'Why I bought steam fair founder's steam roller'

1 hour ago

Ros TappendenSouth of England

News image — Clive Smith said the steam engine was an investment for his sons

Oliver Smith Clive Smith and his son Oliver pose in front of the brown and gold steam roller — Clive Smith said the steam engine was an investment for his sons

"I've always had a bit of a thing for steam engines," said Clive Smith, who has just become the proud owner of his first steam roller at the age of 61.

Despite never having driven one, Smith, from Child Okeford in Dorset, forked out £56,000 for the machine previously owned by the late Great Dorset Steam Fair founder Michael Oliver.

More than 1,000 lots of steam fair memorabilia, machinery and supplies were sold in an auction at Lilac Farm in Bridport, marking the end of an era.

The fair attracted steam engine owners and enthusiasts from across the UK and ran for more than 50 years at a site near Blandford.

It was last held in 2022, with organisers announcing in 2025 that it was no longer financially viable.

Smith said he bought the steam roller as an investment and because he was determined it should remain in Dorset.

Getty Images A long line of steam engines puff dark smoke into the blue sky at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2022. — The steam fair returned in 2022, after the Covid pandemic, but was no longer financially viable

Saturday's auction included signs, vintage tractors and trailers, along with the steam engine and the fair's musical organ.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, Smith said: "I've done the Great Dorset Steam Fair for many years and the legendary Michael Oliver, who was the founder, was a very good friend of me and my father.

"I just didn't want [his steam engine] to go out of Dorset... so I decided to buy it."

Smith, who has been going to the steam fair since he was a child, said he remembered seeing Oliver's roller years before it was restored.

He said: "We knew the steam roller was there and it was always parked alongside of his shed with a big tree growing through it for many years."

Smith says the machine was eventually taken to Shaftesbury where it underwent a five-year restoration, which was completed in 2010.

Ray Bird/Geograph A man in blue overalls operates a Ploughing Engine named Margaret pictured at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1989 — The Great Dorset Steam Fair, pictured 1989, continued for more than half a century

Smith says the steam roller would be looked after by a friend who would take it to shows.

He said: "I went down there the other night and he said 'get in it and drive it around'.

"It was the first time I've ever driven a steam engine - a bit slow for me.

"It went round and round the field so we had a bit of fun.

"It's absolutely mint - it's in lovely done-up condition.

"As a family, we are proud to own it. I bought it as an investment for another day for my boys."

Steam fair founder Michael Oliver died in 2009 and event continued under the direction of his son Martin until 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

It returned once more in 2022, but rising costs meant it was no longer viable.

Announcing the auction, organisers said: "Sadly, this is not what we or anybody wanted but the reality of the situation is that it is now four years since the last show in 2022, and with all of these items having been kept in storage offsite since then, clearly, this cannot continue indefinitely, hence the reason for the sale."