Wiston Steam Rally goes virtual for 2020

Sussex Steam Shows will be holding its first Virtual Wiston Steam Rally this weekend, having announced the cancellation of the main event last month.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 10th Wiston Steam Rally was due to take place on July 11 and 12, 2020.

The directors said it was with regret that the organising committee had to confirm the postponement of the 2020 show, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 10th Wiston Steam Rally will now take place on July 10 and 11, 2021, but there will be a virtual event this weekend instead, in order to support the chosen charity.

Kingsley Selmes on his Fowler traction engine at Wiston Steam Rally 2019. Photo by Derek Martin DM1973503aKingsley Selmes on his Fowler traction engine at Wiston Steam Rally 2019. Photo by Derek Martin DM1973503a
Kingsley Selmes on his Fowler traction engine at Wiston Steam Rally 2019. Photo by Derek Martin DM1973503a

Anne Whittingstall, director, said: “We have delayed making this announcement for as long as feasible and have continuously monitored the Government and Public Health England’s advice in the hope that there would be a possibility of adapting our plans to have an event this year, but regrettably postponement is the inevitable conclusion.

“We appreciate this will be a great disappointment to the thousands of visitors who attend our show every year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their understanding and support, we wish them and their loved ones the very best of health. We look forward to reuniting with them on our 10th anniversary, July 10 and 11, 2021.

“On a brighter note, plans are already underway for 2021 and our 10th anniversary Wiston Steam Rally, which we hope will be our biggest and best to date.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In addition, we will be hosting the first virtual Wiston Steam Rally on our website over the weekend of July 11 and 12, 2020, to maintain our support of our nominated charity, SERV Sussex (Blood Runners), who are currently working hard within the crisis response, providing a frontline volunteer service carrying blood and Covid-19 tests to hospitals nationwide.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.