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!
Newspaper article from 1992
St Mary's Church Christmas Tree Exhibition Entry
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......
Carnivals 2018
Some of the rally committee have been busy ''Out 'n' About'' at the local carnivals again this year and have been handing out lollies and keyrings to the public. This years theme was old Mac Donald and the float was covered with loads of amazing hand made animals. A huge thank you to everyone who helped out and work will start over the Winter on next years float. If you wish to be involved with the carnivals or the rally then pop over to the contact page and chat with one of the team.
2018 Winners
Retirement
Matt And Laura Garrett receiving their retirement gifts.
This year we say a fond farewell to four of our Committee members. Matt and Laura Garrett (Chairman and Secretary), John Andrews (Commercials Section) and Bob Standish (Trade Section). We would like to thank them for all their time and efforts in making this rally happen.
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.