Weald & Downland 2008 

There is a difference in the driving club and Southern Counties events.  Between both organisations all the aspects of working horses in the modern world are covered.  Our events at the Weald & Downland are split between driving club competitions and the more traditional "Country Show" events of the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association.  This weekend contained show horses, trade vehicles, rides and our driving club events as well as the star turn, John & Rowena Mc Dermott's 1908 Horsedrawn Fire Engine. 

The fire engine was commissioned by the Lor of the Wimborne St Giles manor, after the church on the estate had burnt down.  It was only ever used one for a fire, but the Sampson family bought it and restored it.  It has been doing service for a good few years now all over the country in shows and special events.  Do notice how hard the horses have to pull to get it started in the video on the right.

There is a lovely slide show of the event Here