Celebrating their fortieth year in existence, heritage engineering firm The Robey Trust will this weekend be staging the annual Tavistock Steam & Vintage Steam Fair.

No fewer than seven full-size road steam engines of varying styles are expected to attend the event in the Bedford car park and provide trailer rides for passengers around the town throughout the day.

One special guest engine will be a nimble, J-type Foden steam lorry in a bright green livery. Built in the 1920s, the lorry is capable of achieving speeds up to 25mph!

Another specialty will be the impressive 1917 Garrett 4CD showman’s tractor painted in a resplendent maroon red with decorative, gleaming brass.

You can listen to the hum of the dynamo whirr away and watch the cluster of lights flicker above.

A range of vintage vehicles from the local area will be on display including vintage tractors, classic cars, commercials, military vehicles and motorcycles.

The event is being generously supported by the Tavistock Lions, along with many local craft and food and drink businesses. There will be an assortment of entertainment throughout the day, including live music, a ride-on miniature railway and a selection of model collections.

Entry is just £3, which includes a free trailer ride around the town. 

The Tavistock Steam & Vintage Fair helps to support The Robey Trust charity to preserve, restore and operate an extensive collection of over 35 road and stationary steam exhibits, originally manufactured by Robey & Co Ltd, of Lincoln.

Following grant funding in 2020, Stumbles, Tavistock’s resident steam roller which started the collection in 1983, is in the process of being restored for future generations to enjoy.

Throughout the year the charity’s volunteers work hard to support the town by providing their steam and let the public see their engines, with event attendance, steam-hauled trailer rides, driving experiences and group tours of the workshops off Pixon Lane.

With various restoration projects in progress inside the workshops, an industrious hive of activity continues to make the charity more sustainable, with new displays and activities for visitors to enjoy.

To celebrate the National Heritage Open Days the charity workshops will once again be open for the popular ‘Sausage, Cider & Steam’ weekend event, this year on September 16 and 17 between 11am-5pm.

Entry is free, if you haven’t been before a visit is certainly worthwhile!