The Great Dorset Steam Fair
The Great Dorset Steam Fair  
Main GDSF Sponsor - Courage Best Bitter
Main GDSF Sponsor - Courage Best Bitter

Outdoor Convert Stage Friday 3rd September


What our regulars say

Emma Greener, Co Durham Great Dorset Steam Fair 2008
I just wanted to say how much we love the show, every year there's more of us from our area visit, in the last 4 years its gone from strength to strength and always gets better, just booked for this year and cannot wait already. Hopefully the days will fly by, however as always the show will go quickly and we will be very sad to say our goodbyes and head home! Well done all and keep up the good work!


David and Beryl Smith, Pitton, Salisbury Great Dorset Steam Fair 2008
On behalf of the Village Fete Committee I would like to thank you for your generous donation of the family ticket for our raffle towards the ongoing refurbishment of our village hall and maintenance on our Church. We will be updating the electrics to comply with current standards and purchasing some new tables. This would not have been possible without your kindness.


Margot Hopwood, Vale of Glamorgan Great Dorset Steam Fair 2008
Congratulations on producing the best show ever. I have been attending the GDSF for many years now and the show gets better & better. The organisation, on site services and the content of this year's show were all excellent. Steam Fair FM was fantastic this year, and I loved the genuine 60's jingles. GDSF is better than ever. Well done and thank you for a great time.


Bob Danton, Winterborne, South Glos Great Dorset Steam Fair 2008
Thank you for putting on a fantastic show this year. In fact two shows in one with the "re-creation" of the first working of steam. We also enjoyed the Friends facilities.


Nick Aplin, Friends Member, Dorchester, Dorset Great Dorset Steam Fair 2008
Thanks everyone for a wonderful 40th Anniversary Steam Fair! I would like to thank everyone who helped organise this year's truly wonderful event, every year is special, bit I am sure many will agree this year's event will take some beating! Like many I am looking forward to to viewing this year's DVD to relive it all again.


Charlotte Hearn, Winchester, Hants Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
I viI visited the fair for the first time this year. It was amazing and I loved every minute! Will be back next year with a bigger tent and more people.


John and Grace, St John, Cornwall Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Thank you for such a wonderful experience, from first time motorcycle exhibitors!


Nikki Pearce, Umberleigh, Devon Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
WOW! Just visited your fair for the first time camping with friends of ours, who come every year. What an amazing experience!! Me, hubby and kids enjoyed every minute and great campsite!! Will definitely return again next year, once again thanks for a great few days!


Adam Tanner, Fforest Fach, Swansea Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Hi Oliver Family. I am Adam Tanner and i'm 12 years of age. I very much enjoyed this years show. My favourite exhibit was the heavy haulage arena at night when all the sparks were flying in huge clouds, it was spellbinding. My second favourite exhibit was the heavy horses and military vehicles. Thanks again for the best show on earth!


The Owton Family, Romsey, Hants Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
We have been exhibiting at the steam fair every year for the past 25 years and been visiting since the first ever show and we would just like to congratulate all the organisers on the best show yet. Looking forward to 2008, the grandchildren already have a chart on the wall counting off the days.


Wendy Stannard, Gosport, Hants Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Just wanted to say the Countryside Arena was brilliant and adds a huge new dimension.


Norman Langford, Coleshill, West Midlands Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant. What more can I say. This year's event was again superb, it just gets better. Many thanks to the organisers for all their hard work. Can't wait until next years 40th Anniversary!


Hilary Nicholas, St Ives, Cornwall Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Thanks for a wonderful steam fair, we had a brilliant time. Didn't want it to end!


Bryan Newman, Sherborne, Dorset Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Great show - somehow still improving! Disabled camping area/toilets etc very good this year. Look forward to 40th and another magic week. Well done all involved!


John Crouch, Rainham, Kent Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Yet again the "Great Dorset Steam Fair" doesn't stop amazing me, how you manage to fit more and more in each year. Went for 4 days and still didn't see every thing. Many thanks, another great fair.


Eric Hibbert, Flintshire, North Wales Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
I would just like to congratulate you on yet another excellent show, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and look forward to the fortieth. Keep up the good work!!!


Kevin Jeffrey, Chipping Norton, Oxon Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
We would like to thank you for a great show again this year we all had a good time. Hope to see you all in 2008!


Anne Collis, Southampton Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
I have just returned from a brilliant weekend at this year's Steam Fair. It was my first time but after loads of recommendations from friends I went and I have to say I thought it was very well organised and a great weekend. I have to admit I thought the fair was fantastic and I have started nagging friends to join me next year.


