One of the several birds of prey.

Mr D A Baker's 1926  11.9hp Morris Cowley Bullnose

Getting ready for  the road making exhibition.

These steam driven gallopers were built in 1898 and  have been in the Down's family for three generations.

Any one for a ride?

Paul Clark's 4 1/2" Wallis and Steevens Steam Roller.

One of the  38 working horses present at the show.

Also at the Essex Country Show was Alex Bareham who took the following  photographs and they remain his copyright.

Wallis and Steevens traction engine" Eileen The Erring" built in 1919 works No. 7683. In the driving seat is Colin Ashdown and giving a hand in belting up are Steve White, Bob Manning and Paul Jackson. The engine was used to drive a Ransomes threshing drum.

One of two Fowler ploughing engines owned by Robert and Toni Pegram seen hard at work under a threatening sky.

This "experimental" Fowler is owned by Ruth Atkinson of Billericay. It is believed it was a prototype for the W.D., but the  first  world war ended before the project was completed.

This little Ransomes steam tractor seems all steamed up and ready to go from its covered road transport wagon.

Not one of the front runners when it comes to volume, but this Dutra D4K owned by Mr Haywood of Wadhurst was an interesting  item in the Vintage Tractor section.

Bristol's, when compared with the likes of Ford and Ferguson, were never built in large quantities. Some say they were a good tractor that never caught on. This crawler is owned by Mr W Thorburn of Rochester, Kent.

Aveling and Porter Roller "George" built in 1917 and owned by Mr Peter Copeman of Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

A beautifully turned out Foden steam wagon owned by Mr D Williamson of Bedfordshire.

A fine 6inch. Devonshire, owned by Mrs W.E Haine.

Colin Alexander's 4in. Burrell.

THURLOW RALLY

Pictures copyright Alex Bareham

Despite wet and windy weather during the morning of Saturday 14th August, Thurlow Rally organiser Michael Pumfrey, tells me that attendances over the period of the two day show were" average" when many similar events are down on numbers compared with last year.The rally this year also coincided with the Rougham Airshow. Well over 20 full size engines and over 30 models, organs and bygones took part together with good numbers in the tractor and vintage and classic vehicle sections.

An extra attraction at this years rally was this freelance 10 1/2   inch gauge locomotive. Owned and driven by John Littlechild.

A familiar sight in many a stackyard  until the 1950s  was a "nodding donkey " baler. Pictured driving the baler is Barry Peacock's 6nhp Ransomes Sims and Jefferies traction engine "Garioch Queen. Works No. 31298, built 1919.

Keith Honour's 4nhp Marshall portable "Lady M". This engine has just undergone a two year restoration and is pictured on saw bench duties.

The tractor section is always well supported at Thurlow, with over 70 entries this year. Pictured is a 1960 Power Major, complete with winch, and is owned and driven by Ian Prince of Billericay.

The 4inch Mclaren showmans engine "Lady Jennifer", built and driven by Terry Baxter of Sudbury, leads a "gaggle" of engines into the arena.

Saturday 13th August was a happy day for Matt and Liz Garwood of Sudbury, as it was their 6th wedding anniversary. They are pictured with a very shy two years old Hannah, and their Aveling and Porter roller, Works No.2941.

WOOLPIT RALLY

Pictures copyright Alex Bareham

Woolpit Steam, as the organisers call it, is one of the smaller events in the East Anglian rally diary. However what it lacks in area it makes up for in the variety and range of exhibits held at Warren Farm, Wetherden, Suffolk. on the 4th and 5th of June.

A regular on the local rally circuit is Natal Taylor with his Wallis and Stevens 7nhp expansion engine "Faith". She was purchased by Natal in 1965, after laying derelict for 16 years.

The Seven seater Stanley Steamer, owned by Mr B Green of Willingale, builds up quite a speed in the ring.

One of the rarest tractors at the rally in fact the only known one in the UK was this 1928 Rumley "Doall." It is now owned by Mr William Engleman of Saffron Walden.

A Burrell 4nh tractor, owned by Mr J.W Downs of Tilbury engaged in saw bench duties.

Pictures copyright Alex Bareham

Set in the leafy surrounds of Strumpshaw Park, complete with working museum and "proper toilets" the Strumpshaw rally must be one of the highlights in the rally calendar. The "Strumpy" never ceases to please, despite whatever the weather and this year   following weeks of little or no  rain it was hot and dusty.

Nine Field Marshalls all attempting to start at the same time. For many contractors and farmers the "Marshall" replaced their steam engines.

A fireman sprays the main arena in an attempt to keep the dust at bay !

Rally regulars, Marshall Agriculture Engine "Old Nick" No. 79725 with 6inch scale model "Little Old Nick", Both are owned and operated by the Eagle family.

Ransomes Sims and Jefferies traction engine "Garioch Queen" No. 31298 built  in 1919. Owned and operated by members of the Peacock family.

Shand Mason's steam fire engine "Thorney" built in 1909 and used on  the Duke of Bedford's estate. Now under the ownership of the Beds. and Luton Fire and Rescue Service Steamer Group 0015.

Ready to enter the arena, 6inch. scale model Burrell traction engine "Harriet" owned and driven by Mr R. Walton. Behind is another 6inch , a Garrett 4CD tractor "The Wanderer" owned and driven by Mr A Sargent.

Six year old George Venn, who comes from Leeds, at the wheel of his Granddad's 6inch Foden three way tipper.

Although a small event the Easter Steam Up proved as ever a very popular and enjoyable event, held this year at  The Butchers Arms, at North End, Essex.

Pictures copyright Alex Bareham

Engine line up with Jeremy Freeman's 7nhp single cylinder Burrell. in the foreground. This was the last engine to be made at Thetford, Serial No. 4088.

Mr Nigel Underwood who was helping with the 8nhp Burrell scenic showman's engine belonging to the John Saunders Collection. Looks as if Nigel decided to sit a spell after preparing this magnificent engine.

Fowler "Sir Douglas", a regular visitor to steam ups, dwarfs 4in. scale Burrell owned by Wendy Taylor of Thaxted.

The Presidents Burrell Showman's engine prior to being  lined up to provide electrical power for the organ.