The 39th annual Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza will take place at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester from Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th August 2013. The show attracts more than 15,000 visitors over the three days and raises money for both local and national charities including the Cobalt Appeal Fund, Diabetes UK and The Midlands Air Ambulance. The show has grown dramatically in recent years and is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK. Attracting thousands of exhibits from all corners of the British Isles and some from further afield – it really is a nostalgic road trip into bygone years.
The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of vintage transports sections have grown year on year, and now includes a huge array of exhibits including, buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, tractors, motorcycles, caravans, cycles, traction engines, steam engines, tractors, military vehicles, static aircrafts to classic cars! A live action arena is an integral part of the event with interactive demonstrations taking place every day, alongside the popular steam driven vintage fun fair and the welcome return of Ken Fox Wall of Death, one of the last original Wall of Deaths dating back to 1929, having been handed down from three generations. Ken’s oldest son Luke Fox and his girlfriend Kerri Cameron are the main riders; together they perform tricks and acrobatics on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles their show culminates in the Hell Riders Race, a high-speed chase featuring three riders on the wall at the same time.
The classic car section alone has over 600 vehicles represented, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told. The oldest vehicle entered is a 1904 CGV Talbot (only 50 were ever built, with only 2 left in existence), the same family from Cheltenham will also be bringing a 1904 Talbot which they have lovingly restored, and can often be seen competing in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
However the best story has to be from a gentleman in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, who had a great deal back in the 1960s when he swapped his camera for a 1935 Austin 10! He has since purchased a similar camera back in a charity shop for £2! The Austin 10 came complete with original letters from its previous owner, along with its history. The vehicle was borrowed in the Second World War as a private defence vehicle for the army and at the time had its headlights covered so it could not be seen by enemy aircraft.
Fairford Classic Car Club are amongst the many classic car clubs represented, their local owners will display over twenty vehicles including a 1955 Sunbeam Mk III Coupe (one of only 17 left in the world) entered by the Chairman Malcolm Cutler.
Other notable vehicles include:
· A 1933 Stanford 9 which has remained in the same family from Swindon since new
· A 1955 Wolsley 4.44 owned for 52 years by Mr Jarvis from Cirencester
· A 1980 very rare factory built Panther Lima and 1960 Jensen 541R (Owner from Yate)
· A record-breaking Jensen 541 Prototype, chassis number 1 – holder of the London to Paris record, entered by owner Malcolm Bristow from Tetbury who has a vast collection of Jensen’s
· Plus many American Classics including a 1929 Cadillac that has been completely restored, and considered one of the best American classics in the UK
The show prides itself on encouraging interaction between exhibitors and visitors to provide a ‘hands on’ experience. Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club, Martyn Slater, said: “The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is the biggest of its kind run entirely by volunteers and I am proud to be involved. As well as raising money for local and national charities, our aim is to provide a safe and happy environment for everyone to celebrate our unique transport history, in hope that we can inspire future generations to get involved in the preservation of historic vehicles.”
Admission Information: Show opens at 10 am.
FRIDAY Adults – £7/Concession – £6/Junior – £4 (under 5’s Free)
SATURDAY or SUNDAY Adults – £10/Concession – £9/Junior – £5/Family – £25 (under 5’s Free)
WEEKENDER Adults – £15/Concession – £13/Junior – £8/Family – £35 (under 5’s Free)
Notes: Family tickets Includes two adults and two children.
Weekender tickets Includes entry to all 3 days but no overnight camping.
Discounted tickets are available to buy online at www.glossteamextravaganza.com or from Cirencester Tourist Information Centre, located next to the Corinium Museum. Public enquiries contact T: 01453 890891
A free vintage bus service will be operating around the perimeter of the show site, and to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains. For details of the bus schedule, please refer to the website www.steamextravaganza.com
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