1. Now in its fifth year, the Dacorum
Steam Rally and Country Fayre
has become one of the biggest
event’s in the area’s calendar, with
something on offer for all the family
come rain or shine. Kelly Lavender
takes a peek at what visitors to this
year’s show can expect to find
Plans are now well underway for the
fifth annual Dacorum Steam Rally and
Country Fayre in Potten End, which this
year will take place over the weekend of 30
and 31 July.
With the aim of preserving the heritage
of farming at the heart of the event, the rally
offers something to entertain all age groups
and has become a popular date for families
throughout Dacorum, with all proceeds
going to the Hospice of St Francis.
With thousands of visitors turning up
across the two days, the event has so far
raised more than £37,000 for the Hospice,
an amount the organisers are hoping to add
to significantly this year. Club Treasurer
Dawn Bunker told My Hemel News: “The
event draws in more of a crowd each year
and the funds raised for the hospice have
gone up by a quarter each time, with last
year’s rally raising £12,000.”
The Steam Rally will once again take
place at Green Croft Farm with the owner
Peter Groom giving free use of his land
in support of the event. Peter said: “I’m
just glad to do it for the Hospice. One of
my ploughing fields was cared for by the
Hospice before he died and after seeing
the wonderful treatment he received and
how well he was cared for I’d happily do
anything I can to help out.”
Spread over 62 acres, the all-weather
event will be opened by Alison Briant,
Director of Clinical Nursing at The Hospice
of St Francis and will feature two show
rings with displays taking place throughout
the weekend, including vintage tractors
attempting to balance on a metal see-saw,
demonstrationsofarcherythroughtheages,
heavy horses, steam engines, vintage cars
and motor bikes and commercial lorries
and military vehicles.
Engine buffs will be taken in by the many
vintage and rare tractors on display,
including an international collection
owned by Dacorum Machinery and
Steam Preservation Group member David
Simmons, plus a Ford Pre-force collection
including a triple doe owned by fellow group
member Dick Trott.
With younger visitors kept entertained
with tractor rides, donkey rides and Harvey
the Clown, visitors to the event can also
browse the various market stalls selling
local produce before enjoying some light
refreshments made by award-winning
Hospice Catering Manager Chris Took.
Event organisers are offering
local companies the opportunity to get
involved, with a number of sponsorship
and advertising opportunities available,
including in the show programme and at the
ringside, with all proceeds going straight to
the Hospice. “We all know The Hospice
of St Francis needs as much help as we
can possibly give and even more so now
in these difficult time and we’re looking to
make this year’s event the best yet in terms
of donations.”
The Hospice of St Francis provides
care for patients with serious or terminal
illness, plus support for their families.
Based in Berkhamsted, the Hospice offers
at home, in hospital and in its inpatient
unit, as well as a day care and outpatient
service, to people throughout south west
Hertfordshire.�������������������������������All the care that the Hospice
provides to its patients and their families
is free and needs to raise £3.5 million of
charitable income each year in order to
continue to run and develop its services.
Dawn is also on the look-out for
volunteers to help marshal visitor parking
at the Steam Rally and Country Fayre over
the weekend. Anyone who is able to lend a
hand or would like to pledge their support
through advertising and sponsorship can
email dvbunker@aol.com
The Dacorum Steam and Country
Fayre will take place from 10am to 5pm on
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July at Green
Croft Farm, Potten End. For more details
visitwww.dacorummachineryandsteam.
co.uk
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR ANNUAL
RALLY AND COUNTRY FAYRE