If it was a touch of nostalgia that you were after, then Ballymena showgrounds was the place to be last Friday and Saturday. This was the venue for the Traction Engine Club of Ulster steam and country fair which turned out to be probably the biggest and best event in its 39 year history. Glorious sunshine enhanced the happy mood of all in attendance and made for a spectacular event.

Participants and exhibitors came from far and wide to attend, with exhibitors present from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Southern Ireland as well as throughout NI.

The age of steam was relived with over 20 steam engine, rollers, lorries and replica models in action. The smell of the hot oil, smoke and steam help to evoke memories of a bygone age. If these monstrous mechanical machines did not take you on a stroll down memory lane then surely some of the skills being demonstrated would have done. Churning butter in the traditional method, baking of griddle bread and thatching of a roof were all demonstrated throughout the weekend.

A great selection of John Deere tractors were present to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of John Deere dealerships in Ireland. Having made a special feature of this in the run up to the rally certainly seemed to have worked as there were 14 JD’s in the pre 1930’s section alone! Many other models were present in the classic and vintage section ranging from the earliest John Deere’s – the 1914 Waterloo Boy, to the most modern of the fleet, the 7920.

For those not so interested in machinery or bygone times there were plenty of other things going on throughout the weekend. Children were well catered for with a pets corner which had Shetland ponies, horses, rabbits, ducks, bantams and lots more besides. Captain Franko and his friend Magic George were on hand to keep the children well entertained over the two days. Puppet shows, magic tricks and balloon modelling were all well received by the throngs of children gathered round these two very funny individuals.

Music of all types was available throughout the event. Hugo Duncan brought his very popular Radio Ulster roadshow to Ballymena on Friday and broadcast his show live from the event. He was delighted to be able to renew an old friendship when he met with Dennis O’Mahony, the owner of a ballroom in Co Cork where Hugo had preformed many time over 30 years ago.

Trevor Dickson, another popular performer, provided the musical entertainment at the Firday night on-site barbecue. This was a great night, giving exhibitors the opportunity to catch up with one another and enjoy some good food and entertainment.

As with most events of this kind, a charitable  cause is generally supported. The charity benefiting this year from all TECU events is the Motor Neurone Disease Association. It is hoped that a considerable amount of money has been raised and can be handed over to help investigate the cause of this terrible disease and potentially try to find a cure for it.

Hailed by all to be a great success, by Saturday night all were celebrating a magical vintage weekend and looking forward to next years event. The steam fair will be a special event next year as it celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the formation of the Traction Engine Club of Ulster. For that reason the organisers have set themselves quite ambitious targets to be - they hope to have 40 steam engines, 40 Model F Fordson tractors, 40 pre-1930 tractors and 40 Ruston and Hornsby stationary engines in action. This will be quite a spectacle with interest already being shown from vintage enthusiasts in New Zealand! Pencil the dates in your diaries for the 13^th and 14^th July 2007, Ballymena showgrounds, for a sight not likely to be seen in NI again!