Great Dorset Steam Fair.  

    The moment we shut our car doors in a field not far from ‘Tarrant Hinton’ we were greeted by dry and dusty soil, but that was only a small hitch that we surrendered to, as our eyes met the sheer vastness of rumbling activity known as the ‘Great Dorset Steam Fair’. Praised as the largest steam fair in Europe, as it gathered grace on over 3 ½ acres of Dorset country side. We queued at the turnstile with anticipation and an eagerness to throw ourselves within this spectacle that began an industrial age.     

      Our ears we delighted to hear the pistons of refinement that were to-ing and fro-ing within the cylinders of these beautiful steam engines, their drivers gave expressions of jeer as they compete to be steamier with the grunts, coughs and splutters these grand old ladies make. You could waste several days just absorbing these placid metallic elements that became an age of steam.

      Marquees gave gentle flow to visitors, who were intrigued with what was hidden within the shrouded white canvas, which numbered in clusters all over the fair site. Among the many activities of spectacle, the one, not to be missed is the magnificent demonstration of the steam powdered heavy haulage, steam threshing, ploughing, wood sawing and road rolling, all with an ‘odour oh la soot’ and under the suspicious gaze of a mock speed camera. 

      A thousand lights flicker the colours of attraction, you’ll be drawn to where the old showmen compete with the new, and the brass barley twist is rubbed and polished to draw its gleam, as the ‘Ferris Wheel’ gives an overall view of what lies beneath.  The ‘Mouse Trap’ swirls you round and the ‘Log Plume’ cools you down, as you’re shepherded by the crowds towards the ‘Swing Boats’, ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘Hall of Mirrors’.

  Walking away from the ‘Bumper Cars’ and Candifloss, you can sit your rear on a bale of hay and enjoy the events of the arena or explore the many stalls of what’s new and what’s jumble to some, but gold to others.   Marvel the many stationary vehicles with rubber on their wheels that are rungs in the ladder of the modern motors we know today. You can also pitch your tent and enjoy the many evening events before retiring to your camp bed. Every taste is catered for in the many mobile nosh venues situated around the massive site.

    Great pride has been taken in organizing this annual treat. The marshals will point you in the right direction for whatever your need. Overseers of the Police, Fire brigade and First aid are present; there is also an onsite pharmacy. The Great Dorset Steam Fair has reached a landmark in its existence, it now has a total of 40 shows under its belt, and may it grace us with another 60 to let our children celebrate its centenary.  It’s not just the organizers we should thank, but the contributors, who give their time and passion to put the Great in its title.  

Photo taken from the Ferris Wheel and shows 1/3 of the site.