Steam extravaganza set to be the best yet (From Gazette Series)

Steam extravaganza set to be the best yet

THIS weekend's Steam and Vintage Extravaganza at Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, promises to be even bigger and better than before.

All the usual attractions will be there - including more than 50 full-size steam road vehicles, several hundred vintage and classic cars, 1930s fairground rides, vintage buses, tractors, commercial vehicles and preserved aircraft.

Special attractions for this year include the Grenville Steam Carriage of 1875, which is taking one of its rare weekend breaks away from its home at the Bristol Industrial Museum.

Designed and built by a Scottish postman, this three-wheeled vehicle could never be mistaken for a Reliant Robin and has successfully completed the London to Brighton run for veteran cars.

Animals always feature strongly at the Kemble show, and this year is no exception with a special heavy horse display. These gentle giants will be demonstrating how timber haulage was carried out before the Second World War.

There will be more buses and coaches than ever on display this year and a free vintage bus service will run from Cirencester town centre (Market Square) and Kemble railway station to and from the event.

On Sunday, a recently withdrawn bus will be driven into the arena and turned over on its side. It will be recovered by the team from First Group and driven out of the arena.

There are treats in store for the aircraft enthusiast, too. The Mayfair Dove, originally part of the Queen's Flight and said to be one of Prince Philip's favourite aircraft will be giving pleasure flights, enabling the visitor to experience 1950s airline travel at its very best.

For the really adventurous, open cockpit flights will be available in a two-seater bi-plane in true 1930s style - a superb way to see the Cotswolds.