The 12th annual Steam Fair and Country Show will take place at Stotfold Mill next weekend.

The Comet: A steam engine at the Steam Fair and Country Show last yearA steam engine at the Steam Fair and Country Show last year (Image: Archant)

The two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, offers visitors the chance to admire the Saunders’ biggest working steam collection in Europe, have a go on the vintage fairground and look around the Stotfold Mill, as well as many other family events taking place in the main arena.

Comitatus, a historical re-enactment group, will be demonstrating the life and skills of the late Roman army with training displays based on manuals of the period, featuring Latin drill, missile competition and combat sparring.

RAF Henlow-based Captain Neville’s Flying Circus will be showcasing a selection of vintage aircraft including an iconic Tiger Moth biplane flown by Steve Carrington-Porter and a DH Queen Bee biplane flown by John Flynn.

Also providing entertainment will be the Essex Dog Display Team, the acrobatic trapeze and rope skills of the Above and Beyond Aerial Display team, the Traction Engine Tug of War and a mountain bike stunt team.

There will be a Free Kids’ Zone which will include an inflatable slide, bouncy castle, a gladiator joust and giant games.

While on Saturday night there is a free evening of entertainment starting with a children’s disco, followed by ‘happy hour’ discounted fair rides. Also performing are Indi and the Vegas and Stevenage singer-songwriter Nadeem Leigh who featured in BBC One talent show The Voice last year.

There will be a bar marquee selling real ales, a food court, a farmers’ market and helicopter flights on offer.

The fair is open from 10.30am until 5pm on both days.

Tickets for the show can be purchased on the day priced at £8 for adults, £4 for children and senior citizens, with those under four getting in for free.

Funds generated from the show will go towards keeping Stotfold Watermill and the nature reserve open.

Advance tickets are available from www.stotfoldmill.com/steam-fair and are priced at £6 for adults, and £3 for children and senior citizens. A family advance ticket for two adults and up to three children is also available for £20.

The deadline for ordering tickets by post is tomorrow (Wednesday).

For more details and event times for the weekend visit www.stotfoldmill.com/steam-fair