Here are a couple of photos of lamps spotted at the GDSF this year. I spotted at least three Tilley donut lamps at the show, two on stalls with wallet busting price tags and another one peeking out of a lovely showman's living van. I only managed to get a shot of one of the ones in the stalls. I am not an expert on the donut lamps but they didn't look the best examples and certainly didn't sell during the week. There were a few other lamps and radiators but nothing much else of interest apart from the outdoor wall lamp. One stall was selling NOS 182 glasses but again high prices meant they weren't selling through the duration of the week despite making a couple of sensible offers. The last time we were at Dorset (2009) there was a great display of Tilley lamps and I was hoping it would be there again this year to have a chat with the exhibitor but despite a photo in the programme from a previous year the display wasn't there. Overall it was a great week and well worth the long journey south.... Regards Dave
Hi Jeff, We fly from Glasgow to Southampton, book early and you get the flights cheap and then get discounted car hire from the AA. You couldn't do the journey any cheaper by car with the cost of fuel these days. We stay offsite at a nearby coaching inn which is very reasonable and has great food and drink. It might surprise you how easy it could be to get there if you fly, I would recommend going to Dorset to anyone with the slightest interest, it really is a fantastic show. The highlight is the steam 'playpen' and of course the original steam fair at night with the 30+ line up of showmans engines that provide all the power for the rides etc. You really need 3 days to do it justice but you could do it in 2 long days but would need a day off to recover afterwards! Be prepared to walk for miles and miles.....looking forward to our next visit already....! Cheers David
Hello David, it's the flights to and from Shetland which are the expensive part. The last time that I got a return flight from Shetland to Edinburgh it cost well over £400! Cheers from Jeff.
I didn't realise it was so expensive to get to the mainland Jeff. I understand how that would be prohibitive ! We tend to try and fit in something extra other than just the GDSF, previous years we have managed trips to Haynes Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Bovington Tank Museum and a few other places. Is there much in the way of vintage rally's up in Shetland ? Cheers David
Hello David, the cost of air fares between Shetland and the mainland are a shock to everyone! There are no vintage rally's in Shetland. I got the chance to visit the Harrogate steam rally once, it was enjoyable and I would like to visit others. Jeff.
Hi David McC i have been to the great dorset steam fair twice and it realy is out of this world all the shows and exibits. the auto jumble is huge and there are plenty of old stove lanterns blowlamps for sale in all sorts of conditions.you realy do need to spend a good coupke of days there realy. The last time i went was about 5 or 6 years ago and we had a week there what we done was to book into a camp site about 15 miles away and travelled there as the family wanted to do other things as well we all went on the second day of arivale and i went again on my own a couple of days later.any one who has not been it is well worth a visit
I only live 20 miles away and have never been to it; the traffic is a nightmare! Might do it one year, but it will be quicker to walk. Steve.
Hi Steve you could make a fortune with a bed and breakfast now all the lampies know your close.. think of all those people wanting to vist the steam fair kenny...
Hi Dave! I saw this stall, it had some nice stuff but as you said it was a bit pricey! I loved the hospital type Tilley but i think he was asking £200 for it In the evenings i noticed alot of people with Tilleys walking around, was very nice! wish i brought mine with me! Adam Adam
Hi Adam, Just noticed your reply....! Yes that was the price of the hospital lamp, there was another guy selling onion glasses for a premium, I tried him a few times for a deal but wasn't budging, and he wasn't selling many either....a bit greedy!! I saw a few Tilleys lit at the fair, particulalry around the Showman's line up at night, which itself is spectacular! A good engine show for lighting sets and Tilleys is Astle Park in June.... Cheers Dave
Hi Dave! There was a guy with a parrot on a stall, he was very rude but he tried selling X246B's for £35 a piece, they looked all nice and shiney but on closer inspection they looked like that they was painted with brass effect as you could see the brush marks and also there was red on the base lol, i tried to haggle but him and his mate said globes cost £30 alone.......No Comment! I also saw the tilleys mainly around the showmans too! I would like to make Astle oneday. Adam
The guy or the parrot..? Astle Park - a distinct possibility... I could even take my stationary engine and water pump, assuming I get them fettled in time...
I go to dorset every year as we show our stationary engines the best part is looking around the junk stalls and then at night when we fire up all our tilleys vapalux bialadin and petromaxs and any new lights we find.
I do Dorset every year too , exhibit stationary engines and yes i have to agree . Get in the show on the bank holiday monday and you get 2 days to look around at the junk stall before the public gets in . Il be there this year . matt
Why not post some pics ? maybe even a new thread in the open section I'd certainly like to see some pics of your stationary s
I can get some pictures , even got a video of one i was running on sat . If everyone would like to see them ??? matt
Hi ray good idea lets see some dorset pics I start thread for mick he is not too good at posting the pics yet in open forum pete
