EXHIBITS galore and blue skies proved to be the perfect combination for the ever popular Westbury Transport and Vintage Gathering.
The event was held over last Saturday and Sunday in Top Field, Bratton, with plenty of vehicles, stationary engines, and attractions for all the family.
Now in its 16th year, the Westbury Transport and Vintage Gathering, previously known as the Transport Extravaganza, boasted a range of exhibitors, with stationary engines, military vehicles, classic/vintage cars, motorbikes, fire engines, tractors, steam engines, horticultural machinery, and more coming to Bratton from all over the country.
Organiser Keith Miller said, “It’s gone superbly well, we’ve got more visitors, more exhibitions, more sunshine and more of everything – except the price which we’ve kept the same!
“We’ve had people who have come every time for 16 years and they’ve said what a wonderful day they’ve had.”
Keith identified this year’s military exhibition as a particularly strong point and his favourite of the fair.
16 years of successful
exhibiting
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 five years ago. It was first held on land owned by Westbury car auctions, and after a couple of venue changes is now held at top field, Bratton, on the B3098.
Keith Miller puts the ongoing success of the event down to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere the event enjoys. Visitors love the range of exhibits and things to do on the day, while it’s become very popular with exhibitors for the chance to relax and share their hobby with likeminded people.
“I think what people like is the fact that it’s a nice spot, the access is good, the ground is good, but more importantly it’s the friendly relaxed atmosphere,” said Keith. “We’ve always get a lot of exhibits coming from a wide area, it’s becoming very well known on the circuit, but we don’t want to get too big and impersonal – the whole point is that it’s a gathering where people can relax and enjoy themselves. It’s chilled out and laid back.
“The core people are people who come year on year – there are people who have been coming 16 years and still enjoy it, but every year we have some new ones as well.
“Everybody’s exhibit is the best on the field. You might have someone come along with just a small stationary engine, but they have rebuilt it over the winter and it’s their pride and joy, everything is special.”
