No GDSF in 2024

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.

 

I think it's fairly common knowledge nationally they've had increased problems with members of the caravan community in recent years.

 

Presumably though there is now an opportunity to run a similar event somewhere else in the country

 

A Google Search brought this up

https://www.change.org/p/cancel-great-dorset-steam-fair

 

But only 8 signatures in more than a year

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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

 

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.

 

The nearest - but much smaller - event might well be the Roads to Rail Steam Rally at Norden from 28th to 30th June 2024.
Details to appear at: https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/roads-to-rail

 

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.

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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

 

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!