BLUSTERY hurricane Bertha failed to dampen spirits at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway’s vintage and real ale event with hundreds of people enjoying the exhibits on display.

About 400 people visited the traction and stationary engines, vintage cars from the decades between 1900 and 1980, commercial vehicles, fire engines, tractors, motorcycles and military vehicles.

There was also a range of other vintage exhibits and amusements from smash-a-plate stalls to charity stands.

Visitors also enjoyed flypasts by Spitfires, Hurricanes and Dakotas, which helped to make the event an extra special one.

Tony Norris, the events organiser at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, said: “Saturday was really good, we had about 350 people come through.

“It went really well, we had vintage cars and we had a scooter section too with Vespers from the 1960s.

“We had the real ale bar from Three Castles brewery, which was popular.

“It was a very successful day and we had a lot of people through which put us in the profit on Saturday.

“It’s just a shame about the inclement weather on the Sunday.”

The real ale festival offered four different kinds of real ale and two ciders for visitors to enjoy.

Antony Melcock, the head brewer at the Three Castles, said he had been pleased with the sales that had been made.

He said: “We hold an ale festival in May here where we have around 20 beers, so when Tony rang up and asked if we wanted to come along to this event we said we would.

“Beer sales have been really good despite the weather.

“It’s always lovely on the Saturday and then the weather turns against us on the Sunday.

“But that’s British weather for you.”

Later this month, families visiting the railway can enjoy a children’s treasure hunt with prizes on August 24 and 25when they have a chance to spot all the named engine cut-outs hidden around the railway.

In the autumn visitors will be able to enjoy the Halloween Ghost Train.

For more information about the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and to find out about future events, visit the website at www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org.