First timers and record attendance at Duncombe 2011.
The Great Yorkshire Traction Engine Club once again staged a most successful rally at Helmsley over the first weekend in July, with just a few short of 50 engines present. A good proportion of these were at Duncombe Park for the first time. Marshall 7 n.h.p. Road Locomotive of which only a few were built, No 46276 Pearl took the Tom Varley trophy for the best engine and Ken Myers traction engine No 74614 Scrumpy being just 2, along with 5 Fowlers. T3 roller No16851 which spent its working days in the Whitby area was attending it very first rally since coming into the ownership of Ian Craggs having had extensive restoration work carried out. No16008 Shifty originally built as a roller is now in tractor form and has recently come to the Bloom family of Retford down from Scotland came traction engine No 11352 which spent its working life in New South Wales and is now with Alex Steele. The other 2 first time Fowlers were Road locos R3 No 14893 Midnight and star attraction B6 crane engine No17106 Duke of York. On the Sunday afternoon this was involved in a heavy haulage demonstration in which it was seen pulling 4 other engines these included Foster 10 n.h.p. showmans No14632 Success which has not been at a G.Y.T.E.C rally for many years. Showmans engines more familiar to Duncombe Park included club presidents 7 n.h.p. Burrell Lightning II, Scenic General Gough and 3 Garrett tractors No 32762 Princess Mary, No33486 Queen of Gt. Britain and No33248 Princess Maud which was set along with Graham Atkinson’s other engine 10 n.h.p. Burrell His Lordship at his Gavioli organ backed show stage.Turner brothers Fowler conversion No 14321 Yorkshire Belle looked resplendent having undergone major renovation work over the winter period including new canopy, wheels and a full repaint. The working area saw 3 different engines in use Fowler No 9055 and Clayton & Shuttleworth No 38742 on wood sawing and an 8 n.h.p. portable driving a corn mill, also in action were a threshing machine and stationary balers powered by vintage tractors. The tractor section contained many fine examples including a special display by Friends of Ferguson Heritage. Over 100 commercials were also to be seen along with all manner of vintage and classic display sof particular interest were a selection of caravans and camper vans of various ages. The Saturday evening run down to the town square was as popular as ever with all kinds of transport taking part. The warm sunny conditions over the whole weekend certainly contributed to a record number of visitors on both days.