VETERANS of field, farm, road - and desert - put on a glorious display of might and power to ensure Kington Vintage Show’s 25th anniversary event went off at full throttle.

The weather was as mixed as the large assortment of classic, vintage, commercial, military and American vehicles, and even though a hoped-for Spitfire failed to make an appearance, no-one was complaining.

At this milestone event, there was a display of photographs charting the show’s progress, and a large framed photograph in tribute to 69-year-old Michael East, a much-loved local character who died last month.

Organisers distributed notices around the show site, Kington’s Recreation Ground, making an urgent appeal for volunteers to climb on board to help prepare for next August’s show. This year’s special show pitched three portly pigs in a series of racing bouts which caused squeals of delight among the crowds.

As usual, the huge steam engines stole this year’s show, though the event also shone with the sheer spectacle of old and much-loved cars, buses, lorries and tractors, even antiquated bicycles and bath-chairs.

The show committee had hoped to mark this anniversary year with a planned Spitfire fly-past. However, a problem related to Spitfire engines has grounded all of these historic war planes.

On the showground, one modest Morris Minor pick up was making its first return to Kington for three decades. Almost 60 years old, the vehicle once delivered paraffin around the town. In the mid-1980s it was sold for £50 and languished in a barn for many years. But last weekend the van, rebuilt in recent months, was back in town.

Owner Alan Tipton is appealing for information and pictures to build up a history of the old workhorse. Contact him to help on 01588 673257.

Another old timer, a 1934 Wolseley Nine saloon was on the showground. Bought new for £179, the car has remained in the same family ever since.

Presteigne owner, Martin How explained that it had last been taxed in 1965 for the princely sum of £12 -10 shillings.

Not so local, a 1936 Austin Jones cut something of a dash. A former London taxi , it was eventually abandoned in a Somerset chalk quarry - a photograph of a ghostly skeleton showed the worst.

The vehicle has since been lovingly restored and has even recently completed the London to Brighton run.

- Email kingtonvintage@yahoo.co.uk to join the show’s committee,