GALLERY: Vintage and Steam 2015

THOUSANDS of visitors steamed into the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum for a special vintage weekend.
Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380
Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380

The annual Vintage and Steam celebration on Saturday and Sunday saw vehicles on parade, a vintage fairground, steam models and much more.

Around 6,500 people took the opportunity to step back in time and experience the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of an era when steam and world class engineering powered the country.

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Richard Pailthorpe, museum director, said: “The Vintage and Steam show is a highlight in the museum’s calendar, with marvellous vehicles on display, which have been lovingly restored.

Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380
Stuart Maggs, owner of the Katma 1917 Garrett Showman tractor ks1500380

“It’s a fantastic way to show how transport has evolved since the beginning of the 20th century. ”

Parades in the arena included military vehicles, commercial vehicles, cars through the ages, miniature steam vehicles and full-size steam vehicles.

Each day, the arena demonstrations closed with a dramatic fire, to show off the St Giles horse-drawn fire engine.

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While a miniature house burned, the horses galloped around the arena and the crew then showed the power of the steam-powered vehicle and just how far the spray could reach.

Claire Wyatt and her daughter Ella, eight, enjoying their ride ks1500380-5Claire Wyatt and her daughter Ella, eight, enjoying their ride ks1500380-5
Claire Wyatt and her daughter Ella, eight, enjoying their ride ks1500380-5

Around the market place, there was more to see, including demonstrations of Hudspith’s steam-powered gramophone and bicycle, which attracted a lot of interest.

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David Steel driving Kay Stanford, with her children Clare, three and Wilfrid, one ks1500380-2David Steel driving Kay Stanford, with her children Clare, three and Wilfrid, one ks1500380-2
David Steel driving Kay Stanford, with her children Clare, three and Wilfrid, one ks1500380-2

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