Arrived at the Ace at approximately 9am. The 59 club had put up part of their stand but unfortunately none of the Ace staff had the keys to the store room which had their gazebo inside.
Brian and I started to put up Busy Bee gazebo when Steve and Richard rode in on their bikes. Steve had come on his new triumph T120 which he had purchased not long ago.
With four of us there our gazebo was up in no time at all and with that we were ready for bikers to arrive.
The morning started slow maybe because of the world cup. Soon the place was getting packed and quite a few of the Busy Bee gang turned out.
The weather was brilliant and many club members were glad to sit in the shade.
Also some very nice bikes were on display especially on the Busy Bee stand. Thanks to the generosity of the Ace we were given complementary drinks vouchers which we gave out to some of the members.
We had a very lazy day catching up with all the news and seeing lots of friends we haven’t seen for a while. It was one of the hottest day of the year.
Johnny, Max and Chris helped us to take the gazebo down. Brian, Johnny and myself decided to have something to eat before going home. It was such a lovely evening and also it was the VW camper van and car night so we got glimpse at these restored vehicles.

A lovely finish to a very pleasant day and late evening at the Ace.
Pat and Brian 

Got to Otterspool Way just after 10.30 Roger, Sue. Dave Scott, Derek, Bill, Ron and George were waiting. Brian was nominated to take the lead and to our surprise nobody got lost. We missed our turning and as we had to turn around this is when Ron took advantage of refuelling his bike.  

Arrived at Marsworth around 11.30. Laurie and Peter Mayne were already there. Our first stop was to head for teas and coffees and some of the gang could not resist at those delicious home-made cakes which were laid out on the tables so inviting. As it was overcast and there was a bit of drizzle in the air hence the day started off a bit slow. Soon the weather started to improve and it is then more and more classic cars, bikes and scooters started rolling in. Within half an hour so the whole place filled up quite quickly and was buzzing.

Brian and I decided to take a stroll around the ground looking at classic vehicles and steam engines. There were all sorts of tractors, trucks, military and farm vehicles as well as steam water engines. There were the usual stalls selling everything from house plants and garden stuff to home-made jams and cakes.  

Here is a little history about how it all started. In 1999 few volunteers wanted to create a village event to do a bit of fun-raising and support the millennium project. It started small and as the event was a great success. It was decided from then on to make it an annual event. The rally has grown significantly over the years and the visitors keep coming each year. They get a chance to see, feel and experience all those steam powered engines and period custom. All the funds raised go to well-deserved local charities. The owners are very proud to exhibits their machinery which they have loving cherished and restored.

The entry to the event was £5 which we feel is well worth it and for such a worthy cause. It was good to see so many people still supporting this event by turning up each year. May it go on forever and benefit those local charities. Jeff, Dee and Harry turned up during the afternoon. As this event is local to many of the members we do get a good numbers turning up. It gives us a great opportunity to catch up.

Pat Beasely.