Popular event now in its 18th year
In 1997 the old Chipping Village Hall was in desperate need of replacement and the village had started fundraising for a new build. A family fun day was organised with lots of different events taking place all around the village including street stalls and a car boot sale. Mary Harrison came up with the idea of gathering together a few classic vehicles owned by some of the locals and congregating on the Talbot Public House car park. That first year there were only a handful of exhibitors such as a sports car, two vintage tractors, a stationary engine, one commercial vehicle and half a dozen old motorbikes. There were a few small stalls to accompany the vehicles such as a toy stall and a blacksmith with his anvil who offered to marry couples in exchange for a donation towards the village hall fund.
The collection proved to be quite a hit with visitors approaching Mary throughout the day asking if she would repeat the event the following year so that they could exhibit their treasured classics. Over the next 12 months Mary was inundated with potential exhibitors and it became clear that they were going to need a larger location. In 1998 they held the fair on the agricultural show site and the turn out was phenomenal. That second year they raised an incredible £10,000 which all went towards the Chipping Village Hall project. This was match funded by the National Lottery and Chipping / District Memorial Hall was opened on the 14th November 1999 by Mr Jack Berry MBE. Since then Chipping Steam Fair has become an annual event, with the exception of a cancellation due to the foot and mouth epidemic in 2001 and severe flooding in 2003. Every year all proceeds go to local charities and good causes across the region.
In 2004 they relocated to the current site on Green Lane which year on year attracts every more enthusiasts. 2015 was their best yet with more visitors attending; more exhibitors exhibiting and more positive feedback about the show and organisation. From July until May a large team of unpaid volunteers work extremely hard preparing for what they hope will be another successful show. 2016 will be the 18th Chipping Steam Fair and they already have more exhibitors due to come in every category. The show runs Sat 28th, Sun 29th and Mon 30th of May from 10am until midnight over the weekend and 10am until 5pm on bank holiday Monday. Admission is £8 for adults, £7 for OAP’s and children over 12 year old, UNDER 12’s ARE FREE!
There will be the usual popular attractions such as the beer tent, refreshment stalls, donkey rides, live music until midnight, Punch and Judy, fairground rides, arena entertainment, food hall, craft tent, auto jumble and assorted trade stalls. Not to mention the steam engines, classic cars, bikes and plant, vintage tractors and pedal cycles, commercial and military vehicles.
You’re guaranteed a fun packed day out at Chipping Show, there’s something for absolutely everyone!!!
Sat 28th, Sun 29th & Mon 30th May 2016. Adults £8, Under 12’s FREE, 12+ & Scs £7. Admission 10am - 5pm.
Tel. 01995 61866
