Club Supported Events and Crank Ups.
As well as attending vintage rallies club members put on displays at events that do not necessarily have a vintage theme. They also hold informal get-togethers or crank ups at various locations throughout the year with raffles to support club funds or designated charities. Some of the events for 2010 are found below:
Mells Daffodil Festival.
Every
Easter Monday the village of Mells near Frome in Somerset holds it’s Daffodil
Festival. Originally held to raise funds for the church it now supports various
charities as it’s increasing popularity means it can attract up to 10,000
visitors. The village streets are lined with stalls and other forms of street
entertainment from Morris Dancers to Town Criers! The rest of the event is held
in a field next to the church. Here you will find tug-of-war, live music,
classic cars, and of course stationary engines amongst other things. Organised
by a club member the Wessex along with invited guests from other local vintage
clubs put on a comprehensive display of engines and driven equipment. Another
interesting aspect of the festival is the weather as being held on Easter Monday
it has over the years varied from shirt sleeves warm to snow! The festival
organisers have now set up their own website
www.mellsdaffodilfestival.co.uk
where more information of what's on offer can be found.

Preparations for the day (photo: Mike Hodgson) Village Street Stalls. (photo: Mike Hodgson )
Nunney Catch.
Held
twice a year in the car park of the transport café on the A361/A359 junction
between Shepton Mallet and Frome at Nunney Catch. The hardstanding provides an
excellent surface to display the engines, but it’s raised position means a warm
windproof coat is sometimes a necessity. (2010: April & December)
“Discussing the finer points”. (photo: Mike Hodgson)
Cranmore Railway Yard and the Court Hotel Chilcompton.
These two sites supply the venues for the club’s evening crank ups in June and July respectively.
Mince Pie Crank Up.
Held
on the 27th December every year this established Wessex event has
been held in various locations in the past and is currently held at the Court
Hotel Chilcompton. It’s an excellent excuse for an engine enthusiast to get out of the
house after the Christmas and Boxing Day excesses!
A hardy bunch of enthusiasts. (photo: Mike Hodgson)
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