About Us - Bedfordshire Steam Engine Preservation Society

About the Society

The Society was formed on 27th February 1956 by a few stalwart steam enthusiasts and has grown over the years into one of the largest preservation societies in the country. Our first steam rally was in 1957
(in conjunction with the National Traction Engine Club) at Woburn Park where it was very well attended by engines from all over Bedfordshire and surrounding counties.

Since those early days, the Society’s annual rallies have grown considerably as has an interest in the steam preservation movement. Over the years the Society has since expanded its activities to accommodate today’s changing steam engine movement and actively participates in encouraging interest in steam preservation through, for example, steam apprentice activities and road run gatherings. The main event of the year is still the Society’s rally in the grounds of Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire during September each year.

Many of our members own steam engines of varying sorts, some of which have been rebuilt from a derelict state, and all of which require some degree of maintenance and repair.

In 2006 we celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a series of commemorative events, starting with a Birthday Party attended by over 400 members and friends. This was followed by a very successful Steam Apprentice driving weekend in April, where over 100 children learned how to safely drive and maintain steam engines, even cooking their own breakfasts on shovels. Midsummer brought a new event, a Village Day in Blunham joining the community for a fun family day out and incorporating a road run to the village of Tempsford.

The Annual Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre, held over 3 days was the Society’s biggest-ever event. The “Made in Bedfordshire” display gathered together a diverse variety of exhibits from Steam Engines to Classic Cars, Horse Drawn Ploughs to the World’s Oldest Tractor.

The Society Continues to grow and diversify in the ways in which it educates and supports the heritage movement.

Meet The Committee

President

John Saunders

John has been involved with the Society for many years, being Vice Chairman from 1991 and becoming Chairman in 1996 until 2004. With his brother Ted they own the Saunders Collection that includes many engines and fairground rides. The collection is exhibited all over the country and abroad with an old time stage show.

Vice-President

Lin Worbey

Lin became involved with the Society back in 1977 taking the position of Secretary. Lin is very involved with the Annual rally and Steam Apprentice Weekend and organises the popular Annual Dinner and Dance in November.

Chairman

Dave Roberts

Interested in steam from a young age, Dave joined the Committee in 2001. He has co-organised the Annual Road Run since 2001. Dave will be known for being involved with the Saunders Collection Burrell’s “Ex-Mayor” and “Lord Kitchener”, In 2010 Dave purchased his own Sentinel, an S4 waggon. In 2011 Dave became Chairman for the Society.

Committee Member

Sarah Smith (Hon’ Secretary)

Sarah has grown up around steam and owns her own 6″ Foden Waggon. As Hon’ Secretary for the Society Sarah is a busy bee and we are all very grateful for her efforts..

Committee Member

Ellen Boughton (Treasurer)

Something interesting will be placed here soon.

Committee Member

Paul Worbey (Steam God)

Paul joined the Committee back in 1977 and took over as rally organiser in 1981. Paul is also very involved with the running of the Society’s Steam Apprentice weekend. Paul and family own the sole surviving 3 Ton Garrett Overtype wagon, No.30826. In the past Paul has been Vice Chairman of Friends of the Charles Burrell Museum, and a Committee Member of the Hertfordshire Steam Engine Preservation Society. Paul has served as a Vice Chairman of the NTET and Chairman of their Rally Organisers Committee.

Committee Member

Mark Worbey (Archivist)

Mark has been involved with the Society behind the scenes for many years involved with much of the rally paperwork. He has collated the rally Programme since 1995 and has been the Editor of the Newsletter since the start of a regular publication in 1999. From 2001 onwards he has co organised the Annual Road Run. Mark owns a 1950 Ferguson TEA 20 tractor and is currently restoring a Garrett Steam Wagon Trailer of 1928.joined the committee in 2005 and became the Society’s first Archivist in 2006

Committee Member

Chris Pumfrey (Rally Manager)

Chris comes from a steam family with father and brothers all involved with Steam engines. Although the rally organisation is a committee group effort we still need a leader, and Chris is our leader.!

Committee Member

Andrew Sanham (Fairground)

Andrew has been involved with the Society for many years and manages the fairground and showman’s line at our Main show. affectionately known as “The Wizard” Andrew and has been involved with vintage fairgrounds for as long as anyone can remember. Andrew supports several other Large shows over the show season outside of his commitment to our club.

Committee Member

Sandra Bray (Rally Administration)

Sandra has been involved with the Society for many years running rally control. Our annual show requires a huge amount of administration throughout the year and over the show weekend and without Sandra’s dedication to much of this unseen work the event would not run as smoothly as it does.

