About the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally
About 80 miles west of London on the A346 lies the market town of Marlborough, population about 8500. Heading southwest out of Marlborough on the A435 for about 4.5 miles takes you to Oare the site of the annual Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally at Rainscombe Park.
The Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally itself is just one part of the larger Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group (WAPG) Vintage Rally that features a Vintage Tractor Run and a Working Weekend (a ploughing competition) that will be held if the weather cooperates. (Note that these three events are not held on the same weekend.)
The Rally features a variety of exhibits, including tractors, cars, motorcycles, stationary engines and commercial vehicles. There will be full size and miniature steam engines, a craft and model tent, plus food and beverages. Working exhibits of steam threshers, steam-powered saw benches, and classic tractors are all part of the show.
Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group
The 200 or so member WAPG began in 1974 under the name of Wiltshire Branch of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. The Rally is one of the few shows where participants are urged to bring their implements and use them to cultivate a spot of land. The Road Run, held in the spring, is a 20-mile route in the local area that features vintage tractors. The Vintage Ploughing Match is a demonstration of farming and agriculture skills and is open to members and non-members of WAPG.
Entry To The Rally
The show usually starts at 10.30am in the morning and goes through until 3pm. WAPG has no paid members, and proceeds from the three events are given to various charities. The Wiltshire Bobby Van Appeal, Help For Heroes, and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Trust are among the group's favorite charities. If you are a new exhibitor, provider of food, and drink please contact WAPG. An entry form is available on their official site.
Somewhere to Stay in Wiltshire
The Rally is a two-day event, so if you need a place to stay the town of Marlborough is the ideal place. Consider The Marlborough hotel, a 15th-century inn that offers boutique accommodations, a rustic bar, and restaurant on Marlborough’s attractive High Street. Full English breakfasts are served, and your stay will include free parking and Wi-Fi. If you need a place to pitch a tent or park your RV, then book a pitch at the Postern Hill Campsite. Some say it has the most beautiful camping pitches in Wiltshire county.
Getting To Rainscombe Park
The Rally is about a 4.5-mile drive from Marlborough. Drivers will head southwest on the A435 toward Oare. Look out for crop circles on the way through!
Other Things To Do Around Marlborough
You will want to visit the north side of High Street if you stay in Marlborough for the Steam Rally. There, you can visit the wonderfully preserved The Merchant’s House that was built in 1653 by a silk merchant named Thomas Bayly after a fire. If you still have any 'steam' left after the Rally, take a tour to climb the 139 steps in St Peter’s Church that dates to 1498.
You will need to contact WAPG before the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally for the admission prices, parking, information on bringing your pet dog, and what accommodations are made for people with disabilities. The goal for the Rally is to remind people how important agriculture is and let them experience some past technologies as well as raising funds for the charities they support.
When is the next Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally?
The Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally is planned to take place at Rainscombe Park, Oare, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4HZ, Saturday 13th June, 2020. This is a Weekend Steam Rally.
Address
SN8 4HZ
Organisers
External Website : Check this link for more information if necessary.
www.wapg.co.uk
Please do not contact us directly about this event as we publicise the event only.
We would love to hear about your experiences at this show, good or bad. Or if you have a photo you would like to share. Please leave a comment below.
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