A popular local event raising money for charity returns this weekend, offering visitors an enjoyable day out packed with displays, exhibits and fun for all ages.

The Henham Steam and Country Show (formerly the Grand Henham Steam Rally) takes place on Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd September 2024 at Henham Park, near Southwold. As well as offering a fantastic family day out with exciting displays, parades and attractions, visitors will once again be able to steer one of the show’s steam engines and find out what it takes to manoeuvre one of these incredible machines.

Public steering is always a popular part of the event, with a large number of visitors taking part in exchange for a donation to charity. Public steering will take place on both days in the Len Murray Arena, which will also feature displays from the Bolddog FMX Team, Spectrum Kites, Ben Long Falconry and steamroller barrel rolling.

Meanwhile, in the Parade Ring sponsored by Farnham Leisure, there will be displays from Will’s Working Spaniels and the Lowestoft Dog Agility Display Team. Around the show, there will also be hundreds of vintage, classic and custom vehicles, working steam engines, live music on the band stand, a vintage fairground, children’s entertainment including Storm in a Teacup stilt walkers, a stamp trail and avenues of trade stalls and rural crafts.

Chair Helen Walker said: ‘This year, we celebrate our 48th event and have also changed the event name to better reflect everything that the show has to offer. We have a great timetable of displays and parades planned, including our popular public steering which is one of my favourite parts.

 ‘As well as raising money for local good causes, we also give back to the community through our education day, now in its third year. On the Friday before the show, we invite over one hundred children from local schools to come to the site and learn about farming, steam and engineering.

‘As always, our committee and volunteers have been working hard throughout the year to make this event possible and I would like to thank them for all their hard work once again.’

As a charity, the show raises thousands of pounds each year for local organisations, including Wangford Community Council, Blyth Valley Rotary and the Parochial Church Councils of Sotherton, Uggeshall and Wangford-cum-Henham.

Each year, the organisers also donate to additional beneficiaries, and this year have chosen SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, Suffolk Accident and Rescue Service (SARS) and Norfolk and Waveney Mind.

Entry is £17 on the gate for adults and over 14s, £3 for children aged 8-14 years and children under 8 go free. There is also ample free parking.

For the latest show news, please visit www.henhamsteam.com and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Two years ago, the Society’s Golden Anniversary was marked by the launch of its 50th Anniversary Project. For several years, we have had a growing list of improvements needed to protect and enhance our Reydon complex, but had not been in the financial position to take them forward. The timing of our celebration year was used to bundle several of these improvements together and promote them as our 50th Anniversary Project, giving us more focus and drive to obtain the necessary funding.

Phase 1 was to replace fencing around Reydon Pit 4 (Denny Lake), widen bank access, investigate and improve water quality and to add stock. Most of this work is complete.

Phase 2 is to reinstate Reydon Pit 3 (Paisleys Pond, behind St Felix School at the end of Shepherds Lane) by removing silt and embedded reeds, replace the surrounding fence and replant/ restock with native plant and fish species.

Farm ponds, the traditional home to Crucian Carp, have been in decline for many years, with many being filled in. It is proposed to stock the pond exclusively with Tench and genuine Crucian Carp. Both species have the advantage of being ‘drought resistant’, so are an ideal choice for the water and our changing climate.

Consultation has been undertaken with adjacent landowners, the Inland Drainage Board and the Environment Agency. The latter is particularly supportive and, as well as making a grant available, has promised stock from their fish farm.

Given the pond is effectively surrounded on three sides by public footpaths, this work will undoubtedly raise a lot of interest; we have already had several enquires whilst carrying out preparatory works.

The last phase (3) of the project will follow on after the Reydon Pit 3 work is completed and will be to enhance our disabled parking area and facilities. Its timing will be dependent on future fundraising, but is probably a couple of years away.

Contact Barry Reid, Society Chairman (tel: 07484 136385) for more information.