Steam Fairs and all that jazz

 Steam Fairs and all that jazz

                        1956 Daf YA 126 Dutch Army Weapons Carrier            

Our son-in-law, Paul, husband to our eldest daughter, Gillian, has always been interested in things mechanical. He arrived for their wedding in Langton Long on the back of a three-wheeled motorbike, a trike.

                                        All Saints', Langton Long

When they first met, they each had a white MGB sports car, lovely cars, but money pits. Over the ensuing thirty-odd years they have owned a succession of cars, but Paul has always hankered after something he could tinker with. Eventually, he acquired a 1956 Daf YA 126 Dutch Army Weapons Carrier. He then painted a caravan to match and he and Gillian set out gleefully to continue attending steam fairs, or rallies, as they’re more commonly called.

Steam rallies are held across the country in the summer months. Paul and Gillian travel in convoy, a very small convoy of two rigs. The first rig, driven by their friend, John, flies a blue flag. I don’t know whether it has the words ‘convoy follows’ in the required military fashion. Paul’s rig bears the green flag of the rear vehicle. They proceed at a stately 40 mph.

On arrival at the rally ground, they park at their allotted spot. Sometimes, the ground is rock hard and at others it resembles a bog, which leads to interesting challenges when it’s time to leave.

Ready to roll

Steam fairs are compelling events. At them you will see historic steam-driven fairground machines, traction engines, steam rollers and even steam cars.

 If you see this in front of you, please be patient!

The biggest steam fair in the UK is the Great Dorset Steam Fair (GDSF) which, since 2010, has also been known as the National Heritage Show. It is held on 600 acres in Tarrant Hinton, just north-east of Blandford, Dorset, and runs for five days. It was founded by the Dorset Steam and Historic Vehicle Club and has taken place almost every summer since 1969. (2020 and 2021 were cancelled because of Covid.) Moreover, it is the largest steam fair in the world, hosting the greatest collection of vintage and steam equipment.

The convoy proceeds. Paul's is the second rig.

 In addition to steam-powered devices the GDSF also features demonstrations of traditional crafts like thatching, pursuits such as ferret racing, the working of heavy horses in agriculture and displays of vintage motorbikes, bicycles and cars. There are commemorations of both World Wars, with ‘War damage’ scenes, complete with First Aid posts and vintage ambulances. There are also craft marquees, trade stands, food and drink outlets, live entertainment and a huge funfair.  It attracts about 200,000 visitors.

Needless to say, (but I’ll say it anyway) it causes great congestion on the narrow Dorset roads for the days leading up to and following it. Exhibitors and competitors, stunt men and experts, the curious and the knowledgeable travel from far and wide to attend. There is a short video here  and a longer one here.

However, the 2023 GDSF has been cancelled because of the rising cost of organising such a large event. The intention is to stage it again in 2024. 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Following a thorough review of the 2022 show, it is with great sadness and disappointment that the Great Dorset Steam Fair Ltd Board of Directors have to announce that unfortunately we will be taking a year’s break before running the next Great Dorset Steam Fair event, which will now be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2024 (subject to confirmation).

This has been an extremely difficult decision for us to make. Whilst the 2022 event has been a fantastic and resounding success as a spectacle, it has been mired by significant and spiralling increases in contractor and infrastructure costs and the costs associated with meeting the necessary regulatory and statutory compliance which are commensurate with operating such a large-scale event. In short, as a big show we have big costs, costs which have risen disproportionately this year and, crucially, are very difficult to forecast for next year in the current economic climate.

The event industry as a whole is still feeling the harsh financial repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which together with the aftermath of Brexit and the war in Ukraine, has seen significant increases in staff, contractor, fuel, transport, material and equipment hire prices. The likelihood is that event costs will continue to rise in 2023, compounded by the emergence of the cost of living crisis which will undoubtedly affect consumer confidence and spending in the event industry next year.

Whilst we appreciate that this will come as a surprise to many, given the success of the 2022 event, as organisers of a large scale major event we are acutely aware of the financial unknowns moving into 2023 with further cost increases likely and our regular customers, exhibitors and traders also feeling the financial squeeze. With the ongoing economic situation, the rise in inflation and the cost of living crisis, the reality is that it would be financially challenging for us to run the event in 2023. It is not prudent or sensible to hold the show next year and in order to safeguard and preserve the future of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, we believe this to be the right decision to enable us to continue to run a high-quality event in 2024 and beyond.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support.