Steam power lights up Littlehampton Bonfire Night parade

The evocative aroma of mingled steam, oil and coal will combine with the shrill whistles and smart liveries of 13 full-size engines, four miniatures and a steam car in what is probably the country's finest night-time parade of steam power.

Among them will be a 1920 Marshall traction engine which had been in storage at the old Manor Road Garage in East Preston for 47 years, until it was bought by Michael Webber, of Lancing, this summer. It's thought to be the only one of its type remaining.

The oldest engine on show will be a 1906 Aveling and Porter general purpose agricultural engine, and others include a Fowler showman's engine from 1935, a Super Sentinel steam lorry built in 1930, an eight-ton Marshall steamroller from 1925, one owned by West Sussex County Council and now kept at Amberley Museum, and a replica of a Manley steam carriage from 1899-1902.

Littlehampton Bonfire Society commander-in-chief John Burchfield, who also organises the steam engines, is delighted there will be so many in this year's procession. "We know for a fact that it brings steam enthusiasts along on bonfire night. They come just to see the steam engines.

Steamy spectacle

"Nowhere else can you see so many steam engines at night."

Ironically the success of steam came about because another aspect of the parade, the number of visiting bonfire societies taking part, had begun to dwindle in the 1990s.

"We had to do something to fill out the parade, and add spectacle because there were fewer torches being carried. It's turned out to be the best thing we have done in the past decade.

"It just seems to lend itself to bonfire night '” the smoke and steam seems to go with torchlight so well.

"We have never had anything but good comments from the crowds. It just adds so much to the occasion. And for a lot of the children watching, it's the first time they have seen a steam engine."

A cup is given annually in memory of John's father, Ted Burchfield, to the best presented steam engine and was won last year by the steam lorry HMS Sultan.

* For a full preview of Littlehampton Bonfire Night see this week's Littlehampton Gazette, on sale tomorrow (Thursday, October 23) and watch out for more stories on this website.

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