A potted history

Step Back in Time was started by a small group of enthusiasts who cherish and value the traditional elements of country life from the horse through steam driven engines demonstrating their uses, to the now vintage tractors and their attaching machinery - much of which has been lovingly restored.  The intention was, originally, to celebrate this with a small rally that like-minded people, their families and friends, could come to and enjoy to help give tradition a meaning in the helter skelter of modern day life and its high-tech paraphernalia - then, like the proverbial 'Topsy' - it grew!

The showground covers over one hundred acres in a beautiful rural setting.  Last year there were nearly 150 vintage tractors, many of them working the land, hay making, harvesting, driving the threshing drums, ploughing and cultivating as they would have done years ago.  There is also a selection of stationary engines and horticultural equipment demonstrating their uses.

The rally boasts a plethora of other traditional skills being demonstrated - sheep shearing, hedge laying, thatching, bee keeping and apple pressing to name but a few.  The organisers are also very proud of the heavy horse arena which offers a fantastic opportunity to see our heritage heavy horses in action.  Ancient building techniques may be found using hand made tiles, wattle & daub and roofing timbers being prepared by axe - skills still used today to renovate listed buildings.

A large craft section is being developed. all based on traditional skills - lace making, spinning, weaving and the fun of corn dollies.  This section is now open to anyone to anyone who makes items by hand in the custom of a cottage industry.  Exhibitors are encouraged to create their craft items at the show and sell them, should they wish to do so. 

The organisers will happily provide tables, marquee space and any other reasonable request in support.  These services are provided free of charge, all we ask is, as the show raises money for charity, an appropriate donation should be made to Step Back in Time.

Youngsters can enjoy a variety of games, maybe take a ferret for a walk, carry an owl, maybe enter a Fun Dog Show (please bring leads and poo bags for the dogs!).

Generosity from the Exhibitors and the visiting public over the last fourteen years has seen in excess of £300,000 being donated to cancer care and for the last eleven years to our local Hospice.  So please join us on this fun weekend and support: St Michael's Hospice, registered charity no. 288462