Steam Rally 'is the best ever' (From Free Press Series)

Steam Rally 'is the best ever'

THIS year's steam rally in Abergavenny was the most successful since the Rotary Club took over.

Rotary president John Bannon said: " We had a record crowd on the Sunday which enables us to carry on all the good work in supporting local causes and groups.

"This was our most successful show in the four years we've been running the event. Our new layout gave extra space for vintage cars.

"As the retiring president I will hand over to Anthony Davies in three weeks' time and I want to pay tribute to him as chairman of the steam rally committee and everyone who worked so hard to ensure the smooth running of the show."

Mr Bannon said the crowd on Monday had been slightly down on previous years but this was probably because of the weather forecast which predicted rain earlier in the day.

He welcomed visitors from America and Kenya, in addition to the thousands from all parts of Britain. The Kenyan visitors were on honeymoon, staying in Wales for a month as guests of Briton Ferry Rotarian Phil Cozens who met them through a Kenyan charity.

Alex Lekaram and his new wife Angella said they loved Wales. He added: "It is a very beautiful country with lovely mountains and very friendly people."

Mr Cozens and his fellow Rotarians, who have funded the couple's visit, are currently involved in a project with other clubs to get water back to schools in Kenya.

The rally included steam engines of every shape and size, including a working stone crusher which was restored by Alan Lovell of Ponthir after he found it in a Cornish quarry.

Another newcomer was 18-ton Lady Betty, one of the oldest Fowler Showman's engines in existence which celebrated 80 years' active service in 1982 and was then extensively restored.

Gwent Young People's Theatre members performed The Pardoner's Tale by Chaucer, and proved a crowd-puller for each show. They shared the stage with Penny Rigdon's can-can dancers.

In the main arena there was plenty of entertainment for all the family from a sheepdog demonstration where the dogs herded a flock of ducks, to a military tattoo style display by young sea cadets from Portsmouth.