AN ANNUAL festival celebrating the age of steam will mark its 50th year later this month.

Steam enthusiasts will flock to Masham, North Yorkshire, on July 18 and 19 for one of the country’s largest rallies of its kind

The event boasts a huge array of vintage and classic vehicles, as well as stalls, entertainment and exhibitions.

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally was launched in 1965 as a way of raising funds to save the crumbling town hall, and was the idea of the then Theakston distribution director, Maurice Lumley.

This year’s rally will feature more than 70 large and miniature models, as well as attracting more than 800 entries in a range of classes, and to mark the special occasion local brewery T&R Theakston Ltd has created a special golden jubilee logo.

Event organiser Flo Grainger, who has been on the committee for the last 45 years, said the event has become a real fixture in the lives of Masham residents.

She said: “I have always loved steam engines as a child and from the first time I set my eyes on one I was hooked – I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.

“When we came to the area in 1969 we were bowled over by the rally and just wanted to help out – which led to me joining the committee a few years later.

“I’ve got some wonderful memories from over the years – I think there was a different atmosphere many years ago because health and safety regulations were not as tight.”

She said in around 2011 the rally was under threat because several years of bad weather hit finances hard, however she said it was moving the way the community came together to save it.

She said: “T&R Theakstons Ltd saved the show – we are incredible grateful to their continued sponsorship.

“They, along with the parish council and others, made sure it could carry on and rescued the situation."

She added: “We hope our ten original surviving committee members will be with us on the Sunday to help us celebrate this very special year.”

T&R Theakston Ltd executive director Simon Theakston said: “We are extremely proud to have had the Theakston name associated with this wonderful annual institution for 50 years – every year since it was founded.

“Like Theakston’s Old Peculier and the annual sheep fair, the steam rally has become synonymous with Masham and helps give the town its unique character.”

Masham Steam Rally takes place on Marfield Fields, Masham, on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday July 19. For more information visit http://www.spanglefish.com/mashamsteamrally/