St. Albans Steam and Country Show 2011
This year’s St. Albans Steam and Country Show, organised by the Hertfordshire Steam Engine Preservation Society, enjoyed good weather and attracted record crowds. The Society have been organising steam events in the area for over forty years, moving to the Oaklands Smallford site three years ago; the attractive tree lined parkland provides a superb background for the historic steam traction engines, rollers and wagons.
Mr Andy Harvey, Society Chairman, said that it had been a real team effort to put on the show, which was intended to encourage interest in our industrial and countryside heritage. He said that all the exhibits and field activities were presented by Society members and supporters; he was very grateful for the support of the Oaklands management who had made the site available and had helped with site facilities.
The adult entry remained at £6 (children £3) which in these difficult times was a bargain for a full days enjoyment. Excellent publicity was gained by Tim Watson, who steamed his miniature Burrell traction engine to the City railway station and provided a mobile advertisement for the event to arriving commuters!
There were over 30 full size engines present, including the last steam roller owned by St. Albans Corporation, and the very first outing for Luton Corporation’s 1922 steam roller which had spent many years in a Luton playground – this had been steamed from Stockwood Discovery Centre at Luton. Welcome first visits were also made by the Saunder’s collection Burrell showman’s road locomotive No. 3890 ‘Majestic’, built in 1922 and new to J.H. Herbert of Southampton, while from nearby Redbourn Martin Frampton presented his Fowler A4 road locomotive No. 9279 ‘Kitchener’ of 1902; extensively rebuilt by Martin following thirty years of storage in the open, this road locomotive spent its early years working in the North Riding of Yorkshire, but after several changes of ownership was registered in Scotland.
There were other changes in the exhibits compared with last year which ensured that the event remained fresh, while the field layout had also been improved. Keen eyes will have noted that Ron Walker’s Burrell tractor, for many years known as ‘Tinkerbell’, now carries its original name of ‘The Cranleigh Belle’. After a few years in hibernation, Sandy Ross’ Aveling ‘L’ type steam motor tractor returned to stone crushing duties – in it’s working life it had hauled roadstone for road repairs.
A full supporting cast of miniature steam engines, stationary engines, classic cars and lorries together with a craft tent, animal displays and working demonstrations made up for a grand day out for enthusiasts, while for the family there was a small old tyme fair, trade stands and catering.
Following the announcement that in 2012 The Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated on 5th May 2012, with the late spring bank holiday being moved back a week later than usual, Herts Steam Club Ltd advise that it is intended that the 2012 St. Albans Steam and Country Show will be held on June 9th and 10th – this is one week later than previous years.