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

Angela Smith (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 (Vice Chairman)

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.

Committee Member

Ellen Boughton

Something interesting will be added here soon.

Past Annual Shows

Old Warden Park 18^th, 19^th& 20^th Sept 2026
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2025
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2024
Turvey House 15^th, 16^th & 17^th Sept 2023
Turvey House 16^th, 17^th & 18^th Sept 2022
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
Old Warden Park 15^th, 16^th& 17^th Sept 2017
Old Warden Park 16^th, 17^th& 18^th Sept 2016
Old Warden Park 18^th, 19^th& 20^th Sept 2015
Old Warden Park 12^th, 13^th& 14^th Sept 2014
Old Warden Park 13^th, 14^th& 15^th Sept 2013
Old Warden Park 14^th, 15^th& 16^th Sept 2012
Steam Wagon Spectacular
Old Warden Park 16^th, 17^th& 17^th Sept 2011
Special theme the 1963 film “The Iron Maiden”
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 2010
Old Warden Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 2009
Special Display of Crane Engines
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 2008
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2007
Fowell & Co. Reunion
Old Warden Park 15^th 16^th & 17^th Sept 2006
50th Anniversary, Made in Bedfordshire
Old Warden Park 17^th & 18^th Sept 2005
Former John Crawley Engines
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 2004
Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 2002
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 2003
6″ Scale Miniature, Spectacular
Old Warden Park 15^th & 16^th Sept 2001
Steam Fire Engine Spectacular
Old Warden Park 16^th & 17^th Sept 2000
Clayton & Shuttleworth Millennium Special
Old Warden Park 18^th & 19^th Sept 1999
Old Warden Park 19^th & 20^th Sept 1998
Old Warden Park 13^th & 14^th Sept 1997
Old Warden Park 14^th & 15^th Sept 1996

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

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

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