Here are some highlights found at the new web site of the
Great Dorset Steam Fair, http://www.gdsf.co.uk/  and in the
brochure at http://www.gdsf.co.uk/2006_dorset_leaflet.pdf

Robbie Rhodes
Etiwanda, Calif.

 - - -

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2006, Weds. 30th August - Sunday 3rd Sept.
South Down, Tarrant Hinton, Blandford, Dorset DT11 8HX

  Situated northeast of Blandford Forum in the heart of the beautiful
Dorset countryside, The Great Dorset Steam Fair is widely recognised
as the leading event of its type in the country and, indeed, in Europe
and the World.  It is held on a mammoth 600 acre showground at Tarrant
Hinton, near Blandford Forum, and is regularly attended by over 200,000
people from both the U.K. and abroad.  The year 2006 sees the staging
of the 38th Great Dorset Steam Fair.  But how did it all start?

  Ten miles of electric cable, 150 tonnes of coal, 1000 barrels of
beer!  These are huge statistics by anybody's standards.  Statistics
that Michael Oliver and his pioneering colleagues in the Dorset Steam &
Historical Vehicle Club surely could never have imagined would apply to
their own 'little show'.  But that was 38 years ago when the show was
in its formative days.  How things have moved on in the time since! ...

  One of the highlights of the show is the old time steam Funfair.
Annually, over 50 Showman's engines with their gleaming, twisted brass,
appear generating the light and power for the old roundabouts and
swingboats to operate, and with the 100 merry organs playing, it
makes for a fascinating spectacle, especially at night.  For many the
nightlife of the show is the highlight of their visit.  To add to the
excitement several of the large fair organs are fronted by stage shows
where traditional "Can Can" dancing girls perform. ...

  Every year the show expands and new features join the 2000 working
exhibits, 200 working steam engines and 100 fairground organs on the
incredible 600-acre showground!

  Advanced booked entrance tickets and camping space: all public
pre-booking enquires to

  Mrs Helen Jeans, Great Dorset Steam Fair, PO Box 5303,
  Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7ZN.
  Tel 01258 488928.
  Email Helen.jeans@gdsf.co.uk

All enquiries (except for advance public bookings) should be made to:

  Martin Oliver, Managing Director,
  Great Dorset Steam Fair Ltd.,
  Dairy House Farm, Child Okeford,
  Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8HT England
  Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1258 860361
  email: enquiries@gdsf.co.uk

  "It gets crazy at times," Martin says, "we've got a huge mailing list
including people from such diverse places as Iran and Japan.  We've had
people trying to book in for 2007 and 2008 already and I had to go out
and buy a calendar from Smiths to check the dates!"