Despite the inevitable rain on Saturday, the event was thoroughly enjoyed by a large turnout of visitors and exhibitors alike from across the country, to the picturesque and award winning Silloth Green, for a celebration of motoring heritage, community spirit, and fun for all the family.
Held over the weekend of 19th & 20th July, the 2025 Rally featured an impressive array of vintage tractors, classic cars, motorbikes, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, and more. Visitors of all ages enjoyed a nostalgic stroll through motoring history, with plenty to keep the whole family entertained – from traditional fairground rides and food stalls to trade stands and live performances.
In the main arena was the Ridgeside Falconry display, which captivated audiences with birds of prey from around the world. With a mix of static and free-flying demonstrations, spectators were treated to up-close encounters with owls, falcons, hawks, eagles, and even vultures. Audience participation made the experience especially memorable for younger visitors.
Adding to the excitement, Ridgeside’s Little Nippers Racing brought high-energy canine chaos to the arena, as dogs raced over obstacles in pursuit of an electric lure. The action-packed display, presented with humorous and engaging commentary from Phill, even gave members of the public the chance to try the course with their own four-legged friends – regardless of breed!
Wandering the Green was crowd favourite Jason the Juggling Jester, whose witty banter, balloon art, bubble tricks, and skilled juggling drew a trail of delighted families wherever he performed. Even a bit of rain didn’t stop his bubble mixture from working!!
On Sunday, the music stage came alive with the performance by “Wall of Sound”, a seven-piece band dubbed “All the Old Dudes” by the local press. With a combined age of nearly 500, the group delivered crowd-pleasing hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, covering rock, pop, soul, and blues classics. Carlos, acting as compère throughout the weekend, also lent his voice to some well-loved tunes.
The Mayor of Silloth, Owen Martin, had the difficult task of selecting this year’s Best in Show (Entry No. 44), a decision that always draws anticipation from exhibitors. The 1956 ERF KV 1100 was awarded the honour, and the prestigious shield was presented to Mr Alan Watson from Holmrook. New to Robert Thorne, Verwood, Dorset as a pole timber tractor. Mr Watson purchased the unit in 2006.
The Vintage Rally committee were pleased to commission a new trophy this year, in memory of former committee member & Mayor of Silloth, Graham Wilkinson, who had a passion for anything vintage and steam related. Our thanks go to Graham’s wife Marjorie and his family, who after much deliberation, chose a 1923, 7hp, Blackstone J stationary engine (Entry No. 22), with the trophy being presented to the owner Mr J.N. Forster from Carlisle. It was demonstrated as a unit with a Barn Thresher and Cake Crusher by Joseph Rickerby at the Cumberland Show, Carlisle at July 1923.
The Silloth Vintage Rally is a community-driven event, organised by a committed team of volunteers who work tirelessly all year-round to bring the celebration to life. The organisers extend heartfelt thanks to the local businesses, sponsors, Silloth Town Council, and the grounds maintenance team, whose support and hard work made the event possible. We would also like to thank all the stall holders, the fairground and the exhibitors which all contributes to making this an enjoyable event.
As the rally does not charge an admission fee, funding is vital to keep it running. This year’s event was made possible thanks to generous grants from the Solway Firth Partnership via the Robin Rigg Community Fund (£1,500), the Silloth Community Shop (£1,000), and the Cumbria Community Foundation through the Hellrigg Community Benefit Fund (£1,500). To raise some additional funds this year, we had an amazing tombola organised by Lorraine, with a large array of prizes on display. A big thank you to everyone who donated prizes for the tombola which raised £945 towards rally funds. The beautiful Kath’s Crochet Creations were available to purchase and the raffle of a unique handmade shoebox farm, all of which attracted a lot of interest. There was also some lovely new merchandise created and designed by the very talented Paula and some canvas prints of photographs taken by Brad.
Chairman, Tony Markley said “My continued thanks go to the dedicated volunteers on the committee and experienced helpers, both past and present, who continue to work tirelessly to make this annual event an enormous success for Silloth, Cumbria and the North of England.”
The Committee are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and to the volunteers who helped over the weekend of the rally. The event continues to grow each year, and it’s clear how much it means to the community. We’re already looking forward to making 2026 even better but we need more people to get involved. We’re looking for people who can help in a variety of roles, from planning and organising, to setting up the event and keeping things running smoothly on the day. Whether you have just a few hours to spare or want to take on a bigger role, every bit of help counts – and is truly appreciated. No previous experience is necessary – just a can-do attitude and a willingness to get stuck in! If you’d like to find out more about volunteering, please get in touch. Email: info@vintagerally.co.uk
For more pictures of the 2025 Silloth Vintage Rally, check out our Facebook page.