South Molton Vintage Rally draws crowds to Frankhill Farm, Rackenford

Fans of vintage machinery of all kinds flocked to the South Molton Vintage Rally at the weekend. 

The two-day event, which has been going for about 30 years, was held for the third time at Frankhill Farm, near Rackenford. Each year the South Molton Vintage Rally Club raises thousands of pounds for local and national charities.

This year’s event saw a bumper entry of tractors – a whopping 140 – requiring two parades in the ring each day so that visitors could see all of them in their classic agricultural glory. 

Steam engines were also well-represented in the main arena, with machinery dating back to the early 20th century delighting crowds with their mixture of slow-moving elegance, smells and noise.

Other popular displays in the main ring included parades of classic commercial vehicles, many bearing the livery of well-known North Devon businesses such as Shapland, classic Land Rovers, and cars going back 100 years.

Classic motorcycles were also well-represented, with a mix of both British machines such as the BSA Bantam and Triumph Bonneville, and rare Japanese bikes such as the Honda SS50. One of the more unusual motorcycles on show was a Royal Enfield Flying Flea, developed in the Second World War for use by paratroopers.

As well as machinery, the main ring hosted other displays, such as the boisterous Taw Vale Beagles, and tug of war competitions for both children and adults.

The pace increased with high-octane displays of lawnmower racing by the Barum Mower Club, whose exploits on tuned lawnmowers capable of up to 55mph, raise money for local good causes. Their charity this year is Everything Ellie, which supports a beach hut at Saunton for young people with teenage cancer and leukaemia.

Away from the ring, there were displays of static engines, and a working area featuring a steam-driven Stenner & Gunn rack saw bench from 1921. Originally bought for Arlington Court in North Devon, the machinery is now owned by the Shambrook family. Visitors were able to see huge pieces of timber being cut as they would have been a century ago.

Other displays included crafts such as miniature railway modelling, and a host of stalls selling both machinery-related items and local produce such as fudge.

Rob Kelland, chairman of the South Molton Vintage Rally Club, was delighted with how the event had gone. He said: “We’ve had excellent numbers through the gate and been extremely lucky with the weather, because I understand it's rained all the way around us. It’s been a very successful weekend.

“I would like to express my thanks to all the helpers and committee members who make it happen.”