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TREVOR WINS NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST AWARD
Arthur Napper, of course, won the race and the firkin of ale. The race was rerun shortly afterwards and Arthur won again, only this time it had drawn the attention of the national press. This led to other engine owners going on to challenge Arthur, and each other, much to the delight of the general public and thus the veteran transport rally and steam preservation movement began. Unfortunately, for safety reasons these days, it is not possible to re-enact the races as they were back in the 1950’s but we’ll try to do our best with the steam events in the ring! The first official rally at Appelford was held in 1952 and over the years the Arthur Napper trophies were awarded to the various categories taking part in it. Sadly, in 1970, the last Appleford Rally took place after which the Arthur Napper trophies were given to the UK’s National Traction Engine Trust where they are now awarded to people who have made a significant contribution to preservation of our much loved traction engines.
Trevor is, also, an active member of the Thames Valley Traction Engine Club which caters for steam engine enthusiasts from Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire. The club was formed in 1961 and guess who the founding Chairman was? Yes, you guessed right, it was Arthur Napper! Watch out for further details of the events that will happen at this year’s Woodcote Rally which will be held over the weekend of 11th to 13th July 2008. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, and remember, ALL profits go to local charities. |
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Woodcote’s very own Trevor Smallbone was rewarded for his hard efforts at last year’s Woodcote Rally for arranging the Burrells’ Gold Medal Centenary event when the famous engines re-enacted the 1907 Royal Automobile Clubs Commercial Vehicle Trials run. For the Woodcote Rally, Trevor managed to get together some 18 Burrells engines, which is a world record for the number of these engines at any one event, and he did this at Woodcote! At the 2007 National Traction Engine Trust AGM Trevor was presented with the “Arthur Napper Challenge Trophy for the Steam Tractor Obstacle Race” recognising him for his efforts in pulling off such a major world achievement. 
Arthur Napper was fundamental in starting off the steam preservation movement as we know it today without even realising it! On 30th July 1950, at nearby Appelford, Arthur Napper, on his Marshall Traction Engine “Old Timer”, challenged Miles Chetwynd-Stapylton, on his Aveling & Porter traction engine “Ladygrove”, to a race, the prize for which was a firkin of ale. 
This brings me back to Trevor, and the great job he did at last year’s Woodcote Rally. Bringing together 18 of the great Burrells all at one event was no mean feat and the fact that he achieved that at Woodcote is even better. He richly deserves his award and, of course, our great thanks too.
WOODCOTE RALLY IS PRESENTED BY THE WOODCOTE CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION a Company Limited by Guarantee. © Woodcote Rally 1965-2010 All rights Reserved |
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