Words and pictures by Richard Kelsey and Ian Thomas
The annual SVTEC Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza returned to South Cerney last weekend, stronger than ever and run by volunteers.
Showcasing vintage displays of hundreds of classic cars from pre- and post-war, including classic American cars, plus hundreds of motorbikes and scooters, and bicycles from the early 1900s to the modern era.
One of the main attractions was full size and miniature traction engines and steam rollers, along with stationary engines and also model engineering and displays of vintage and classic buses and coaches, military vehicles, emergency and commercial vehicles, industrial trucks, and vintage caravans.
Many highlights are captured in our photos from wood sawing with steam and diesel power, also an unusual sight (but regular visitor) is an ex-steam ploughing and dredging engine that in the 1950s was converted to diesel by mounting a Damier-Benz truck engine on top of its defunct boiler, the owner explained to us how a firm in Loughborough converted 15 such road locomotives for dredging use.
Also, the showground had a constant stream of live steam traction to falconry and many other exciting activities. A vintage fairground, live music and dancing also made the show a brilliant place to spend the weekend whatever the weather, and what a difference a year makes. In 2022 temperatures touched 26c (79f). Fast forward one year and a very different story – Storm Antoni brought 25mm (1-inch) of rain on Saturday coupled with high winds, however Sunday proved a better day although some showers later.
Many thanks to the SVTEC team and all volunteers and exhibitors that work hard throughout the year to make this very special show happen.
