My Contribution to ABC Wednesday is G is for Golden

ABC Wednesday and my contribution is G is for Golden - the Golden anniversary the 50th Anniversary of Steam - held at Onslow Park in Shropshire - a magnificent venue.

Visitors flocked to the event in their thousands.

The event has spanned over 50 years in different venues in the county - the rally first started at the Church Stretton Carnival many years ago - I can remember going to the Carnival as a child - it was an unforgettable event for me - my memories are of engines in the streets - they seemed huge to me - I can remember gazing up at them - always it was evening when we went - and the atmosphere was magical - with the fairground organ music playing on every street corner.

The evening always ended in fish and chips , wrapped in newspaper - the treat of the night -there is nothing like chips wrapped in newspaper on a cold night.



The rally this weekend has grown to huge proportions - over 100 engines were in the ring for the grand parade.



Tractors streamed into the arena - with their drivers in period dress



Classic cars - my favourite took a turn around the ring - look at that little white Morgan - what a beauty!



Another Morgan - engineless - being lovingly restored - the owner claiming it would be up and running to take its turn around next year



There were many craft and working demos with people roaming around in period dress - here a lady talks to the saddler - who in turn played to the theme and addressed her -' Good Afternoon Mistress'



I was really taken with the wood turning - look at these chrysanths - aren't they gorgeous - they are made out of Hazel - and they look good sitting in a vase in my hall







The event included working fields - with tractors buzzing up and down - and items such as threshing boxes and binders showing how it was done




The arena was never empty with an endless stream of activities - there were bicycles - steam lorries - prams - to mention but a few - and a falcon display - a huge craft tent and a treasure trove of stalls selling memorabilia.

We went for the two days - the three of us - because dogs were allowed - B was demonstrating on the blacksmiths' forge making hinges for lorries - so there was plenty of time for me to roam around this event - and a good time was had by all I must add

Needed to SHARE

Just needed to share this incredible sunset - we were off to catch a late supper at a local inn and saw the sky changing colour as we drove - B knowing how much I needed to take a picture turned off on to a favourite site - the church of St Mary Magdelene at Battlefield Shrewsbury.





This is not my picture - but I will add a little local history - The Church of St Mary Magdelene at Battlefield in Shrewsbury was built to commemorate those who fell at the Battle of Shrewsbury - thousands fell - god rest their souls in 1403

ABC Wednesday F is for ......

ABC Wednesday and F is For Farm - Full title Acton Scott Working Farm Museum - set in the heart of Shropshire. A step back in time - like a breath of Fresh air.



Tamworth piglets - in their old Fashioned sty - snuffled away in a careFree way



Ducks were for ever busy - in their duckpond - oblivious to all - swimming round and round - continually squabbling in a Friendly way.taking time out for a well earned rest.

A visit last week proved to be Fun with the Family in tow.




F is For Flower - so lets look at the Foxglove - or Digitalis - which in Latin means finger - which according to Daphne Barraclough in A Flower Lovers Miscellany - led to the name of fairies gloves.

The Foxglove is definitely a Free spirit and can be Found on both sides of the Fence- wild or cultivated - popping up in the most unexpected places - reputed to have Fairy and mystical connections and it will definitely deter the rabbit population if set amongst the veggies- and if you are interested in herbal remedies - the Foxglove is a well known source of medicine for Heart complaints.




Finally for a Finale - F is For Friends and For a Fabulous time- feasting on Favourite Foods and listening to Fantastic music From a Frenzied band - until the sun had set over the Shropshire Hills

IT'S ABC WEDNESDAY AND E is for ...

Guess what we are here again - this week we celebrate the letter E - let's think now ... and away we go!

E is for effort each and everyone of us must make to extend our personal esteem




E is for this exhibit of potato varieties at the Shrewsbury Flower Show this week and below the the ever colourful flower displays in the Exibitors Marquee



Look at all those goodies on the NVS display





E is for th Excitement of the Shropshire Scarecrows another day out at the Shrewsbury Flower Show - a rosette for Mickey - oops I mean Minnie in her colourful skirt - a third prize - eureeka!! maybe next year..







E is for the Energy of the massed bands of the Coldstream Guards - The Royal Engineers and the Male Voice Choir as they provided entertainment - see in the video clip - Land of Hope and Glory by Elgar -wonderful - but I do apologise for the eyelid advert - I downloaded my clip onto You Tube first - but I suppose it is an E









E is for Extravaganza and the display of fireworks at the end of the evening - bringing the 2011 Flower Show - a great day




And finally E is for England and our gracious Queen Elizabeth

God Save the Queen

A few of my favourite Ds

Here are a few of my favourite Ds for ABC WeDnesday - How quickly a week passes anD into the next letter we go!



D is for Dragon a mythical creature - a favourite of mine - featured in tales of old and also the national symbol of Wales

If you click on the picture above - search for the dragon - the picture is of my special people and one that I treasure



D is for Dandylion




D is for Donald Duck - I thought you might like this clip I did!




These are the Ducks at the Burwarton Show - they were having a very busy time - the tall Ducks are Indian Runners or so I was told - they were gorgeous!




This sheep was so smart - but I don't know his breed - does anyone know I wonder? maybe it begins with a D




The cattle were perfect Darlings - and so perfectly groomed and clean - munching away with not a care in the world



D is for Debut - and Metal Mickeys Debut at the Burwarton Show - all a bit of a fiasco - Mickey and his bits and instructions for erection needed to be dropped off at the show office the day before - to be strategically placed in the Scarecrow Trail by those in charge. Unfortunately Mickeys' bottomless wellies were misplaced and the picture above shows Metal Mickey in a stste of undress at the showground and with his pikel in the wrong hand!



Above - the scarecrow trail click on to see number 37 - Mickey was close to the sheep -




Mickeys name tag - well he could have got lost! his wellies did!




Metal Mickeys next day out will be at the Shrewsbury Flower Show later this week - where he will have a name change by deed poll of course and also maybe a sex change - so good luck to Metal Mickey and the charity scarecrows

Abc Wednesday and C is for ......

ABC Wednesday and C is for Craft in this Case - SCareCrow Art - Metal MiCkey has been reinvented by B for the loCal shows and hopefully will raise money for Charity





Requirements to make

Head

Air Tank off a MerCedes lorry Cut in half for his faCe and hat - Earrings are a bull ring off the side of a wagon - ears are of Chain hoist hooks - and marbles are used for his eyes-

Body

Body is out of 30mm old sCrap tubing - and feet- not visible at the moment out of steel tipper floor Scrap - holes have been made in the feet to sCrew Mickey to the ground - he is held in plaCe at the moment by two (50lb weights)

MiCkey has a splendid Coat to wear - Courtesy of the loCal Car boot and will also sport green wellies - hold a pikel andCarry on Chewing the straw in his mouth

Three Cheers for the Shropshire SCareCrows

MiCkey will make his first debut at Burwarton Show in Shropshire -Closely followed by the Shrewsbury Flower Show - hopefully I will be able to post the piCs of MiCkey and his friends as soon as they are available