Vintage Spirit

Great Dorset Steam Fair

31st August - 4th September 2011

Take a great picture at the Great Dorset Steam Fair and be in with a chance to win one of 15 prizes in The Great Dorset Photography Competition promoted by the Great Dorset Steam Fair, Vintage Spirit Magazine and Steam Fair FM.

·         1^stPrize - A collection of 8 limited edition prints from the original paintings of Howard White and a 2 year subscription to Vintage Spirit.

·         2^nd Prize – A driver Training Course with the National Traction Engine Trust in 2012 [in small font](Taking place on 12^th/13^th May 2012 at Astwood Bank. Meals provided, accommodation not included. Minimum age: 13).

·         3^rd Prize – A 5 day camping or caravan pass for 4 persons, for the 2012 show plus 4 Great Dorset sweatshirts.

·         4^th Prize – Present your own half hour programme on Steam Fair FM 2012 plus a 2 year subscription to Vintage Spirit.

·         5^th Prize – A 2 year subscription to Vintage Spirit complete with Vintage Spirit Binders to store your magazines in.

·         10 Runners up – 5 will receive a 1 year subscription to Vintage Spirit, and 5 will receive a package of Great Dorset Steam Fair merchandise, including sweatshirts, show DVDs and more!

To take part, all you need to do is make sure your camera is loaded with film (or digital memory!) and snap away at the Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011. Attend either the Vintage Spirit Restoration Marquee or the Great Dorset Steam Fair Show Office to pick up an entry form, or print off an entry form by clicking here.

Closing date is Friday 30th September 2011.

The Photography Competition Results 2010

We were inundated with entries, all of which were of a very high standard. After much deliberation, our panel of judges whittled the finalists down to these marvellous photographs.

1st prize

Brian Gibson, Lancashire

It's never easy taking pictures after dark, but we considered this superb shot to perfectly capture the unique atmosphere surrounding the showman's line-up in the fairground section of the show. Seen here is 1918 Fowler Showman's-style No. 14948, Prince of Wales, in front of a sky illuminated by a modern fairground ride, contrasting the traditional with the contemporary in a very striking and elegant form.

2nd prize

Christine Cox, Bournemouth

Although we don’t know the name of this boiler-suit clad, flat-cap wearing gentleman, nor the showman’s engine he’s cleaning, all of our judges were struck by his image. The Great Dorset show is all about the many characters who make it happen each year, and with his grubby hands and polishing cloth, this chap is clearly concerned with ensuring that his historical engine is presented to the public as resplendently as possible.

3rd prize

Nick Bosworth, Ilkeston, Derbyshire

A number of this year’s entries experimented with the style of presenting an engine in silhouette form against a setting sun. The long shadows in the foreground of this picture evoke the evening period of the show, when the steam action begins to wind down and the visitors start heading off to the beer tents and fairground. The engine depicted here is believed to be 6 ton Aveling & Porter road locomotive No. 8471, Clyde.

4th prize

Carolyn Fisher, Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire

A simple but executed superbly executed shot of a lovely ploughing engine in the shape of Fowler No. 15436, Princess Mary of 1920. With the engine in light steam under a bright blue sky, there is a real serenity to this shot, while the activity of the engineman, busily oiling the components, adds a human quality to the powerful-looking machine.

5th prize

John Arthur, Market Harborough

Given the abundance of cameras you see each year at the event, finding a different shot or unusual angle would seem almost impossible. However, this has certainly been achieved in this highly original picture of the showman’s line-up and familiar helter-skelter ride, which are reflected in the hub-cab of a Burrell. Here is a readers’ challenge – can anyone identify the engine?!

Runners Up