Shelly Gadman, Lyndhurst, Hants Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Well another great weekend at the Dorset Steam Fair!! It seems to be getting bigger too! We will definitely be back in 2008 with even more people.


A T Jeal, Sturminster Newton, Dorset  
I am writing to say a big thank you for your kind support to the Anthony Nolan Trust event we organised back in July. Your donation of complimentary tickets went a long way to the success of the event. With many thanks again.


Eddie Farwell, Children's Hospice South West  
Dear Mr Oliver,
Thank you so much for your genorisity in supporting Children's Hospice South West, by allowing us to collection donations at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. With the recent opening of our second hospice, Charlton Farm, near Bristol, and with the launch of our new "Precious Lives" appeal for a third much needed facility, this time in Cornwall, it is more important now, than ever, that we continue to have the support of local people. It is only with your generosity that we can continue to provide and grow this much needed service.
Thank you once again for your generous support and for helping us make the most of short and precious lives.


Mr & Mrs M Hillary from Hampshire Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007
Dear Martin & Michael,
A little note to thank you both very much indeed for a really great Steam Fair. The Great Dorset Steam Fair always has such a wonderful atmosphere.


BBC – Commissioning Editor of the Fred Dibnah TV Show – London  
Dear Martin,
Just a short note to say many thanks for the Great Dorset Steam Rally Press pass that was forwarded to me. I went to the rally with my 4-year –old daughter and we both had a lovely afternoon. As you may know I am the commissioning editor for the Fred Dibnah TV shows and it was a real pleasure for me to be able to see many of the engines and traction machines in the flesh. My daughter was equally thrilled. Once again, many thanks.


Mr & Mrs J Collingborn - The British Tractor Challenge 2006 – Newport  
Dear Martin and team,
Thank you so much for allowing us to attend The Great Dorset Steam Fair. You gave us such a great site, we did very well both financially and promotional wise. I do wish we had a few more like you and your team to help us with our event, you of all people will realise that when it comes to organising anything help is very thin on the ground. I hope all went well for your wonderful event and you didn’t have to many headaches to deal with. Once again thank you and we hope to see you soon.


Ms Chapman – Marie Curie – Cancer Care – Somerset and Dorset Community Fundraising Office  
Dear Mr Oliver,
Just a short note to say thank you so much for allowing Mrs Page and her army of Minibus volunteers to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
They worked extremely hard to raise this money by driving long hours ferrying people around the huge site and this year they raised in excess of £656.00 from the very generous visitors to your fair.
Please be assured that the money raised will stay and help the Marie Curing nursing service in Dorset who care for cancer patients in their own home when the diagnosis had changed from cure to care fre of charge to the patient and their families.
Once again thank you for allowing this fundraising to happen it is vital that events like this happen so we can continue to care for cancer patients in Dorset.


Mr Appleton – Ian Allan Publishing – Lincolnshire  
Dear Martin,
Simply brilliant! What more can I say? It is difficult to imagine a better show anywhere on the planet.
Everyone has worked so hard and we feel very privileged to have been involved.
Please pass on our appreciation and congratulations to the whole team for putting on such a splendid event.
Here’s to the 38th Great Dorset Steam Fair!


Mary Newman - Poole - Dorset Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006
Dear Mr Oliver,
I'd like to thank you for a marvellous day at your Steam Fair. My daughter and I haven't managed to attend for a few years, so we're delighted to enjoy all the events and displays that were arranged.
We thought the organisation was very good, excellent facilities etc. We would like to show our appreciation for the enormous task you carry out in organising your steam fair.


Mr & Mrs R Tabram - Haverhill - Suffolk Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006
Dear Helen,
Thanks to the Committee and all the helpers for another fantastic show. This was our 17th year with the caravan. The security was excellent with good neighbours all round, what more could we ask for!


Mr & Mrs Insley - Bale Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006
Dear Helen,
Just a note to say we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the steam fair, and to commend you on the organising of all the facilities, and helpful and pleasant staff.
We met many new friends and we are all looking forward to seeing you in 2007.


Mrs C Gayler - Eastleigh - Hants Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006
Dear Helen,
I just wanted to congratulate you and the team on such a wonderful feat of organisation. We enjoyed the steam fair enormously.


Stuart Jackson - Templecombe - Somerset Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006
Dear Helen,
Just a quick note to say thank you for the very efficient camping administration for the steam fair. It was our first time and I was very impressed with the organisation of it all. Do pass on my comments to all concerned. We had a really enjoyable time and hope to do it again next year.