HISTORY
50 YEARS OF SOMERSET RALLIES
In the summer of 1955, Traction Engine Rallies as we know them were few and far between, despite that fact that there were a growing number of people who were preserving the old steam giants of road and field. The well known ‘Wagers for Ale’ in the early fifties when Arthur Napper raced his friend Miles Chetwynd-Stapylton, and later Giles ‘Doc’ Romanes with their respective engines, had started off this increased interest in machines that up until then had been worth only the value of the scrap metal they were made of.
However, in the summer of ’55, a small event was to take place at Cokerhurst Farm, Wembdon on the outskirts of Bridgwater, that would had far wider reaching results than its organisers could ever have expected. It seems fairly certain that a One Day Steam Party was held at some stage in this year, the numbering of succeeding rallies does indicate that events started in 1955. Somerset Traction Engine Club Life Member Jim Day, who has a wonderful memory for someone in his senior years remembers that the Programme was just one sheet of paper and unfortunately probably because of this not one seems to have survived. Perhaps all avenues of research have not been gone into and someone else remembers what did occur.
Reuben Smith remembers something of the first event. Geoffrey King who lived at Temple Cloud was the Chairman, and Reuben was the Secretary and virtually did everything towards sorting out the organisational side of things before the Rally took place. Nothing like it had been done before and it was a case of doing the best you could. Harold Strong, Dennis Chappell, Jack Handel and Cuthbert Sweet were part of the committee. The rally hoped to raise funds for the NFU and the Police Benevolent Fund. Superintendent White was the officer in charge at Taunton and must have had an affection for steam engines. Reuben remembers how for about three years at the Rally two policemen would accompany him to the Night Safe at the Bank to deposit the days takings. The ritual was for them to jump out of the car with their Truncheons drawn whilst the deed was done. All the engines were roaded to the rally, some travelling considerable distances to attend. Reuben himself helped Geoffrey King road the engines back to Temple Cloud, which was no mean feat especially with the hills of the Mendips to contend with. The following article appeared on Page 11 of the Bristol Evening World on November 14th 1955. Bristol in those days had two evening news papers, the Evening Post and the Evening World. It was titled “Farmer’s Traction Attraction” An unusual hobby, which brings callers every weekend to a West Buckland Farmer, Mr Dennis Chappell of Longdale is collecting and preserving Traction Engines. It may seem strange but this is a hobby, which is becoming more and more popular and competition for the ownership of Traction Engines has greatly increased. Mr Chappell who works Millers Farm near Wellington has two engines, one nearly 40 years old called “King of the Belgians” and “Princess Mary”. Mr Chappell hopes to have them ready for a rally to be held in the Bridgwater area in 6 months time. Mr G.B. King of Temple Cloud, the well known Traction Engine Enthusiast is hoping to organise the Rally. Mr L Faun Managing Director of Messrs Henry Kellands of Cannington has promised to help with the arrangements. An Organisation was formed called the “Taunton Traction Engine Rally Committee”
A one day Rally was held at Walford Cross on Saturday the 28th July 1956 on ground owned by a Mr W E Godfrey, opened by the Mayor of Taunton it was called the Taunton Traction Engine and Veteran Car Rally. Admission was by way of programme and the cost was one shilling and sixpence. It had a beer tent (called a licensed Buffet in those days). Eleven engines were listed in the programme for the event, 6 Burrells, 2 Fodens, 1 each of Aveling and Porter, Fowler and Marshall. Nine cars, included one White steam car none of which were any newer than 1916 and an experimental Steam Motor Cycle. In an address on the back of the programme, Reuben J Smith the Hon Secretary welcomes people to the Rally organised by the National Farmers Union.
