Fairground Weekend - visiting ride announced
1948 Fly-O-Plane 24th and 25th July 2010

A rare 1948 Fly-O-Plane will be visiting Hollycombe for the July Fairground Weekend - it is believed to be one of only two surviving examples. Also present on this weekend will be an Old Time Vintage Arcade including slot machines, fruit and novelty machines, Fortune Teller and What The Butler Saw (note there will be a small additional charge for the arcade). Also visiting is a lovely 1950's Winnards Train ride which is suitable for children and adults, and Albert Reynold's Juvenile Dobby set roundabout.
More details can be found here
 Fly-O-Plane photo courtesy of Gary Witcome.

Railway weekend 5th and 6th June 2010
Vertical Boiler Tank engine in steam at Hollycombe 5th June 2010

All three of Hollycombe's railways were busy with Lilla, Edward Sholto, Britomart and Jerry M working on the Narrow Gauge Railway, the unusual looking Vertical Boiler Tank (VBT) Yvonne on the Standard Gauge Railway, and Bob, Lisa and Augusta working on the Miniature Railway.

Also present were a super selection of model railways, from the massive Broke Brick Mountain to a tiny railway in a CD case.  Pictures can be found here

Standard gauge railway back in steam
Vertical Boiler Tank engine in steam at Hollycombe 23rd May 2010

The Hollycombe standard gauge railway is back in steam with the arrival of Vertical Boiler Tank engine Yvonne.

The railway will be giving passenger rides on Railway Weekend on 5th and 6th June when all three of Hollycombe's railways will be in steam.

Testing of fairground rides
Weight testing of Steam Gallopers 21st March 2010

Preparations for the 2010 season continue with weight testing of the Fairground rides.   Bags of gravel are used to test the rides under heavy loads, and the rides are then cleaned ready for the start of the season at Easter.

Winter work
Winter view of fairground 21st February 2010

Winter working continues (despite some atrocious weather) with rides being re-assembled after inspection and maintenance. Over the next few weeks rides will be weight tested to check their safety, ready for Hollycombe's Easter opening.  The narrow gauge railway engineering work progresses well with the new track and points in place, and the level crossing taking shape.  The miniature railway is taking shape again after lowering of the track to improve running.

Winter working - Narrow Gauge Railway Winter working - Miniature Railway

Winter work
Winter view of fairground 17th January 2010

Although not open to the public, Hollycombe is extremely busy over the winter.  All fairground rides have been taken down, and are being inspected, tested, repaired and re-painted.  Considerable lengths of Narrow Gauge railway track are being replaced, including the level crossing and automatic points.   About 60m of the Miniature Railway track has been lifted and the route surveyed so the track can be lowered to improve running.  The fairground organ from the Gallopers has been stripped down to individual parts for thorough repair and re-tune.

Winter working - Narrow Gauge Railway Winter working - Miniature Railway Winter working - Gavioli Organ

Hollycombe supports Liphook Carnival
Re-creation of a scene from Dads Army 24th October 2009

The annual Liphook Carnival dates back to the early 1900's. This year Hollycombe supported the event with our Dad's Army - Jack Jones butchers van float built by Hollycombe volunteers and was supported on the night by other volunteers who got into spirit of the event and dressed up as the main characters and walked the procession alongside the float. The crowds in the main village were entertained by two fairground organs owned by Hollycombe volunteers, a 31 keyless Grand McCarthy organ a 89 key Van De Broek.
More photos can be found here.

Halloween Fairground At Night
View of fairground at night from the big wheel 17th October 2009

A chance to experience the magic of the Edwardian Steam Fairground at Night, with a Halloween twist. The Big Wheel offers a unique view of Hollycombe's 100 year old fairground rides illuminated by electricity generated from the world's oldest Burrell Showman's engine.