The 35th Grand Henham Stream Rally had a line-up of entertainment that ensured a great day out for the whole family.
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the Eastern Daily Press
Main Events
From Horse and Cart to Juggernaut
The 2009 pageant showed how road haulage had developed from the age of horse drawn vehicles right up to the very latest juggernauts. Starting with a stunning array of 'real' horse power presented by Nigel Oakley the story moved on to steam power and then through the development of vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine. Road haulage - we either like it or loath it, but we can't do without it and probably never could.
Speedway Past and Present
Speedway is still a major sport in the area but it was once much bigger with leading teams in both Norwich and Great Yarmouth. This display looked back at those times and showed the development of both machinery and riders right up to the present day. Organised with the support of the Ipswich Witches Team and the National Speedway Museum the display and ring presentation offered a fascinating insight into the sport.
Chris Louis - Ipswich Witches
Performers in the Rings
John Parker Stagecoach
John Parker is one of the world's leading experts on coaching and a great raconteur. He featured in the 2008 pageant with his wonderful Royal Mail Coach and four magnificent grey horses to great acclaim so we invited him back to tell us all about the stagecoaches and the history of the Royal Mails. You can't fail to be moved by such an impressive display.
We were pleased to welcome back this band. It has a long running and positive relationship with the community in the area and has performed at a number of local events. The group is enjoying a resurgence of interest with a growing number of young members with adult support. The corps play a variety of music from military tunes to popular songs and TV themes.
This enthusiastic new group of youngsters from the Ipswich area made a welcome return to the Henham rally. They gave their batten twirling and marching display in Ring 2.
Nigel Oakley, Rede Hall
Nigel Oakley is a leading figure in the world of working horses and at his Rede Hall Farm near Bury St Edmunds he helps keep alive the tradition of the real horse power that served agriculture and industry for centuries.
Nigel showed several of his Suffolks with a variety of horse drawn vehicles as well as giving harness demonstrations with a Shire horse in the second ring during the day.
This popular display is familiar to many as they have been performing at events around East Anglia for several years. The dogs, that include many breeds and cross breeds, are put through their paces to give a very entertaining display that also involves audience participation.
Other attractions to look out for
Heritage Theatre
This was an opportunity to relax for a while and learn something about the history of the area. The theatre, operated by the Beccles Helping Hands Group, included the following programme:
1. History of Lowestoft's fishing industry
Presented by Colin Dixon of the Lowestoft Maritime Museum
2. Story of the Southwold Railway
Presenter John Bennett, Chairman, Southwold Railway Trust
3. The Eastern Coachworks Company 1920-1987
Film showing this major Lowestoft manufacturer. Edited by Ron Rushmore of the Film Society.
4. The history of Henham Hall
The mansion that once stood in Henham Park
5. 'What the Countess said to the Bishop!'
An account of the war of words between Augusta, Countess of Stradbroke and the Bishop of Manchester.
Both presented by local Historian, Alan Macklay.
6. Tramways of East Anglia
Fascinating film archive of the trams of Lowestoft, Ipswich & Norwich.
Craft Marquees
Each year we have to increase the size of the marquees to accommodate this expanding feature of the rally. As a result the number and variety of the crafts on display and being demonstrated grows and grows.
Rural Crafts
This area, located by the Demonstration craft marquee, is full of interest. Watch these craftsmen practicing their ancient skills and don't be shy in asking questions about their work. They include:-
Gordon Storey
Farrier
Nick Lyons
Wheelwright
Rob King
Basket maker
R Souster
Pole lathe turner
Ben Loughrill
Chainsaw sculpture and wood carving
Ben lives in Suffolk and has spent many years developing his passion for woodcarving and his creations can now be seen in many gardens throughout East Anglia. You can see him working mostly with oak to create carvings as small as a mushroom or as large as a six foot dolphin. Ben works only with wood sourced from managed woodlands and to emphasise his concern for the environment has now started his own planting scheme.
Model Engineering Exhibition
There's the pool with radio controlled model boats, the spectacular model aircraft flying display, the miniature and the passenger carrying, steam railway, always a favourite with the kids and inside the marquee a grand display of models demonstrating the skills and dedication of the many enthusiasts who participate.
Kids Korner
Punch & Judy Show
Performances from the kids favourite Punch and Judy presented by 'Professor Jingles'.
Trampolining
Bouncy Castle
Donkey rides
Children's fairground rides
Andy the clown
Here is fun and magical entertainment for kids of all ages. Andy the clown sings, dances, plays games, tells jokes and performs magic tricks.
Vintage Fairground
Most will be familiar with David Downs' Steam Gallopers who have been regular visitors to Henham from the outset but this year we welcomed a number of other vintage rides including:
Dorman's Waltzer, built in 1934 for Taylors of Cumbria.
Dorman's 'Electric Yachts' built in 1915 by Savages of Kings Lynn.
There were also other vintage rides and side shows within the fair owned by the Downs family and Stocks.
Additional interest was provided by avenues of trade stalls, food stalls and a large licensed bar.
The Grand Henham Steam Rally - a great day out for the whole family and the best value around!