An apology before I start - my comments are just my own opinions but I'd be interested in what others think
I was disappointed with the 'Cornish Steam and Country Fair' and cannot get on with the venue at Stithians. The site is actually very cramped with the majority of full size steam exhibits crammed into the 'yard' - an area of hard standing. I appreciate this gives some insurance against poor weather but it does nothing to set the engines off and makes it impossible to capture any good photos - something many of the paying public would like to do!
The site was chaotic on the Sunday as the roadway around the site became log jammed with tractors and commercial vehicles trying to get to the main show ring. The area through the steam yard in particular is a real bottleneck.
I was disappointed too with the working exhibits - there is much less of this since the regrettable move to Stithians. The working area is very much smaller and pushed out of the way and of course because the event is now on a showground we have lost the opportunity for any steam ploughing.
This years fair was also a let down - no gallopers, swing boats or any of the rides associated with a proper vintage fair. What little there was could be found at any modern fair!
Trade support was lacking too - not one steam related trade stand just lots of stalls selling cheap tack!
To me the event has become overrun with commercial vehicles, cars and tractors - certainly much more space and the majority of the event programme was dedicated to these things - this isn't what I expect from a Steam Rally. When you add in motorbike displays, monster trucks etc it all felt like the steam was getting in the way
I appreciate organisers need to attract as many people as possible to their events but I feel we've lost something very special - that unique day out that celebrated the ingenuity and skill of our forefathers through the application of steam. I'm happy to see such things as heavy horses, working traditional crafts etc as these are in keeping with the era a traditional steam rally seeks to celebrate.
There are many other events well suited to providing the trappings of our modern world but our steam rallies shouldn't become this sort of event.
I for one will be heading to Bocconoc next year where steam is very definitely the attraction.
Mike