A steam and vintage festival has raised over £1,000 for Rosemere Cancer Charity, promising to return next year.

Wharles’ Lancashire Steam and Vintage Festival took place from 31 August to 1 September in Wharles, near Preston, bringing families together before children returned to school.

Stannage Stunt Team was the headline act, using highly skilled stunt drivers to perform daredevil jumps and falls with fire and explosives.

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The event proved to be so popular, that it has promised to return next year on the last weekend before the start of the new autumn school term.

Show organiser and local farmer David Martin on whose land in Salwick Road the event was staged said: “For a first show, we were very pleased by the attendance figures and the positive feedback we received.

“We had so many people ask us to make it an annual event that deciding to go ahead again next year was a decision the public made for us. The great reviews from visitors saying how much they enjoyed Stannage Stunt Team’s performance also made inviting them back to make sure we got the booking an easy decision too.

“Myself and everyone involved in this year’s inaugural Lancashire Steam and Vintage Festival would like to thank everyone who came along. Putting on an event like this is a big risk. The outlay is huge. We are very grateful for all the support we received.”

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As well as the stunt show, the festival also had a fairground, a big top circus, magicians, live music from Freddie Mercury and Neil Diamond tribute artists, birds of prey display, a mini zoo, tractor pulling, chainsaw sculptors, large craft tent, market and trade stalls, food and a licensed beer tent plus a display of more than 600 vintage steam and farm vehicles.

Among the stalls was a tombola, run by a team of volunteers from Rosemere Cancer Foundation. It raised £763 over the weekend, boosted to more than £1,000 after festival guest musicians, Wigan Ukulele Band, donated its £300 performance fee.

Yvonne Stott, the charity’s event and community fundraiser said: “Congratulations to David and his team for a hugely successful launch festival.

“We are very grateful to David for choosing us as his event charity. He has been a wonderful supporter for many years as has Wigan Ukulele Band.” 

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