New venue and date for steam engine rally

The annual steam and vintage rally organised by the Traction Engine Club of Ulster is ringing in the changes this year.

A week later than is usual, this years event will take place on Saturday 26th July.

Previously held at Ballee playing fields, this year the event will take place adjacent to Ballymena Livestock Market on Woodside Road, Ballymena.

Previously held over two days, this year the Friday part of the event will take the form of a vintage vehicle run, open to all.

Anyone with a vintage tractor, car, lorry, fire engine or steam engine will be made most welcome to come along to the market yard for a 6.30pm departure.

The route will take in scenic County Antrim country roads around the village of Broughshane, with steam engines taking a shorter route than the tractors.

All will congregate at 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church where there will be time for some refreshments and chat and a chance to listen to some music from the wonderful fairground organ before heading back to the starting point.

All the usual attractions will be present on the Saturday with the opening ceremony taking place at 10am – including vintage tractors, cars, steam engines, stationary engines and fairground organs.

Old skills and crafts will be demonstrated in the working arena where there will be wood sawing, threshing and stone breaking. A green woodturner and a blacksmith will also be demonstrating their skills during the day.

For the music fans there will be live music and demonstrations from the Seven Towers School of Irish Dancing.

For those who like a bit of noise, speed and thrills there will be competitive tractor pulling taking place throughout the day as well as demonstrations of some very fast lawnmowers from the NI lawnmower racing association.

There will be special displays of Triumph cars, VW bug and Fordsons E27N’s as they all celebrate special anniversaries this year.

What you can be certain of is that if you come along to the Ballymena Market on Saturday 26th July you should be able to find plenty to see and do and enjoy seeing what life was like over the past century. Admission charge is £10, children 16 and under free when accompanied by an adult.