IN 1987 two Holsworthy men, Allan Jones and Rob Painter, with their wives, Pauline and Sue, held a small fete on Well Park car park with stalls, games and some vintage vehicles to raise funds for local charities, writes Christine Williams.
It proved such a success that the following year a much bigger event, held at Rydon Park, attracted large crowds, raised a lot more money and the Holsworthy Vintage Vehicle and Engine Rally was born.
Since then the venues have changed and the show has gone from strength to strength, each year attracting large crowds on the last weekend in June — this year’s event being held on Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26.
On the Sunday afternoon, to celebrate the 30th rally, a celebratory cake was cut and Holsworthy Carnival Queen, Alice Healy and her attendant, Katie Badham presented engraved tankards to Allan Jones and Rob Painter.
Rally chairman, Kath Forfitt, said that this year’s rally had expanded to include more exhibitions, trade stands and a model and craft tent. Consequently they had re-sited some of the classes into the neighbouring field, including the tractors, stationary engines, motorcycles scooters and bicycles.
It was good to see the return of steam to the Holsworthy Rally with a 1917 McClaren traction engine, which is owned by John Wakeham of Launceston, a miniature Iron Maiden showman’s engine and a Stanley steam car.
The commercial vehicles included a 1952 AEC London Green Line coach, which had run on Route 724 to St Albans. The property of Sam Godfrey of Pyworthy, it had been found in a bad state and restored in 2002.
He had also brought along a 1956 Bedford Green Goddess, used originally by the Auxiliary Fire Service and latterly held in reserve for use during fire fighters’ strikes.
Among the military vehicles were several American trucks and jeeps, which had served in the Second World War and after. An innovation this year was a miniature railway from Launceston whose engine ‘Tigger’ could haul passengers the 100feet from Roving Junction to Tother End.
Among the ‘Bygones and Collectables’ was a model of a Victorian Winter Scene, which had taken Sandra Armstrong, from Winchester, six-months to make.
As usual the large number of cars brought back memories of the earlier days of motoring. In contrast with an enormous 1950s Plymouth Belvedere from the USA, whose number plate invited you to ‘get in, shut up and hold tight’, were an elegant 1946 Triumph Renown and a humble 1930 24 hp Model A Ford.
Its owner, John Jackson of Piper’s Pool, explained it had been made in Canada, spent many years in South Africa and Rhodesia / Zimbabwe where he bought it and imported it into the UK in 2006.
A number of food and drink outlets catered to everyone’s taste and throughout each day in the main arena there were parades and displays, which included the Fire and Rescue Service, the Barnstaple Youth Marching Band and the Tetcott Hunt.
With Mike Johns on holiday commentaries were provided by section marshals and on the Sunday by Alan Bewes.
On Saturday James Morrish conducted an auction and in the evening there was entertainment by legendary folk singer, Jim Crawford of Appledore. On Sunday the ever-popular dog show was held.
After 29 years the Holsworthy Vintage Rally continues to provide a great family day out and, in keeping with the aim of its founders in 1987, to raise funds, which once again will be distributed to various local charities.