Loughborough Echo

Rempstone Show is a success

- By Mike Elliott

SUN-SOAKED Rempstone Steam and Country Show attracted thousands of people at the weekend - its best crowd turnout during its 61 years of history of raising money for good causes.

And the man who started it all, John Beeby, of Rempstone, is still remembered through his son Michael, now honorary life president, who was at the twoday event held at Turnpost Farm at Wymeswold.

Record first day takings were recorded on Saturday, and Sunday saw visitors entering the showground way before the advertised opening time with the site soon brimming with people.

And takings on Sunday were again a record for the second day, making overall income the best ever since it all started in 1956.

Show chairman Dave Morley said last year Rempstone was one of the few rallies that had managed to overcome the difficult weather conditions and, with strong support, was still able to make a number of charitable donations, such as the Nottingham­shire Children’s Hospital to refurbish the family room accommodat­ion as well as giving a cheque to the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and to Leicesters­hire Round Table.

This year they were blessed with hot weather for both days, bringing out the crowds from several counties.

On Sunday the first visitor through the turnstiles, at 7.45am, had travelled that morning from Norfolk, while following on shortly afterwards was a supporter of the show, now living in Newcastle, who travels each year to catch up with friends in the area.

Show ring attraction­s both days included the Royal Signals Motorcycle display team The White Helmets.

At the end of their 2017 season of events, which has taken them all over the country, and a period covering 80 years, during which time they have thrilled many thousands of people, they are disbanding, with the 30-strong team returning to normal Army duty.

Officials at Rempstone said they knew they were fortunate to get a spot in this final year of activity for the team which has become renowned and respected worldwide.

The Punjab Lancers were extremely popular with the crowds and showed off their tent pegging and horse riding moves using lances, swords and guns in a thrilling arena display which saw the team excel as they showed off their skills at the sport which it is recorded was introduced around 2,500 years ago.

More horse riding skills were highlighte­d in the Scurry Driving display while at a slower pace the steam engines of all types and sizes, of which there were over 40 attending, were either driven in the ring or were in full steam in their places of standing over the weekend.

A number of the engines being shown off by their proud owners were over 100-years-old but still in remarkable condition thanks to hours and hours of work put in by their present-day owners.

One of the oldest engines on display was the 1882 McLaren engine owned by Mr S Arrowsmith, of Barton under Needwood, which weighed in at 14 tons.

Mr P Van Houten, of Shepshed, was another of the competitor­s returning to Rempstone as a regular exhibitor, with his 1928 Foden steam wagon.

Mr Sa Price, of East Leake, displayed no lesser than 10 tractors and cars as well as his Lioness 43 Keyless Organ, which entertaine­d people in the area of the model tent. Among the cars on show were five Morris Minors dating back to 1954. Fairground organs were as usual a big attraction including the oldest, a 119-year-old Marenghi entered by Dr A Marchingto­n.

The many miniatures on display were accepted as presented, and in all there were over 40 there including any that could be seen being driven around the showground.

Mr E Marcer, of Shepshed, had two models on display: a three-inch scale Atkinson Standard Undertype steam wagon and a four-inch scale Foster traction engine.

Vintage and classic tractors, of which there were over 60 on display, dated back 90 years with a 1926 Rimely Oil Pull owned by Mr L Gilbert, of Chellaston, the oldest to be catalogued.

Over 60 motorcycle­s, with the oldest being 105-years-old and owned by Mr W Jopling, of Harby - a 1912 Bradbury Solo with its original registrati­on number of AL 3858 which drew lots of attention.

A lot of attention was also shown in a collection of American vehicles and military vehicles.

The huge number of veteran, vintage and classic cars – well over 50 – made a powerful display, showing the style changes going back well over 90 years. Mr R Selby, of Barrow-upon-Soar, had three Showman’s vehicles on display, including a Showman’s Living van. Among the Working Area displays was one of threshing and another of sawing.

On Sunday a dog show added to the entertainm­ent and the traditiona­l annual service run from the main arena was conducted by the Rev Tim Parker from East Leake.

Over the weekend more than £1,000 was raised from donations of show visitors, who were given the opportunit­y to steer one of the steam engines round the show arena, with the cash going towards refurbishm­ent of family room accommodat­ion at the children’s section of the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

 ??  ?? Pictured are engines at the Rempstone Steam and Country Show.
Pictured are engines at the Rempstone Steam and Country Show.

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