For many years steam enthusiasts have come over the early May Day Bank Holiday weekend to Llandudno on the north Wales coast where the annual Victorian Extravaganza took place. This three-day show attracts a multitude of events with steam being the main attraction. Billed as North Wales’ largest free annual show, the weekend also boasts an old-time fairground, with many people dressing up in period costume to add to the fun.
This is not the only attraction on offer over the weekend in Llandudno. A little way along the promenade near The Little Orme is Bodafon Fields where the Transport Festival takes place, with the site full of vintage commercials, cars, buses, motor bikes and tractors, while a vintage bus service links the two venues. Here, another selection of steam engines can be seen – miniature ones, and although there is no ring to parade around they often steam along the wide promenade into the town, a sight not to be missed.
But it is the traction engines in the town itself that are the main attraction for the steam enthusiast, with the ever-popular showman’s. This engine was originally supplied to Midland’s showman Poole & Bostock of Birmingham, passing to Thos. Cunliffe and Therese Shepherds of Cannock.
