Traction engines, Viking warriors, dodgems, the Red Arrows and jumping motorcycles were just a few of the myriad distractions on offer at Stotfold Mill during a scorching weekend.

The Comet: Tug-of-war between hundreds of volunteers and one of John Saunders' traction engines, the 14-tonne Lord Kitchener, at the Stotfold Mill Steam Fair and Country Show 2016.Tug-of-war between hundreds of volunteers and one of John Saunders' traction engines, the 14-tonne Lord Kitchener, at the Stotfold Mill Steam Fair and Country Show 2016. (Image: Archant)

Crowds exceeding 13,000 converged on the mill for its 14th annual Steam Fair & Country Show.

There were more than 20 steam engines, Evel Knievel-style motorbike stunts from Flyin’ Ryan Griffiths and his stepson Jumpin’ James, and tug-of-war matches between hundreds of men, women and children and John Saunders’ traction engines.

“Everyone pulls together in Stotfold for the mill,” said Kevin Balderstone, chairman of the mill’s major events team.

“It looks like it’s going to be the most successful one to date in terms of fundraising.

The Comet: The Red Arrows over the Stotfold Steam Fair and Country Show 2016. Photo: Stewart Parnell.The Red Arrows over the Stotfold Steam Fair and Country Show 2016. Photo: Stewart Parnell. (Image: Archant)

“We need to raise £30,000 a year for the mill, so thank you to all who came to support the mill, part of Stotfold’s heritage.

“This is one of the biggest events in Beds and Herts that is run wholly by volunteers – so I’d like to give a big thank you to all of them too.”

For more see stotfoldmill.com.