THERE were plenty of smiling faces celebrating Dene Rally’s 5th year last weekend.

Despite many worries after the torrential rain on Wednesday night, the site at Starter Gate Farm in Monkwood, near Ropley, remained predominantly solid and after a bit of rejigging the small band of volunteers made sure the public and exhibitors could still have a good weekend.

Last Friday evening saw the arrival of a Centurion tank, with it’s own transporter and recovery unit, as an extra special treat for the event. There was also an array of 200 other vintage vehicles across the two days, from agricultural implements to the full-size Garrett showman’s engine Lady Olivia, as well as face painting and a traditional coconut shy.

Once again the Wyoming Wild Bunch proved popular with their twice daily Wild West show. Despite people being hesitant about venturing out with the soggy weather predictions, the shows attracted record crowds both days.

This year saw a record number of tractors, so it was fitting that the Rally’s ‘Jim & John’ award, created especially by the Useless Tool Company, went to Mick Bentley and his beautiful 1955 TEF Ferguson with bright yellow wheels for his sterling work all weekend helping large vehicles in through the gate when the rain made it slippery and putting up fencing after the tank arrived.

The Jim Espin Memorial Award for finest exhibit was, for the first time, voted on by fellow exhibitors who overwhelmingly voted for Dene Rally stalwart Dave Price’s 1970 6” Burrell traction engine Titan, which he has painstakingly overhauled over the winter.

Dave’s daughter, Cherie, is now getting used to being embarrassed in the centre of the ring as Titan was a back-to-back winner after collecting the equivalent award at Bill Targett last month.

Trying to highlight the plight of the Raise St Peter’s appeal, following the fire which devastated the church at Ropley in June 2014, the aim of the rally was to support the costs incurred in rebuilding the church, as well supporting the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line.

The Dene Rally organisers have expressed grateful thanks to Wildly Upbeat Printers in Alton for donating its costs to Raise St Peter’s, as well as going “above and beyond” by helping them to re-vamp the rally maps and handouts, following last-minute changes caused by the weather.

Thanks also go to the exhibitors and to the public who braved the weather, with the event closing after the awards on Sunday in sunshine.

The Dene Rally organisers are currently looking for sponsorship for the next year’s renewal. Anyone interested can e-mail [email protected].