THOUSANDS of people enjoyed the sunshine and entertainment on display as one of the area’s largest steam rallies attracted another fine turnout.

The Grand Henham Steam Rally is in its 38th year, and proving to be as popular as ever.

With the weather befitting the occasion, thousands descended on the Henham Estate, near Southwold.

Reflecting on the agricultural past, a major tractor icon and a special celebration of harvesting were showcased in the two exhibition arenas.

The history of Ford and Fordson was honoured during a special pageant as one of the most famous tractor brands in the world was recognised.

An appreciative audience was then educated and entertained by another special pageant – from the sickle to the combine harvester – as harvesting through the ages told the story of how man has gathered in the harvest over the centuries.

The rally attracted steam engines from all over the country along with hundreds of vintage tractors, vintage and classic cars, commercial and military vehicles, vintage motorcycles and cycles and Suffolk and Shire heavy horses.

Rally chairman Mike Powell-Evans said: “Each year we try for something slightly different, and this year we have gone back to our agricultural past for pageants demonstrating the development of harvesting and the history of the tractor icon.

“Our main objective as a charity is to raise awareness of the place in history of mechanically-propelled vehicles and their part in shaping the land and the way we live today.”