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Hollycombe Steam in the Country event. - Anthony Hooker (16th Jul 2008  23:30:22) Roll up! Roll up! It’s All the Fun of the Fair with a traditional steam fair extravaganza to be held over the weekend of 26th & 27th July between midday and 5pm at Hollycombe Steam in the Country Liphook Hants. The fairground extravaganza event will see the return to the collection for one weekend only of a cakewalk ride, in the form of Lawerence Bishton’s c1907 Brooklyn cakewalk. A cakewalk formed part of Commander John Baldock’s original Hollycombe collection but sadly was sold in the early 1980’s along with the other steam fairground rides several of which have since returned back to Hollycombe but not the cakewalk. Over the course of the weekend it is hoped to power the cakewalk with power generated by the visiting Burrell showman’s engine “Princess Marina” The cakewalk will join the other resident steam powered rides that form the unique working Edwardian steam fairground at Hollycombe that includes rides such as the only surviving Razzle Dazzle regarded as the world’s first ‘White Knuckle’ dating from around 1908, the late 1870s Mr. Fields Steam Circus dobby ride which is believed to be the oldest surviving mechanically driven ride and the 1911 single steam yacht Neptune. Other attractions to the event will include a juvenile roundabout, a selection of sideshows to add to the fairground atmosphere, a fairground model display as well as a display of fairground archive photos which will include historical photos of the Hollycombe rides. There will also be a small display of fairground showman’s living vans & transport. To add to the atmosphere of the event is combined with the Mechanical Organ Gathering so there will be several visiting fairground organs too. There will be a wide range and sizes and makes of other organs playing a wide selection of repertoires over the course of the weekend for the enjoyment of visitors. Making its debut appearance at a UK outdoor event will be the Model 36B Ruth Concert Organ belonging to Paul Kirrage of Woking Surrey. Further information including opening times and admission prices can be found at: www.hollycombe.co.uk.

Re: Hollycombe Steam in the Country event. - Katy C (17th Jul 2008  16:18:09) After visiting the Hollycombe Festival of Steam earlier this month I would encourage everyone who has never visited Hollycombe, or not been for a while to go. It is a great day out for all the family, all rides included in the entrance fee and no long queues. They have built a great new visitor centre, cafe, shop block with lovely hanging baskets displayed. The cafe is very reasonably priced, as is the shop, but there are also good picnic facilities. My favourite rides were the steam railway (about a 15 minute ride through beautiful scenery) and the razzle dazzle (you'll have to visit to try it!) plus the gallopers A great day out but don't wear your best clothes as you'll get sooty!!!!! Katy

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