This fascinating festival celebrates yesteryear
<p><em><strong>A remarkable, rare piece of vintage machinery will be the star attraction at February’s Harvest Rally held inWairarapa, New Zealand.</strong></em></p>
<p>Those of a certain generation may remember seeing the Foden Steam Wagon carrying metal for roads, firewood for families and wool from the farm to awaiting trains at the railway station in Wairarapa. For almost three decades, the six ton, C-type wagon with a four and a half nominal horse power compound engine and three way hydraulic hoist (meaning the deck could tip backwards and sideways) was a familiar sight in the region. It was cheap to run, when coal was only three shillings and six pence a hundredweight, but in 1958 it left Masterton, the region’s largest town, after being brought by a private collector.</p>
<p>After a 60 year absence, the wagon which has since been completely restored and painted bright yellow will be the star attraction at the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club’s Harvest Rally, a fun, family-friendly event held every four years. Allan Familton, the owner of the Foden, says tractors, stationary engines as well as farming memorabilia at the Harvest Rally being held at the Clareville Showgrounds over Waitangi Weekend 2018 (February 3 and 4).</p>
<p align="center"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267544/foden-steam-wagon-image_498x245.jpg" alt="Foden Steam Wagon Image" width="498" height="245" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>The rare Foden Steam Wagon will return the Wairarapa in February following a 60-year absence.</em></p>
<p>“I’m really excited about bringing the wagon back home and can imagine the response from people attending the Rally will be incredible,” says Mr Familton. “Those of a certain generation may remember seeing this when it was based out of Cornwall Street in Masterton between 1925 to 1958, and may even have photos in their albums at home of it at various street parades. It’s a rare piece of machinery – in fact the only working one of its type in New Zealand.”</p>
<p>Mr Familton, a self-described steam engine enthusiast based near Christchurch, always had an interest in the Foden and knows its history intimately. It was manufactured by Edwin Foden-Sons & Co, of Elworth Works, Sandbach in England and imported by John McLachlan in 1925. For almost three decades it was based in Masterton before being sold for 400 pounds to George Gilltrap, who ran a museum in Rotorua. The Gilltrap’s Museum later shifted to Surfers Paradise in Australia, later purchased by Reg Shuster of Brisbane. During this time, the Foden underwent an extensive rebuild and was painted yellow before being put up for sale in 2013.</p>
<p>“I’d seen a lot of photos of the wagon and knew it was a New Zealand vehicle. I always was interested in getting my hands on it as I think it was one of 10 that came to New Zealand and had a rich history,” says Mr Familton. “By a strange stroke of luck it came up in an auction in Australia when I was looking for it, so I brought it.”</p>
<p>Since owning the wagon Mr Familton has carried out further mechanical restoration and made it more like it was when it came out of the works in England.</p>
<p>“Only people who have been to England or Australia would have seen one of these running so to have it at the Wairarapa Vintage Harvest Rally will be just so, so special,” says Mr Familton.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267545/harvest-festival-horses_500x375.jpg" alt="Harvest Festival Horses" width="500" height="375" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Visitors to the 2018 Wairarapa Vintage Harvest Rally will be able to see how wheat was harvested 100 years ago with man power and horse power with magnificent draft horses.</em></p>
<p>Mike Slater, the vice-president of the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club and convenor of the Harvest Rally, says the two day event will be a celebration of yester-year. He says people will be able to see how wheat was harvested 100 years ago with man power and horse power with magnificent draft horses harvest a wheat crop with a binder and the 1890 Clayton Shuttleworth mill working. There will also be static and working displays of vintage machinery, a showcase of local crafts and at the conclusion of each day, a spectacular grand finale display with vintage fire engines. Food and drinks will also available on site.</p>
<p>“This event is only held every four years and attracts people from all around New Zealand,” says Mr Slater. “It’s terrific to see and gives people a fascinating glimpse into our past and how things used to be harvested and how machinery used to work.”</p>
<p><strong>Details:</strong></p>
<p><strong>What:</strong> Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club’s Harvest Rally</p>
<p><strong>Where:</strong> Clareville Showgrounds</p>
<p><strong>When:</strong> 9am – 4pm, Waitangi Weekend – Feb 3 and 4, 2018</p>
<p><strong>Cost:</strong> Adults $10, Children under 15 free</p>
<p>Free all-day parking</p>
<p>For more information visit www.wairarapanz.com/harvestrally</p>
<p><strong>Other events happening in the Wairarapa this February:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>3 Feb</strong> – <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.martinboroughfair.org.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Martinborough Fair.</strong></span></a> New Zealand made goods, fresh produce and delicious food stalls make up this fantastic summer market that radiates out from the Martinborough Town Square. </li>
<li><strong>3-4 Feb</strong> – Wairarapa Vintage Harvest Rally. A&P Showgrounds, Clareville, Carterton.</li>
<li><strong>6 Feb</strong> – Interislander Summer Festival of horse racing at Tauherenikau Race Course. Pack a picnic and get set for a day of thrilling racing action, free kids entertainment and live music. Estimated start of first race is 12.50pm. Admission: Adults $20, under 18 free.</li>
<li><strong>9 Feb</strong> – <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.eventfinda.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Black Seeds and Kings</strong></span></a> perform at the Masterton Summer Concert, Solway Showgrounds Masterton. </li>
<li><strong>17 Feb</strong> – The Masterton A&P Society Show. The Solway Showgrounds. </li>
<li><strong>17 – 18 Feb</strong> –Enjoy the smell of rubber burning and catch exciting racing at the <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.mastertonmotorplex.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Masterton Motorplex</strong></span></a> with the “Auckland Invasion – IHRA round. </li>
<li><strong>24 Feb</strong> – <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.tuihq.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Race to the Brewery.</strong></span></a> A multisport race from Palmerston North to Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka. </li>
</ul>
<p><em>Image credit: Katie Farman</em></p>
