IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Little Heath Lane, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 2RY

This fine old traction engine dating from 1902 was visiting the Dacorum Steam and Country Fayre - however the ground was so badly soaked from a deluge when she arrived that she was unable to enter the display area for fear of getting bogged down under her enormous weight (about 18 tons). So she is seen here languishing in the farmyard. Fortunately, as I know the owners, I was lucky enough to have a look around her and even clamber on board for a view from the driver's cab - see Image] "Kitchener" was built by John Fowler & Co. for the haulier Norman E. Box of Manchester and she has been beautifully restored in the appropriate livery. In her day she could have hauled as much as a hundred tons!

A view from inside the cab of the superbly restored traction engine "Kitchener" looking along the con-rods of this mighty piece of steam engineering dating from 1902 and restored by its current owners about 100 years later. As can be seen, the view from the driving position is decidedly limited and on the roads it really requires two people to operate. See Image] for a view of the whole engine.

A group of tractors leaving the main arena area of the Dacorum Steam and Country Fayre which was held at Green Croft Farm in Potten End on 25th July 2015. This, the Saturday had fine weather, but the rain had poured down on the previous day (when much of the machinery had arrived), and the forecast was so bad for the Sunday that I believe the fayre was cancelled for that day. The organising group's website here http://www.dacorummachineryandsteam.co.uk

This is the main house, there is also a Lodge. According to Webster's Dictionary (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bullbeggar) a Bullbeggar is something like a bogey man. Other meanings include "Hobgoblin" or simply "scarecrow".

The bar marquee - which had a good selection of real ales and ciders on offer - also housed entertainment from a local band who were playing and singing at the opposite end to the bar. Seen in front of the tent are a few of the working scaled down traction engines that were on display in addition to their full-sized counterparts and many other venerable machines. The grey clouds above the tent threatened rain - but fortunately it held off for the Saturday, unlike the days either side of it when it poured down, turning some of the display area into churned up mud.

Dacorum Steam and Country Fayre had many and varied machines on display from traction engines to motorbikes, cars, tractors and lorries - and a few old fire engines such as this Bedford RHLZ Self Propelled Pump known affectionately as a "Green Goddess". Built originally for use in military situations such as at RAF air bases, the public got to see these venerable machines in action during the 1977 Fireman's strike, when they were put into action - manned by the armed forces - to fight fires while the professional fireman were not answering calls. They were used again during similar action in 2002. They were finally reired from this emergency reserve role in 2004.

Somewhat hidden away down a track leading off the village green. Secluded and peaceful location.

The pond is the main feature of the triangular village green. The Village Hall is visible to the right, and the eponymous pub is out of sight to the left.