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TORBAY STEAM RALLY ASSOCIATION. p.l.c.
The Torbay Steam Rally Group was formed during the winter of 1986/87.
Following the deletion of the Torbay Rally from the Devon Traction Engine Club’s Calendar, a number of local enthusiasts from Brixham who were not prepared to allow the English Riviera to be deprived of it’s Annual Steam Rally formed the Group, and through sheer hard work, one members expert knowledge of the Rally scene and sponsorship, held their first Rally on the traditional dates of the 1st weekend in August, in 1987.
The 1st Rally was held in a field near to the famous maritime headland -Berry Head (home of the shortest and highest lighthouse in the world). This 1st Rally due to the size of the site was only a static event but proved to be very popular.
The following year a bigger site near Churston Village, two miles away was used to allow for the first Ring events.
Over the next few years as the Group gradually expanded with members from all walks of life, from fishermen, policemen, firemen to company secretaries , so the Rally expanded until at the 10th event in 1996 27 Engines were present at the three day Rally.
In 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak the Rally had to be cancelled to protect the Farmers land.
This proved to be a watershed in the history of the Torbay Steam Rally Group and a reorganisation of the Group took place.
With the addition of some new members to assist the remaining members, many of whom had been there from the beginning a new direction was taken.
To aid this new direction the Rally was unanimously renamed the Torbay Steam Fair.
Twelve Engines of nine different manufacturers were booked for the Fair and advertising trailers were built to be strategically placed around the area, new advertising boards built and a refurbishment of the Groups equipment undertaken.
The pre Fair hard work paid off as record crowds attended the two day Fair on the 3rd & 4th August, resulting in various Charities benefiting by over £4000.
In 2003 it was decided to make the Fair a permanent three day Event. This proved to be an excellent move as many visitors who were on holiday for that week we able to see the Show before returning home on the Saturday.
2003, 2004 and 2005 saw a continuous increase in attendances both on the gate and in entries with the result that numerous charities have benefited by thousands of pounds.
As the Steam Fair had increased dramatically in size, and of course expenditure, the Group members took the decision in 2005 to become a Private Limited Company to help ensure the future of the Fair. This also brought about a change in the Group name to the Torbay Steam Rally Association p.l.c.
In 2006 the Fair attracted twenty seven Full size and seventeen Miniature Steam Engines, with seven of the Full size Engines being Showmans. There was also a spectacular Road run from Paignton to the Site with all the Showmans engines hauling loads to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Anderton & Rowland Grand Marenghi Organ. (check the links for photos).
Although we are predominantly a Steam Event all the various sections have increased and the Show area has almost doubled in size.
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