WESTBURY’S popular Transport Extravaganza goes from strength to strength and this year’s event has attracted even more exhibitors.
Vehicles and stationary engines from a by-gone age will once again converge on Bratton for the two-day event, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April. Throughout the weekend there will be something for all the family, with stalls, children’s rides, car boot sales and food vendors.
Keith Miller, who has organised the transport extravaganza each year said, “This year we have had even more interest than we have ever had. The event is becoming more and more known. We have exhibitors coming from Scotland, Wales and Derbyshire. They enjoy the informality which is something we feel is particularly important.”
The range of exhibitors increases each year, with small steam engines a new addition alongside the popular stationary engines, military vehicles, cars, motorbikes, fire engines, tractors and horticultural machinery. Some of the stationary engines date from the early 1900s and other vehicles are represented across the decades, up to present day.
Some of the stalls will be selling transport memorabilia and there will also be general stalls bringing everything from tools and sweets to shoes. Car boot sellers are welcome along with stall holders.
Further attractions for children include a bouncy castle, children’s self-drive quad bikes, traditional roundabout and ice cream.
The exhibition arena at top field, Bratton, will be open from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April. Entry costs £2 for adults, with no charge for children and there is free parking available.
Keith Miller, who is a familiar figure each year in his traditional bowler hat, puts the success of the past 15 years down to the enthusiasm of the exhibitors and the public who enjoy looking round.
“The people who bring the exhibits like to be able to come and meet familiar faces they have not seen for a while and feel relaxed. Quite a few of them stay the night for the two-day event.”
As word has got round, more and more exhibitors have come each year, bringing an even more diverse range of historical transport. As a result, more members of the public have been interested in the event.
The idea behind the first Westbury Transport
Extravaganza
Today, when a steam engine is coming through Westbury word gets around and large numbers gather to see the locomotive travel through for a taste of nostalgia. This was no exception 15 years ago when Keith Miller remembers that a large crowd gathered at Westbury Railway Station for such an event.
“There was a huge number of people at the railway station and at the time, a big increase in the preservation of machinery and transport items,” he explained.
Coupled with this, Keith realised that many people in the area were collecting and working on the restoration of old cars, trucks, busses and stationary engines in their garages and workshops. With the interest of the public and the restoration work taking place, Keith came up with the idea of showcasing some of transport’s history here in Westbury.
Westbury’s first transport extravaganza was held in April 1995 and the event has continued every year, changing from a one-day event to a two-day event four years ago.
“For people bringing stationary engines, it’s a lot of work and effort for them to load the exhibit, bring it and set it up and then run it for just one day,” he said. “So it makes it more sensible to come for two days. It also means that visitors have the choice of two days.”
For the first two years, the extravaganza was held on land owned by Westbury car auctions. “We are very grateful to them,” said Keith. Then the event moved to Bratton and Westbury Football Club, before finding its permanent home in Bratton.
“We aim to cover our costs whilst giving people a really good day out during the weekend,” said Keith. Any surplus funds are saved to cover less successful years when poor weather threatens to put a dampener on the event.
“That won’t happen this year – we have booked really good weather!” said Keith.
Anyone who is interested in bringing along exhibits, stalls or car boot sale items can contact Keith Miller on 01373 864166.
