Banbury (Bloxham) Steam Rally, (23rd - 24th June, 2018)
This is one of a series of pages I have uploaded to illustrate facets of the steam rallies we have attended in the UK. Click here for the 2018 introduction and overall index.
This was the 50th Banbury Steam Rally, although it seems to be increasingly marketed as the Bloxham Steam Rally. To the outsider, it seems to be still going through a sticky patch, the signs are that the accountants have been combing the books to look for ways to economise. Back in 2014, rather more than 30 engines attended after which the numbers dipped only to recover to a similar number this year. At the same time, the small arena and the associated displays have disappeared and the Sheep Show no longer attends. The rally now has a large steam engine 'Play Pen' but I saw just two engines enter it and then it seems if was to pose for photographs. I am told that on Saturday the place was 'heaving', we attended on the Sunday when the weather was warm and sunny throughout. Visitor numbers were no more than 'OK' but it was competing with an England World Cup fixture. Having been for the morning in 2017, we chose to go in the afternoon this time which worked well although in truth, with the glorious weather, it was always going to be a 'turkey shoot', it was largely a question of waiting till the crowds thinned out and the sun was lower around 16.00.
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