By Reina Free
This August Bank Holiday, my daughter Johanna and I were again part of this great annual event that takes place in the fields surrounding the small village of Tarrant Hinton in Dorset. This year was very special as we celebrated the 40th anniversary.
It was started by a local farmer called Michael Oliver and was held in a few fields around Stourpaine Bushes. Since then it has grown and grown into a massive event and is now organised by his son Martin, and what a truly great event it was. Just imagine 23,000 people camping on site in caravans, motor homes and tents; a London architect even erects his own Mongolian ‘yurt’.
It is held in fields of 600 acres. People
come from all over the world. It warms my heart to see so many Dutch flags
flying, for the British and the Dutch have a great deal in common… and I
should know!About 300,000 people visit over the five days of the event. The cream of big showman’s engines is there, superbly and lovingly kept and maintained. In the evening, a long row of them is lit up and in steam; the smoke blown along by the wind. Behind, a fair – colourful amusement for all tastes, the timid and the brave.
There is something for everyone. Ploughing with shire horses up steep fields, ploughing with traction engines – one on the top, one on the bottom – guided by a strong steel cable. There was also a reconstruction of the fair, how it was 40 years ago. Cider pressing – apples pressed through straw with the help of a donkey turning a wheel. Craft tents much longer than our own Oxford Street; dancing sheep trained by a very amusing New Zealander; a display of birds of prey, set free and then called back by the falconer. All kinds of horses, some pulling a stage coach with people dressed for the part. Beautiful fairground organs playing: one comes all the way from Holland. For the enthusiast, all kinds of vintage cars, army vehicles, Romany caravans and showman’s caravans of times gone by. There is a big tent called ‘How things were done in Granfers days’. Food and drink for every taste. Everyone is having a great time. Rich man, poor man; all one for five days; one great happy family.
It is unique and thank God still very English; something to hold on to, not to let go.
Bill, my late husband, a very clever engineer, loved the steam engines and took us for many years. Now in remembrance of him, Johanna and I show his beautiful model of ‘gallopers’, a roundabout – true to scale of course!
This year was a truly grand occasion and we had the joy of meeting friends of many years. It was a privilege to be part of it all in a small way. God willing and all being well we hope to share again next year in this wonderful event.
For more information on the Great Dorset Steam Fair visit: www.gdsf.co.uk