Charity rally switches to Norfolk

Last year's rally at Henham was one of the most successful ever

One of Suffolk's major events of the summer calendar is moving to neighbouring Norfolk this year after a dispute over rent.

The Henham Steam Rally is switching from the Earl of Stradbroke's estate near Southwold to the Norfolk Showground just outside Norwich.

The organisers of the big charity fund-raiser and the Australian earl have not managed to agree a deal on rent for the two-day event.

The rally has been held at the Henham Estate for all but two of the last 28 years.

Foot and mouth disease restrictions meant it had to be switched to Brampton two years ago and once before it was switched to nearby Sibton Park when the two sides could not agree a rent.

The change of venue will give us a bigger catchment area and should attract new entries from owners of vintage vehicles who normally don't make it to Henham

Henham Steam Rally spokesman

A spokesman for the organisers said it had been announced earlier in the year that the two parties had reached a new agreement but later changes to the terms meant the event's viability and its aim of supporting charities could be jeopardised.

"The committee acknowledges the Earl's past generosity in allowing them to have the use of the park on such favourable terms.

"Last year was one of our most successful rallies ever so we are naturally disappointed to have to move away from this area," the spokesman added.

"On the other hand, the change of venue will give us a bigger catchment area and should attract new entries from owners of vintage vehicles who normally don't make it to Henham."

Thousands of visitors

The organisers say the Suffolk showground at Ipswich was available but they felt an event booked for the following week was a bit too close.

Keith Rouse, the 6th Earl of Stradbroke, lives in Australia and his son, the Honourable Henham Rouse is working with the estate manager to make it a self-sufficient operation.

He confirmed that they had failed to agree on a rent for this year's rally but that did not mean the rally would not return to Henham.

The rally, which attracts thousands of visitors, will be at the Norfolk Showground on 20 and 21 September.