When the County of Salop Steam Engine Society first started its life, steam-powered vehicles were still being used in the fields and even on the roads of Shropshire.

In the early 1950s some agricultural and road engineering contractors were reluctant to give up on steam because they loved it so much – and that is where the roots of the Society lie.

Among them was Dick Woolley of Bucknell, near Craven Arms, who took a few friends along to a new event at Appleford in Oxfordshire – a rally for preserved steam engines. Their transport for the day was a Sentinel S4 Steam Waggon Tipper, with just a frame and a tarpaulin cover for those who couldn’t fit in the cab.

The following year – 1955 – preserved steam engines appeared in the procession of the Church Stretton Carnival, on the August Bank Holiday, and within a few years the event had become the Church Stretton Carnival and Steam Engine Meet, with up to 5,000 spectators lining the streets to see the procession.

The birth of the Society

In 1961 with preparations well under way for the carnival, the main event was cancelled due to a lack of floats, and the steam enthusiasts decided they would go it alone. Legend has it that on hearing of the cancellation, Dennis Smith, who became our first chairman, went straight to Arty Williams, a local printer, and asked if he would print the programme and posters.

Arty agreed, but as Dennis left, Arty shouted after him: “What are you going to call it? It must have a name, you know.” Dennis thought for a second and said, “The County of Salop Steam Engine Society.”

And so the society was born.

Church Stretton days

That first rally went ahead with 18 steam engines and 17 veteran cars, with entry charges running at 2 shillings. Luckily, it made a profit, and the beginnings of the event we see today were cemented.

Despite the disaster the following year, when Percy Bishop, one of the key members, was killed in a tragic farm accident, the rally continued at Church Stretton, growing each year. By 1968 it was forced to look for another site, but the following year’s event fell through due to a problem with the new location near Craven Arms.

On to Bishop’s Castle

A new home close to the old railway station in Bishop’s Castle was found, and, thanks in part to ever-growing visitor numbers and a lot more space, the rally became a two-day show.

1970 saw commercial vehicles added for the first time, and following years saw new classes for old cars, miniature traction engines and even heavy horses, and the evening events were livened up as the brightly lit showman’s engines and fairground organs parked outside each of the town’s pubs – a tradition included to this day at the rally, except these days they line up outside the beer tent at night.

Bishop’s Castle remained the rally’s home through the years of expanding and new landmarks, including a few road runs for the engines and trade stands at the show for the first time, but as sites in the town began to be built on or face other problems, it was, unfortunately, time to move once again.

Next: Walcot Park

The picturesque Walcot Park, Lydbury North was a fantastic backdrop for a Rally, and offered the opportunity for an exciting new addition to the Rally, with the boating lake allowing for a Steam Boats Section.

But unfortunately, the nature of the ground made it quite vulnerable if there was heavy rain. And rain it did, resulting in some very difficult conditions that Walcot Park is unfortunately most remembered for. So the Rally’s stay at Walcot Park was very short-lived – just three years from 1991-93.

And finally, Shrewsbury

Onslow Park, west of Shrewsbury, offered yet another picturesque parkland backdrop for the Rally. This wouldn’t be the first time that Shrewsbury had become a new home for steam, with the Sentinel factory having relocated to the town in 1915. Now, many a Sentinel steam waggon would be able to return to its hometown while exhibiting at the Rally.

With Onlsow Park being a larger venue than all the previous ones, the ever successful Working Field was added. And over the following years, all the other sections have gradually expanded to the point where each year’s Rally now plays host to more than 1,200 exhibits.

Barring cancellation in 2001 due to foot and mouth, and 2020-21 for COVID, the Rally has gone from strength to strength to become not just one of Shropshire’s must-see summer events, but one of the UK’s best and longest-running steam rallies.