But now rally volunteer Brian Davies has confirmed that local people are planning to meet soon to ensure it continues.
“Quite a few of them have contacted me after hearing of the problems and want to take it on, so all is not lost,” said Mr Davies. Trevithick 200 chairman David Reynolds said: “The trustees have unanimously agreed we cannot afford to underwrite the rally and finish the Catch Me Who Can locomotive before a deadline in September.
“Therefore, we have decided to forgo the rally this year and concentrate our efforts on the locomotive. The trustees have no objections whatsoever to another sponsor underwriting the rally, but the Trevithick 200 charity does not have the resources to bring both resources to a successful conclusion this year,” explained Mr Reynolds.
He said the deadline to complete the replica of the world’s first steam loco followed a change in Government legislation, which involves meeting strict criteria to get the engine tested and approved by the Railway Inspectorate.
It was revealed last summer that trustees were in a race against time to raise £18,000, bringing the total cost of the project to almost £50,000. Mr Reynolds painstakingly designed and has been building the Catch Me Who Can replica at Bridgnorth’s Severn Valley Railway Station.
Mr Reynolds said that he wanted to thank everyone who had helped, encouraged and backing the rally, particularly the town council for its support and making the facilities at Severn Park available.
The ‘Rally in the Valley’ was started two years ago and drew hundreds of visitors to Severn Park to enjoy seeing historical working locomotives, as well as other attractions.
Founder Trevithick 200 chairman Brian Jones said the charity’s decision was “sad, but a fact of life.”
