A Fun Day Out For All The Family.....
About us
Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally is held every year over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May.
It is a fun day out for all the family with numerous attractions that raises money for local charities and organisations.
The Steam Rally started in 1982 at the Launceston Rugby Club which we outgrew and moved to Five Lanes in 2009 where is has been getting bigger and better each year.
As well as the rally itself we hold other fundraising events during the year to help boost our funds, details can be found here on our website or on our other multi-media pages. We now have facebook, twitter and instagram as well as a popular youtube channel.
The Rally is as always organised by a dedicated, hardworking committee of volunteers and every year we try to bring something new in the way of entertainments. 2019 is set to be the biggest rally so far and we have already made a start on booking some great things to see and do.
The 36th annual rally was held this year amidst glorious sunshine, with the weather being kind to us all weekend. We really benefited this year from a long dry period, which meant the big steamers could move around the show ground and show us the magnificent spectacle that they really are!
With plenty to see and do, it was a fabulous rally for all age groups, with something for everyone!
With so much to see and do it is hard to pick out any one particular section….we had flying falcons from Countryside Hawking, a majestic set of birds who put on a wonderful display in the main ring, Military vehicles showing their strength, Commercials demonstrating their might, and Vintage and Classic Cars gleaming in the sunlight and all reminding us of yesteryear. We had the large and miniature steamers in the ring at the same time with a major steam off! Cover your ears! Although noise wise, our younger attendees were not to be outdone during the kids Tug of War!
Wandering around the showground you could have a ride in a steam car or take a trip on one of the vintage tractors or steam engines pulling a trailer ride all the way down to see the mighty Tractor Pullers roar! There was plenty of edible delights to keep your engine stoked and a glorious amount of interesting traders to steal away your heart and your hard earned cash! Whilst eating ice cream you could wonder at the delights of the craft tent and the master modellers, whilst Nan and Granddad enjoyed a traditional cup of tea and slice of cake!
Further exploration found the horticulture section and stationary engines – working demonstrations for us all to enjoy…and then the bicycles and motorbikes we all (well some of us!) remember from our youth….and brought to life now by the Launceston Motorcycle Club, who put on a display throughout the weekend showing their skills and the youngsters prowess and grit in overcoming barriers and hurdles to the delight of the on looking crowds!
The children could safely play in their own playground and with a children’s entertainer, giving mum and dad a little time out, whilst they watched the dog with the waggiest tail win the heart of the judge in the Dog Show!
We were supported by a big band of volunteer helpers and committee members, without whom the rally simply wouldn’t happen, including the Liskeard Air Cadets who were on ground traffic control enabling everyone to get in and out of the showground car park with ease. Launceston Voluntary First Aiders looked after our welfare, whilst the beer tent kept us all hydrated (?!) in the hot summery sunshine.
Trophies were given in the following classes with the well deserved winners being:
Best Commercial – a 1949 Leyland Octopus owned by John Corah
Best Stationary Engine – a 1947 Worlseley WD 11 3HP, owned by A Whitley
Best Cycle – a 1925 Armstrong GPO bike owned by D Toy
Most Original Tractor – a 1942 International W4 owned by R Bond
The overall accolade for the best exhibit in the rally, the Reg Cooper Memorial Trophy was won by a magnificent 1930 Robey Tri-Tandem Steam Roller No 45655
Congratulations to all our amazing winners but equally to everyone that took the time and effort to get their exhibits up and running, gleaming and looking the business, and for taking the time out to bring them to the rally for all to see and enjoy and to show all of us “youngsters” (old and young) a little more about their history!
Another successful year meant we could make some donations to our designated local charities and community groups, to help the on their way in 2018. These being: The Blood Bikes, The Launceston Foodbank, Liskeard Air Cadets, Bobby’s Little Angels, Margaret Green Animals, Launceston Voluntary First Aiders and Tregadillet Girl Guides.
The planning has already started, and we very much look forward to welcoming all our exhibitors and guests to the 37th Annual Launceston Steam and Vintage Rally at FiveLanes in 2019!
Notice Of Filming & Photography
When you enter a Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally (LSVR) event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.
By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by LSVR and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar LSVR events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of LSVR. You release LSVR, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings.
By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged.
You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by LSVR or the person or entity designated to do so by LSVR. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
Helpers Needed
Fancy being part of our team?
Do you have passion and energy for all things vintage? Do you have a few hours to spare? We are looking for committed and energetic people to join our team.
Each year we put on a three day event, over the late May Bank Holiday, that is a year in the making! We have fabulous exhibits, entertainment for all the family, local crafts and great food delights to keep everyone going...oh and we always try to order some good weather!
If you fancy joining our team, we meet up once a month to plan the event and of course have some social time. It's a great way to meet new people, have a laugh, learn new skills and be part of a great team. Please drop us a message if you are interested and one of the team will get in contact.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Dexter our mascot
Dexter the dog is our new rally mascot and as well as being at the rally in 2019 he will also be going along to other events during the year and entertaining both parents and children. Keep your eyes out for him......
Things you will find at the rally:
N.B. Vehicles are not permitted to drive around the rally site between 9.00am and 5.00pm unless being escorted to and from the main ring.