Committee Member

Matt Cain (Event Safety Officer)

Matt has the important role of Society Safety Officer and with one of the largest Steam events in the country this is no small task. Matt owns a miniature steam engine.

Committee Member

Pete Wheeler

Pete helps organise the wood sawing and livestock area at our annual show and has been a committee member for many years.

Committee Member

Nick Houghton (Miniature Steam)

Nick has been attending steam rallies since he was a toddler and started his involvement in steam engines back in the late 80’s when he started to help out with a local showman’s engine. Nick organises the miniature section for the club show each year and owns a 4″ Burrell Road Loco and 1954 TE20 Ferguson tractor. He also helps maintain and run a number of locally owned engines throughout the year.

Committee Member

Simon Saunders (Membership)

Something interesting about Simon will be placed here soon.

Committee Member

Steve White (Tractors)

Something interesting about Steve will be placed here soon.

Committee Member

Sarah Mason (Animals)

Sarah not only helps keep the committee all fed and watered throughout our events she is also a professional carer of animals.

Past Annual Shows

Old Warden Park 11^th, 12^th& 13^th Sept 2026 CP
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2025 CP
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2024 CP
Turvey House 15^th, 16^th & 17^th Sept 2023 NM
Turvey House 16^th, 17^th & 18^th Sept 2022 NM
No Rally in 2021 – Covid Pandemic
No Rally in 2020 – Covid Pandemic
No Rally in 2019 – Covid Pandemic
Old Warden Park 14^th, 15^th& 16^th Sept 2018 PW
Old Warden Park 15^th, 16^th& 17^th Sept 2017 PW
Old Warden Park 16^th, 17^th& 18^th Sept 2016 PW
Old Warden Park 18^th, 19^th& 20^th Sept 2015 PW
Old Warden Park 12^th, 13^th& 14^th Sept 2014 PW
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2013 PW
Old Warden Park 14^th, 15^th& 16^th Sept 2012 PW
Steam Wagon Spectacular
Old Warden Park 16^th, 17^th& 17^th Sept 2011 PW
Special theme the 1963 film “The Iron Maiden”
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 2010 PW
Old Warden Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 2009 PW
Special Display of Crane Engines
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 2008 PW
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2007 PW
Fowell & Co. Reunion
Old Warden Park 15^th 16^th & 17^th Sept 2006 PW
50th Anniversary, Made in Bedfordshire
Old Warden Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 2005 PW
Former John Crawley Engines
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 2004 PW
Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 2002 PW
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 2003 PW
6″ Scale Miniature, Spectacular
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2001 PW
Steam Fire Engine Spectacular
Old Warden Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 2000 PW
Clayton & Shuttleworth Millennium Special
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1999 PW
Old Warden Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1998 PW
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1997 PW
Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1996 PW

Shefford 16^th & 17^th Sept 1995 PW
Wren Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1994 PW
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1993 PW
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1992 PW
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1991 PW
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1990 PW
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1989 PW
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1988 PW
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1987 PW
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1986 PW
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1985 PW
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1984 PW
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1983 PW
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1982 PW
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1981 PW
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1980 FH
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1979 FH
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1978 FH
Roxton Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 1977 FH
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1976 CP
Roxton Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1975 CN
Roxton Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1974 CN
Roxton Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 1973 CN
Roxton Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 1972 CN
Roxton Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1971 CN
Roxton Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1970 CN
Roxton Park 20^th & 21^st Sept 1969 CN

Houghton Conquest 21^st &22^nd Sept 1968 CN
Woburn Park 6^th & 7^th May 1967 JC
Woburn Park 30^th & 31^st July 1966 JC
Woburn Park 31^st July & 1^st August 1965 JC
**Bletsoe 3^rd & 4^th August 1963 JC
Woburn Park 5^th & 6^th August 1961 JC
Woburn Park 6^th & 7^th August 1960 JC
No Rally in 1959
Woburn Park Monday 4^th August 1958 JC
*Woburn Park Monday 5^th August 1957 JC
Woburn Park 1^st & 2^nd August 1964 JC
No Rally in 1962 as Filming of “Iron Maiden” in July

*Organised by the National Traction Engine Club in conjunction with BSEPS
**Organised by BSEPS and the Bedfordshire Agricultural Society
JC – John Crawley organised 9 events
CN – Cyril Norman organised 8 events
CP – Celia Pentlow organised 1 event
FH – Fred Harris organised 4 events
PW – Paul Worbey has organised 38 events
NM – Nicky Moore
CP – Chris Pumfrey
All with the assistance of the Club
Committee, Section leaders and Volunteers.

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