Hollycombe Steam in the Country (23rd August, 2014)
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 2014 introduction and overall index.
Hollycombe (http://www.hollycombe.co.uk/) promotes itself as 'Steam in the Country' and is a marvellous eclectic collection of old steam machinery. However. truth to tell, the place is a bit run down and there seems to be neither the income nor the volunteers available to keep anything like all the kit serviceable let alone running. In recent years they have had grants for important capital projects, storage space for the fairground off season (absolutely essential) and a visitor centre (desirable but not really essential). On the occasion of our visit, the fairground, narrow gauge railway and miniature railway were operational; the fairground is the place's unique selling point and together with the railways offers visitors something they can directly engage with. Elsewhere, the other serviceable parts of the collection were idle. I was disappointed that for a major weekend the road engines were mostly sheeted over and unphotographable (probably 15 minutes of volunteer time could have got them uncovered). The standard gauge railway is effectively defunct and the sawmill is out of use as was the Robey portable (which was also sheeted over) as it needs expensive repairs. It's all rather sad.
Anyway, this report covers mainly the steam fairground where most of the steam rides were indeed running much to the pleasure of the visitors who were present in reasonable numbers. The Dobby (an early version of the gallopers) was covered up and I was told elsewhere that it needs serious money spent to get it running again. Despite what is said above and I was vaguely aware of the issues before visiting, I have to say that the fairground is fabulous and worth the price of admission alone.
For the record, the date of our visit was Saturday 23rd August 2014, the first day of the late Summer Bank Holiday weekend.
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