Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

This is always a spectacular sight on the openeing day of the fair. Note all the yellow vests, I am not quite sure what they would do if one of the loads came to grief; pick it up perhaps!

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

The 2011 Great Dorset Steam Fair was once again a tremendous success. The Static Vintage Tractor Section, under the able control of section leader Stuart Cotton was busy and organised very well.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club also once again had a presence. We not only represent our own group, the the National Club as well.

Here we see our stand at the top of the tractor section. Jon Boyce and me were in attendance whilst Matty Bisp joined us later in the week. The stand had the kind loan of Matt's little horticultural tractors, a Wheelhorse and International Cub Cadet. Both attracted a great amount of interest.

A welcome overseas visitor was Eric Dechanet from Arandon, near Lyon, France. He was accompanied with his wife and daughter. His tractor, a 1957 Vendeuvre BOB500, won the coveted best Overseas Exhibit. Well done Eric.

An interesting exhibit with a hand/pto winch as an attachment.

1951 Howard Hoe. A market garden tractor owned by Eddie Spencer from Tipperary, Ireland.

1916 International Titan 10-20 from Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

1942 Fordson with a McConal Hedge Trimmer.

A general over view of the Dorset event, with the Salisbury road and fun fair in the background.

1952 Steyr from Austria, owned by Christian Holtz

Mr George McCleer form Co.Antrim aboard a restarted Ferguson TE20. This represents the Ferguson Heritage section.

Saturday night at the fair is something special. Here we have 'Billy Boy', a Aveling & Porter 5nhp Showmans Tractor. Owned by the Turner Bros. Thormanby, Yorks.

Some other general shots of the night time special features.

Locomotive 80078, on loan from Swanage Railway, is a 1954 built 2-6-4 T Standard Class 4. A Brighton built locomotive. The engine is brought up by road by courtesy of Allelys Heavy Haulage and they in turn give a demonstration in the heavy haulage arena of loading and unloading a railway locomotive.

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog, yesterday the sever was down, however, there are just a small selection of photos taken this year at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
The weather could have been better. Wednesday was a wash out, and there was plenty of mud. But as the week went by the weather improved so that by Sunday the final day we were all able to pull off dry.
I thought the show was a little quieter this year, although I am not party to the attendance figures I think they were down from previous years.
We had a number of visitors on the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club stand. It was good to have amongst the visitors a number from the club.
Steve Crump from Stourport on Severn attended this year once again with two American commercials. Steve also brought a grey Fergie TE20 and exhibited on the stand. He and his son George, lady friend and newly borne baby girl helped out on the stand each day. Many thanks.
Jon Boyce who books the stand in could not attend until the Thursday. He arrived by 8am and was provided with a full English breakfast and tea.

Great Dorset Steam Fair

This last weekend, 22nd August, a private business engagement was held at S.E. Davis and Son to acknowledge the help and support of their business clients, staff and close family friends.

The weather was fine and approx 300 people attended and a good time was had by all. It was indeed a well organised private event and was very much appreciated by all who attended.

From the photograph a small number of steam engines were lit and paraded for all to enjoy. Chris Beale and me were invited to take charge once again with 'Linkey', the Fowler K7 ploughing engine. Mark Jones was not in attendance because of a prior engagement, so entrusted both me and Chris to look after the engine. We both appreciated the trust and hospitality of Mark, who lent us his living van also as accommodation for the weekend.

Now this Sunday 30th August I shall be travelling to Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford Forum, Dorset to exhibit the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club's stand at The Great Dorset Steam Fair. As chairman of both the National and North Worcestershire Clubs it is my task to promote the merits of this national organisation. We thank the organisers of the GDSF for allowing us to attend. For those who have yet to visit this event, it is without doubt the largest show of its type in the world. A mini town springs up every year on this 800 acre site. It is doubtful whether I shall re post on this blog until after this show, it ends on Sunday 6th September.