Steam

Shockingly, in spite of having lived here for over thirty years, we have never made it to the Cumbria Steam Gathering which is always held over the last weekend in July. A combination of working, being away or just plain bad weather has always meant we’ve not been able to get there. Mind you, covid didn’t help either! The event has been running for over fifty years and is not just for steam engined vehicles. There were fine displays of classic cars, motorbikes, tractors and lorries as well as a funfair and various trade and catering stands.
Despite a less than auspicious weather forecast, it looked like both Saturday and Sunday afternoons might be at least dry, if not sunny. We couldn’t go yesterday because of having to set up for the gig, so were determined to get there today. It did indeed stay dry, though it was very windy. And as the event is held on an airfield, there was nowhere to shelter. But definitely no lack of things to look at. Probably over 100 motorbikes of varying vintages and 50 or so classic cars. I spotted an escort sporting a dealer sticker for a business I used to buy rally cars and spares from. Chatting to the owner, I found out he used to live about 200 yards from me and we both frequented the same motorsport establishments back in the day - small world!
But it was mainly the steam vehicles I wanted to see, and the picture is of a traction engine that won an award given in memory of Dick Ransome, who was a massive fan of steam and helped found the Cumbria Steam Gathering. He was a cousin of the Swallows and Amazons author, Arthur Ransome, and a great friend of the late Fred Dibnah. I knew Dick vaguely from when I worked in Coniston, and was introduced to Fred on a couple of occasions. I couldn’t quite catch what the commentator said, but got the impression that the award was basically “best in show” and the engine certainly looked like it was worthy of that epithet.
A most enjoyable afternoon and an event we will definitely go to again.