The atmosphere was pleasant and everyone wanted to help each other which was great to see and the showground staff were more than helpful. In fact the show was better laid out, even the stationary engines were not left out, which is a common complaint I normally hear at this show. Moving the show a week forward has paid dividends as well when you get down to it. It was perhaps rather tight in the George Stevenson Exhibition Hall, but it worked well in the end.
There has been a refreshed approach to the judging as well with new people brought in from outside the local area who perhaps have better knowledge of the subject and in most cases the results were about right, there were only a few that were overlooked this time.
This year there was more steam on show than in previous years, helped by the fact it was the 175th anniversary of Marshall Sons & Co. The Marshall marquee was warm and full of lovely gems held together in the centre by the Marshall Club’s stand which was doing fine business all through the show lead by Ian Palmer.
The oldest exhibit inside the marquee was the 1894 Marshall 6hp traction engine no. 23803 now with Stephen Clements based on a farm not far from the showground site. Sadly his father
