43rd Great Dorset Steam Fair  Dick Eastwood reports

BB1 no. 15332 Johnny

Michael & Dawn Smiths  4-furrow A/B plough

Dave Knott steering

The Chief and the Smith 4 furrow plough being pulled down

43rd Great Dorset Steam Fair

This being my first GDSF, I was totally unprepared for and overwhelmed by the size of the event! Held over the 31^st August to 4^th September, with fine weather throughout, it proved a memorable experience. The Fair provides so many attractions that choosing which to visit becomes a challenge as does walking miles from dawn until late into the night between stalls, engines, working demonstrations, around the play-pen then the fun-fair and Showman engines.

The Steam Plough Club ‘MASH’ tent, flag and banners were set up at the corner of the field of stubble to be worked - looking out at chalky soil that rises to the hill top skyline - a prime site that drew spectators from early each morning and greeted those entering from one of the many public car parks.

Helping Julie Chick with sales of club publications and other material were Mike Beeby, Stuart and Sharon Oliver, John Rhead, Derrick Saunderson, Mike (Jim) Culver and Dick Eastwood. Sean Symons erected the tent and saw it safely packed up on Sunday.

David Steel provided two miniatures of an early Burrell PE engine together with an AB plough and water cart (actually the gas tank) which provided visitors to the tent with an insight into cable ploughing. Mike Beeby supplied TV/DVD player with generator and presented Club DVDs.

Seven engines were present:  Mary & Brian Snelgar’s BB1 “Princess Mary” no. 15436 of 1920, David Williams’ BB1 no. 15332 “Johnny” of 1919 driven by Jonathan Garman, Guy Debes’ 14nhp SC no. 2528  “The Chief” of 1875, Andrew Melrose’s 12nhp SC no. 1368 “Margaret” of 1870, Mark Farwell’s K7 no. 15279 “Neville” of 1919, Charlie & Robin Daniel’s BB1 no. 15163 of 1918, and, Basil Gibbons’ BB1 diesel conversion no. 15199 new in 1918 and converted in 1951.

Basil Gibbons provided his turning harrow and Brian Snelgar his newly renovated 11/13 tyne cultivator for the work and an un-restored 6-furrow A/B plough for display, while Michael & Dawn Smith provided their 1890 4-furrow A/B plough. With one spare engine parked in front of the Club tent, the others took it in turn to pair up each day to haul the plough, cultivator and harrow across the large sloping field. The engines worked along the rope barriers, just beyond the fire-breaks that had been created by turning over a narrow strip around the periphery, giving spectators an excellent view of every aspect of steam cultivation. Those who made it on foot to the top of the hill, or cheated and used the trailers provided, were treated to the amazing panorama that is the GDSF – cars, caravans, tents, exhibits and fairground as far as one could see.

Miniatures at work - Eric Hawkins of Cornwall worked his 2” Fowler Superba ploughing engine with combination cultivator/roller/harrow implement partnered by Trevor Ellis driving Norman Coyle’s  3” Fowler T1 double-drum SC PE “Betty”.

Gyrotiller vans – 4 restored gyrotiller vans were present  - only one of which had a number and this turns out to be a new addition to our records. Two of these had been rebuilt along the original lines retaining the diesel tanks forward and rear, while the other two have the owner’s personal preferences incorporated.  All were in a sorry state before resoration.  A fifth van was reported as a result of the enquiries made.

Club sales amounted to almost £300 - almost as good as last year – while nearly £600 of NTET stock was sold;  5 new members were recruited and 3 renewed their membership.

Julie Chick hosted a reception in the tent on Saturday evening  – well attended by members and their families, engine crews and invited guests. Potatoes baked in an oldish 1875 engine smokebox helped the hungry maintain their energy for the visit to the funfair later! It proved to be a great success with well over 50 in attendance. The Club tent is definitely the place to visit!

Thanks to the engine/implement  owners and crews, the helpers in the tent, and especially to Julie.  Well done everyone.

Julie Chick, John Rhead, Mike Beeby, Mike Middlewood     in front of the Club Marquee

Saturday night Get Together

David Steel and wife Lynn provided two examples of a ‘Markie’ produced PE model based on an early Burrell - one completed and another in unfinished state – together with plough and water cart (actually the gas fuel for the engine.) These are available at £2800 for the engine and £750 for the plough!

Brian Snelgar's newly renovated 11/13 tyne cultivator

BB1 no. 15332 Johnny, Mary & Brian Snelgar’s BB1 “Princess Mary”    SC no. 2528  “The Chief”

Brian Snelgars   Princess Mary (left) Charles Daniel BB1 (r)

344 Mark Farwell K7 Neville