Report on 2010 rally by Sue Hopper
Another very memorable Lanlivery Vintage Rally & Country Fair was staged in 2010 and once more we struck it lucky with the weather!
It was a pleasure to see the air thick with coal smoke and the rally site echoing with the sounds of steam whistles with engine owners proudly showing off their machines.
Crowds enjoyed a wide range of entertainment over the two days at the show from the spectacle of the main ring events which saw over 100 tractors this year in the ring besides vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Both the Cornwall Field Trial Society & Duchy Gundog Clubs gave an informative insight on how gundogs perform in the shooting field. We all held our breath as the diggers tipped right over on their sides, one even took the top off an egg! The North Cornwall Pony Club entertained us with a display on Polocrosse, a combination of polo and lacrosse on horseback. Brasses gleamed and coats shone as miniature ponies to shire horses paraded in the horse procession.
Visitors were drawn to the every popular working section where they were able to see the standing corn which had been grown on site, being cut with a binder, then put through the thresher, onto the mill and then to the making of the bread which visitors were then able to sample. A vintage saw bench demonstrated how to transform a tree trunk into sawn timber and ploughing was carried out by majestic shire horses showing their wonderful strength alongside vintage machinery.
New for 2010, No it wasn’t Vera Lynn but the stage was graced by a most wonderful singer part of the re-enactment World War II camp. We went back in time to the Wild West with the Searchers who set up a miniature town where visitors were invited to walk through.
Smiling faces young and old were evident at the fairground rides especially on the dodgem cars. Children learnt how to milk a cow, saw sheep sheared, poultry, Shetland ponies and the amusing spectacle of ferret racing.
Many visitors brought their dogs along to the show and took part in the Dog Show with a varied schedule of classes, from the dog with the most appealing eyes, to the dog the judge would most like to take home. The Gundog Scurry also proved popular with dogs having to fetch a dummy from a distance in the quickest time.
The Craft marquee and trade stands buzzed with people, visitors looked for bargains in the car boot field, whilst the beer and refreshment tents kept a steady stream of thirsty and hungry visitors happy over the two days.
Best of all over £16,000 was distributed to local charities
We hope that all who came enjoyed the rally and look forward to seeing you all again in 2011.