THE 2014 Westbury Transport and Vintage Gathering thrived on Saturday 26th April despite being called off on the Sunday due to bad weather.
The gathering boasted a range of classic and vintage vehicles, stationary engines, a 1940s tea room, a collection of World War One memorabilia, antiques, and hand-made crafts, with exhibitors and traders coming to Bratton from all over the country.
Organiser Keith Miller said, “It rained solidly Saturday night and so we made the descision to not open on the Sunday when it was still raining. However, the Saturday was really successful with a couple of hundred people attending and many have let me know that they really enjoyed it.
“We have a core set of traders and exhibitors who come every year but there are also some new people each year, which is great.”
Tony Hale from Westbury was at the Transport and Vintage Gathering with his car, a 1936 Morris 8. He said, “I’ve had it for 13 years. It was refurbished in the 1970s and hasn’t been touched since.”
Amongst the new attractions this year were the ‘We’ll meet again’ 1940s tea room selling traditional pots of tea, cakes and scones and hand-made wooden vehicles for children made by Roger James aka Craftypops. Roger said, “I first made a tractor for my grandchild and had an idea to make models of really distinctive tractors which I used to love driving in the 1960s and 70s. I now make all sorts of vintage vehicles which are proportionally correct and I make many by commission.”
Another highlight was the large exhibition of World War One memorabilia collected by the Couldrake family from Dilton Marsh. Tony Couldrake said, “I started collecting when I was about nine years old and it has grown over the years, with the whole family now involved. We collect anything military but this year we focussed on the First World War because of the centenary of the start of the war.” The family whose vast collection of war memorabilia includes equipment, documents and uniforms, attend local events and further afield to inform and educate visitors, especially children.
Although the weekend was cut short due to the heavy downpours of rain, event organiser Keith Miller was upbeat about continuing next year. He said, “Some vehicles had to be towed out on Sunday due to thick mud but there was a great spirit with everyone working together. All the people who take part are like one big family. We will be back next year in what will hopefully be glorious sunshine!”
The 2015 Westbury Transport and Vintage Gathering will take place on 25th and 26th April at Top Field, Westbury Road, Bratton.
