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No GDSF in 2024

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by Pete Thornhill, Nov 17, 2023.

  1. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Just been announced that after missing this year the Great Dorset Steam Fair will unfortunately not making a return in 2024.

    Apparently they are considering 2025 but it sounds pretty terminal to me as the increased costs are likely to continue to rise in reality which is a shame as it was a great show.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Nov 17, 2023
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  2. MrC

    MrC New Member

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    Reading the local paper suggests that it is the end. The event is up for sale with the implication that it won't happen again until under new ownership. Real shame. Wish I had gone in 2022.

    The comments attached to the news article suggest a second reason for it not continuing besides or maybe linked to increased costs. I have been told this reason myself by more than one person. Although the community mentioned is often singled out there must be at least some truth in it as it appears to be common knowledge locally.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2023
    MrC, Nov 18, 2023
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  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I think it's fairly common knowledge nationally they've had increased problems with members of the caravan community in recent years.
     
    5944, Nov 18, 2023
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  4. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Presumably though there is now an opportunity to run a similar event somewhere else in the country
     
    johnofwessex, Nov 18, 2023
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  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    That probably already exists. For example Welland Steam Rally is still going strong and was bigger than ever this year.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Nov 18, 2023
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  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    johnofwessex, Nov 18, 2023
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  7. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

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    RLinkinS, Nov 18, 2023
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  8. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Indeed BUT searching suggests that this is indicative of some of the issues associated with the event.

    For what its worth while fingers may be pointed at a particular group from my perspective I will simply put it down to anti social individuals in general
     
    johnofwessex, Nov 18, 2023
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  9. MrC

    MrC New Member

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    Casual racism is the norm in Dorset. Not exactly a multiple cultural part of the world so some excuse there. Except Bournemouth which has ever culture going and is the better for it. Except Sikhs oddly.
     
    MrC, Nov 18, 2023
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  10. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    buzby2, Nov 19, 2023
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  11. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    I heard earlier in the year (in August) from a colleague at work that it had been stopped for good. She and her husband were regular visitors to this event and she said there were some other reasons circulating in the enthusiast community about why it has really been stopped. She had been told that the cost factor was being used as the reason in the media.

    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
    green five, Nov 19, 2023
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  12. Southernman99

    Southernman99 Member Friend

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    Welland in Malvern is getting bigger by the year. It also opens the door for heritage railways that might have the space to put on similar events. Not in size but in flavour
     
    Southernman99, Nov 21, 2023
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  13. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    Is that a good thing? One thing that put me off going to the GDSF in more recent times has been the ever-increasing number of "market" stalls one has to wade past to get in. I appreciate that they probably make a financial contribution but I wonder how many people go because of them, and how may more might go or stay away if they weren't there!
     
    61624, Nov 23, 2023
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  14. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Welland is getting bigger but is a different set up to the GDSF. Yes there is a market stall section and a farmers market & craft tents but they haven’t forgotten their roots and the emphasis over the recent years has been to increase the working sections rather than over commercialisation.

    Unlike Dorset the fair remains entirely vintage, the live entertainment that is on is focused on the stage by the beer tent and it’s very much a working show which in all honesty parts of it always did better than GDSF at.

    The most recent addition was a new arena which was a copy of the Dorset Playpen but despite the growth, the event remains very much focused on what was its reason for existence in the first place. I’m not sure if you have ever visited but it’s a great show with some fantastic working exhibits, it’s easier if like the Ross on Wye steam engine society you own the site to have things such as an extensive working field demonstrating ploughing etc. Dorset may have always been bigger but Welland has always been the best overall, I don’t think it will lose touch with its roots by getting bigger.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Nov 23, 2023
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