Chairmans Report – Summer 2026
By Steve Rowland
Welcome to the summer 2026 Edition of the SEAMS newsletter
Dear Members
Firstly, apologies from me, I am sure it is still summer but things sometimes work or conspire against me to get it written, printed and out to you in time.
This has been compounded by the sad loss of my Father-in-Law Cyril, who sadly passed on 2nd July. I myself lost my dad when I was quite young back in 1995 and Cyril and I had a great bond and as you know rallied for many years. Cyril progressing up to a campervan meant one thing he could always be sure of, he was always going to get out of a muddy rally field with me and the Land Rover not too far away. Fond memories indeed.
We are now well into the Rally season with Andy Headings aided by our new Vice Chairman Luke Huckle. Some new events have been available. With that in mind, I decided to attend a couple so far that personally I have not before.
Ashtead Village Day – 13th June
First was Ashtead Village Day being just on the edge of the M25. This show is very well supported and had many stalls and an abundance of refreshment vans, a funfair and a live band. It has a great following of classic vehicles which start a parade from the City of London Freemans School which is a couple of miles away and make their way to the show ground.
In my closing comments of the last newsletter I mentioned I had carried out a total refurbishment of my larger trailer that now matches my Land Rover.
Ashtead was the first show I arrived at with the Land Rover and what I am calling the matching trailer. It went well; now with electric winch it made life easier, so I have joined you all that have had one for so long. It enables me to get the Bamford SV1 and Bamford pump out again, which I can’t remember the last time as this set up needs quite a bit of water, it was well loaded.
When I arrived, I was greeted by Luke who puts in so much work for the show and has done for many years with his late Grandad Tom. Luke was with one of the other organisers when I arrived, the organiser said ‘Does he want to be in the car parade’. This was indeed a very nice gesture, but I didn’t. Instead, I parked up and the suggestion was I opened the bonnet for the crowds to pass by. Crowds, there was so many people, packed, with the fine weather continuing. We had a good line up of engines, enough to put on a good display.
At lunchtime Jenny fired up the BBQ and we all tucked into burgers and sausages. The event raises funds for Ashtead Rotary and this year £30,000 was raised and over 5000 people attending. This is a future event for me now and I would encourage more members to reach out to Luke for next year’s show.
Leigh Flower Show – 18th July
Another ‘new’ to me was Leigh Flower Show on 18th July. I didn’t know what to expect, being called a flower show, but there was so much more. Many stalls, selling a lot of craft wares, decorative items, older Antique Brick a Brac type things, food & drink, classic cars and of course flowers. Good line up again and a very enjoyable day and appreciate the invite.
Richard Amos Collection Dispersal – 25th July
Saturday the 25th July was the start of the dispersal sale of Richard Amos’s collection. David Ralph had circulated the list of engines at Breamore and I had done the same at Parham. See separate report from David.
Broadbridge Heath Show – 4th July
Broadbridge Heath show which took place on Saturday 4th July had moved location this year. Still very much within Broadbridge Heath but just on from the large Tesco entrance. A very good site, easy access, flat and a good setting. Pippa Sampson had provided some really good maps to make it easy to find. This had a lot of usual stalls and events going on in the arena, small children tour rides with the fish and chip shop van being in attendance again. Good weather continued and an excellent show.
The following weekend was Breamore; see dedicated report from David Ralph. This draws a lot of members but for me it was the Sussex steam fair in Parham.
As per usual I met up with Phil Sampson on the Thursday before, this time also with his son Rowan who had now finished school completely before starting college in September. The main reason he is the best person I have come across for die straight light pins and ropes. The heat was still with us and the reason I believe that the numbers in the pen were down and potentially the show, but there were many that came to look what we had on display.
Luke Huckle’s big Ruston facing the public square on was a good sight peacefully running. Another first for me for a long time was my 4hp Ingeco and pump out again. This had not been out since 2017 but she did not let me down. Many steamers around the site and parading in the arena along with classic cars, commercials, motor bikes all at different times of the day. I am fairly local so travel back and forward each day but a large camping field is available. (see Parham pictures).
As I write this, we are one week away from our gas up at Foxleigh Barn, being the 1st – 2nd August. By the time you read this it would have passed, all I can say is that for whatever reason it was not captured and picked up the fact that it was not listed in our event section of the last Newsletter. That aside, as soon as this was realised Luke put this on the SEAMS Whatsapp page and I have been in constant contact with John Peters, who has kindly been ringing around all the usual attendees to see who was coming and who indeed would eat the BBQ as not all do. This will be reported in the autumn newsletter.
I would like to close by thanking all the members who have re-joined and by welcoming our new members. It is not a club without you.
Always be safe and enjoy the Hobby.
Steve Rowland
S.E.A.M.S Chairman
07717 508496
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