Many clubs and societies are seeing membership in freefall, due to modern lifestyles, and particularly after the pandemic.
But the enthusiasts of the West Dorset Vintage Tractor and Stationary Engine Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in January, are still going strong – with an incredible 250 members aged from teens to 90s.
Not only that, but they have successfully recruited younger members on to the committee and as club members too, which will help to push the club through another half a century.
There aren’t many clubs that have lasted half a century and still have four founding members. Still fewer have raised a whopping £100,000 for local charities.
Treasurer and company secretary Wendy Beaven, 70, said: “The club was started as a way to share an interest with like minded people – how to fix them and maintain them and show them.
“We’ve always raised money for local charities, including Weldmar, the air ambulance, Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, Bridport Sea Cadets and Dorchester and Charmouth Scout groups.
“Last year we raised money for Fishing for Life, which provides fly fishing sessions for ladies with breast cancer in this area, and for #WillDoes, which helps young people with their mental health.”

Secretary Sammy Biss, 34, whose dad Eric was a founder member and whose grandad Morris held a variety of roles in the club including chairman, said: “It’s not only vintage tractors and stationary engines at our rallies – we also have classic cars, Land Rovers, military vehicles, motorbikes, commercial vehicles and steam engines.
“There are also static displays – one guy shows his collection of old oil cans through the ages and another shows his collection of tractor seats.
“We also have a horticulture marquee, stalls, a model fairground, traditional woodcraft demonstrations and sometimes a blacksmith.
“It’s hard work organising the rallies, but everyone mucks in – it’s a community.”
Over the years the club has only missed two of their annual rallies. One was cancelled due to the pandemic, the other due to a foot and mouth outbreak. Big celebrations are planned for their 50th rally in 2028. This year’s event will be held on June 13 and 14.
The inaugural meeting of the club was held in January 1976 at the Coach and Horses in Winterborne Abbas.

In March that year the club appointed Dr Dewhurst as its president, and Colin Foster donated a fine minute book, so that meetings could be run in an orderly fashion.
They launched a competition to design the club badge and Mr P Hansford won. He was presented with a bottle of whisky.
The club quickly established itself, and in May they held their first rally – an open meeting at Looke Farm near Puncknowle, by kind permission of Mr J Pike. Around 20 tractors and stationary engines were exhibited by club members, and Dickie Plummer brought his swing boats and raised money for the club.
That first year was incredibly busy, with monthly meetings, a rally and in December the club’s first Christmas supper and dance at Martinstown village hall, with tickets priced £1. 75 each.

The club continued to hold rallies at Looke until 1984, when they moved to Gore Cross, and the event grew over 11 years before moving to the Melplash Showground at West Bay.
Founder member Loric Collins, from Dorchester, said: “The club has had many guest speakers over the years, along with some great trips to museums, train and boat rides.
“The first bus trip was to Bicton Gardens in October 1976.
“In the early years the club entered a club float in local carnivals.”
Club meetings also moved about, first to the White Horse in Maiden Newton (now flats) on to the Swan at Toller Porcorum (also now closed) and then back to Maiden Newton at the Chalk and Cheese, then the Conservative Club in Dorchester before returning to Winterborne Abbas.
The club also holds an annual ploughing match in either spring or autumn, an annual bingo night and four meetings a year.
Membership is £25 for an individual or couple and child memberships are £3 (age 5-16).