WITH thousands of vintage vehicle fans set to descend on a popular fixture in the summer calendar, we have trawled through the Evening Mail archives to take a look back at the event’s history.

The 2015 Cumbria Steam Gathering will once again be held this weekend – drawing visitors from near and far to Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, for the occasion’s 43rd instalment on Saturday and Sunday.

For more than four decades, the Cumbria Steam and Vintage Vehicle Society Ltd has been bringing together vintage vehicles for crowds to admire at the huge annual gathering.

As well as attracting enthusiasts with years of steam gatherings under their belts, the bumper summer extravaganza has always drawn countless numbers of families – offering something for people of all ages.

Famous for its steam engines, vintage commercial vehicles, classic cars, motorcycles and agricultural tractors, the gathering has also always been awash with fairground festivities and mouthwatering smells wafting from the refreshment stalls.

The family day out has typically been a sure-fire way to keep children entertained – with magic shows, miniature remote controlled car racing and vintage rides, including some which are almost 100 years old.