1974 Bridgend Carnival & Steam Fayre |
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| The 1974 Bridgend Carnival & Steam Fayre was held on the weekend of September 7th & 8th. The Carnival parade took place on the Saturday and the Steam Fayre was held over the two days. The week prior to the event Newbridge Fields had been battered by the worst summer storms for many years and as the carnival day dawned a number of trees had fallen in the show area. In addition, the River Ogmore was threatening to flood the lower field. The ground was extremely muddy but did dry out a little on the Sunday; here are a few photographs of the event. The Glamorgan Gazette of 13th September devoted a whole page to the show and carnival. Some of the photos will enlarge by clicking on them. | |
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| A Gavioli Fair Organ. This picture was taken in the rain on the Saturday. Raincoats and wellington boots for all. | Burrel showman's tractor "Countess" pictured in the rain on Saturday. In the background can be seen some of the motor vehicles of the 1970 |
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| A view of part of the vintage fairground; all the children in parkas and duffle coats, very unseasonal for early September! | Another view of one of the very large mechanical organs on display at the show. |
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| A corner of the stationary engine section of the show. In the background can be seen the water board offices and the old tower block of the Rhiw Offices. This site is now an athletic track. The two young boys are watching as the straw is being fed into the chaff cutter. | Platform shoes, quilted anoraks and flared trousers date the period of this photograph - no trainers in sight. Beware of the drive belt though! |
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| A father explains the operation of a Brown & May "portable" steam engine to his son. The houses in the background are in Parkfields Road. | "Countess" - lights ablaze - driving the Gavioli Organ. |
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| Marshall Steam Tractor with a young lad looking inquisitively at the smoke box door. Although early September, the boy looks ready for winter in his wellingtons and duffle coat. | A group of local boys pose for a photograph with Burrell Showman's engine "Margaret". These lads would now be in their late 30s! |
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| A Sunday view of the Fowler engine "Supreme". By this time the ground was begining to dry out but it was still very muddy in some parts of the field. |
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| Fowler Showman's Road Locomotive "Supreme" gleaming in the Sunday sunshine. An athletic track is now on this site. |
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| Garrett Steam Lorry and Fowler Showman's Road Locomotive "Supreme" |
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| "King George V" a 5" gauge steam locomotive giving rides on the Sunday. Two boys idly dream of being a train driver! |
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| Another picture of Supreme and a group of admirers. | Another view of Burrell Showman's engine "Countess", this time in the Sunday sunshine. Behind is a rare Garrett steam lorry and in the background is the Fowler "Supreme". |
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All the fun of the fair! |
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