THE Tavistock Steam Fair is on. After considerable deliberation the organisers have decided to go ahead with the event which will take place on Sunday, June 3.
Chairman of the fair committee Ian Lewis said it was because this popular event takes place in the town centre that they felt they could put on this, the 11th fair.
He said they had received 'many words of encouragement' both from within the town and from exhibitors.
'Of course, everyone is well aware of the horrors of the foot and mouth disease. But we believe that those who attend our event are not likely to pose a greater threat to its elimination than those who come into Tavistock in the normal course of things,' said Mr Lewis.
The organisers of the fair hope that the event will help to lift some of the gloom that has settled on the region.
'It seems very likely that the Tavistock Steam Fair and a couple of other similar town centre events will be the only steam and vintage rallies to survive this year as most take place on farmland,' said Mr Lewis.
The main feature of the Tavistock Steam Fair is the presence of steam engines. And as always those of the Robey Trust — of which the fair is part — will be present to provide trailer rides.
They will be supported by visiting engines and this year they expect two steam-powered lorries, an impressively large Fowler road locomotive which has recently come into the South West. There will also be two other engines — one from Cornwall and the other, another Robey, from Hampshire.
Entries already received indicate there will be a wide range of classic cars and commercial vehicles on show.
'We also expect a number of tractors to be on parade — but of course they will not be from farms,' said Mr Lewis.
'Within the Tavistock Pannier Market we hope to see a number of scale model steam engines on the move.
'There will also be barn engines working away, and for the first time, part of a collection of horse drawn vehicles which are owned locally.'
The Market Hall will accommodate a wide range of interesting collections — some of which highlight the different ways in which we use our leisure time.
'There will be everything from building and retaining excellent models to collecting anything that takes our fancy. This includes everything from ladies' stockings to post office vehicles,' said Mr Lewis.
Anyone who might like to exhibit should contact Mrs Niki Brereton on (01822) 614884.
Children of all ages can enjoy the ageless Punch and Judy and have their faces painted, and ride on a small steam train. Meanwhile mums and dads can watch an expert with a pole lathe at work.
'Using an ordinary lathe is one thing — but a pole lathe using human power is another!' said Mr Lewis.