field nothing changes really.

“It’s lovely to see youngsters driving engines and young lady welders on rally fields driving engines.”

In 2011 the rally became a charity in its own right and over the years has donated thousands of pounds to community groups including the local village schools, churches and doctors surgeries.