A Feast of Nostalgia

Was it Hockley Steam Fair, c.1973?

By Robert Hallmann

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Dear Reader,

It may have been 1973 when I took these pictures. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I rarely used to put dates to my transparencies. 

Once they earned their coal and water replacing the horse, but these lovely old clanking, belching, rambling and sometime musical leviathans from an industrial past were never as lovingly looked after as they were here – and possibly still are – doted on by enthusiasts.

If I can't be sure of the date, I'm also wondering if they were all recorded at Hockley? Backgrounds may give a clue in local views. 

So please let me know if you disagree with time or place so we can set the record straight. Happy memories. 

Photo:A tug of war between man and machine. Would 'Health and Safety' still allow this?

A tug of war between man and machine. Would 'Health and Safety' still allow this?

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam Traction Engine and fun at the Fair

Steam Traction Engine and fun at the Fair

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam Traction Engine

Steam Traction Engine

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam Traction Engine. There's a clue in this picture...

Steam Traction Engine. There's a clue in this picture...

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam Traction Engine and enthusiasts

Steam Traction Engine and enthusiasts

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam Traction Engines. Fun for all the family.

Steam Traction Engines. Fun for all the family.

© Robert Hallmann

Photo:Steam powered organs - powerful entertainers

Steam powered organs - powerful entertainers

© Robert Hallmann

This page was added by Robert Hallmann on 27/08/2012.
Comments about this page (Add a comment about this page)

Pictures 1, 2, 5 and maybe 3, would they be local? I am pretty sure I had a Cotton brochure. Once I find that again it may help in identifying engines. Thanks for your interest.

By Robert Hallmann
On 03/09/2014

Thank you, John, Phil and Terry, I have been to Cotton, so that makes sense, but it is difficult to tell pictures apart from Rochford, except that there seems to be rougher grass in some of the images. I still think some were taken in Rochford. Hope that does not mar the enjoyment too much.

By Robert Hallmann
On 22/08/2014

Hi John, somehow your comment immediately below about Phil's identification got into the site spam folder - I published it after I stumbled across it today while tidying up. (Bob Stephen, RDCA-Admin)

By Bob Stephen
On 21/08/2014

This church has been successfully identified by Phil Draper of www.churchcrawler.co.uk, as Cotton Church in Suffolk. 

By John Whitworth
On 21/08/2014

The church is St Andrew in Cotton, Suffolk

By Phil
On 22/07/2014

Hi Robert,

I am certain that what appears as a church in Pic 4 is not Hockley although I am unable to place it. Events like this used to take place in Rochford but still I cannot place that church there. I think you would be looking at 1976-1978 for the date based only on the appearance of trouser flares (otherwise I would have placed it a lot later looking at what appears to be a young girl working on the traction engine in pic 5 and with the colouring of the photos).

Not a lot of help really. Very happy to be corrected on any of the above. 

By Terry Ive
On 22/07/2014
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