A remembrance service commemorating the centenary of the First World War was at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
Hundreds made their way across the site to join the memorial in honour of all servicemen and civilians who lost their life in the First World War, complete with hymns, readings and blessings, finishing with the national anthem.
The service was led by Reverend Dr. Michael Foster, the Great Dorset Steam Fair chaplain with officiating chaplain to the military, Reverend Andrew Rowland and The Right Reverend Dr. Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne, the VIP guests.
Reverend Andrew Rowland said: “It's a special honour for all of us to be here commemorating the Great War of 1914-18. At this Great Dorset Steam Fair we delight in preserving historic engines, machines, vehicles, crafts, skills and hobbies - and sharing them with the public. There is something very special and holy in recreating and displaying artefacts and memories of WW1 as we are doing here.”
Ten of thousands of visitors flocked to the annual five day event at Tarrant Hinton, which finished yesterday.
In tribute to the centenary anniversary of the First World War the Great Dorset Steam fair hosted one of the biggest WW1 commemorative displays taking place in the UK this year.
Exhibits include a Horse Remount Depot, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Living History Group, The LMS-Patriot Project known as “The Unknown Warrior,” steam engines, tractors, field guns, a tank, heavy artillery, cars, motorcycles, lorries, trucks, agricultural demonstrations and much more - all with unique WW1 stories to tell. Dr. Busker is even be performing some of the popular songs and tunes of the Great War on the piano.
Great Dorset Steam Fair by numbers
Annually the Great Dorset Steam Fair goes through ten miles of electric cable, 200 tonnes of coal and 550 barrels of beer.
Over 200,000 visitors attend each year from the UK and all over the world.
This year there will be over 90 acts performing on six stages across the site.
There are over 170 acres allocated for pre-paid public camping that will accommodate a staggering 5,000 individual units (caravans and tents etc.) At the busiest time of Steam Fair week there will be between 15,000 and 20,000 show visitors camping on site.
Over 60 Showman's Engines with their gleaming, twisted, brass will generate the light and power for the old roundabouts and swing-boats.
Over 100 cars, 250 commercial vehicles, over 140 motorcycle exhibits, over 100 military machines, over 250 vintage tractors and over 100 horticultural tractors will be on display this year.
Around ten large corn ricks will be threshed at this year’s show and a dozen saw benches will be featured in the wood sawing area.
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