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Gladiator is one of our big Burrell showman’s steam engines who usually lives in the Hall of Transport, but this week she moved out to take a little holiday to Dorset.

Gladiator was moved by tractor to be taken on a trailer to the Dorset Steam Fair who are celebrating their 50 anniversary. Gladiator has never been to the fair before but is hoping for some admirers!

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, The Dorset Steam Fair, which  takes place from Thurs 23rd to Mon 27th August, will host 500 full size steam engines as a world record breaking event. Never before has such a gathering been attempted until now!  find out more here – https://www.gdsf.co.uk

If you can’t make it to Dorset to see Gladiator with her steam companions, here is a little bit of information about her.

‘Gladiator’ was completed on 14^th March 1921 and supplied new to Fred Gray, a London showman based in Hampstead.  Originally called ‘Wonder’, her name was altered to ‘Gladiator’ at some stage in her career.  When her working days with Gray’s were over, she passed through four owners from 1955 to 1988, when the engine was occasionally rallied, before a major overhaul was required.  In 1988 ‘World of Country Life’ bought her and decided to restore her to her former glory.  A new firebox was fitted but the rest of the engine was in quite good mechanical order.  A new dynamo pulley was fabricated, new cladding sheets were made, additional fluted brass work was obtained and end fittings cast and machined, finishing with a full re-paint and coach lining with gold leaf.

Gladiator is currently in need of a hydraulic test hence not being in steam today.

Nigel Lee, Managing Director of World of Country Life recalls it was indeed the late Michael Oliver who was founder of the Great Dorset Steam Fair who officially opened the World of Country Life Museum on 31^st March 1978 – 40 years ago this year!

Have a great time in Dorset Gladiator!

 

World of Country Life, the multi-award winning all weather day out for the whole family, celebrates it’s 40^th year – so what has made the park so successful? 

With a fantastic mix of play areas, animals, museum exhibits and entertainment, there really is something for all ages to enjoy. There are 3 undercover soft play areas, outdoor adventure playground with swings, slides, roundabouts, trampolines and an air bouncer.

But it is the animal that are the real stars of the show with the farm animal petting zoo, daily bottle feeding, small animal handling, goat walking and ferret racing activities as well as Hawkridge birds of prey flying displays and the famous Deer Train Safari – where else can you hand-feed red deer and llama?

The museum of family farming, vintage and classic vehicle collection and the Reg Imray motorcycling collection make this a unique full day out for all generations, whatever the weather.  To commemorate 40 years in tourism, a brand new piece of play equipment was added to the outdoor play area this year, it was unveiled by the former Mayor of Exmouth, Brian Cole. A competition was held so the public could choose the name….

Standing 4 meters tall, HARRY the Harvester was conceptualised by Nigel Lee, the owner of World of Country Life, designed by local Exmouth designer Michael Greenland and built by local firm Culver Sawmills. Harry the Harvester has flashing lights, lots of buttons and fantastic sound effects. Park Manager James Turner said “it has taken a lot of skill and hard work during some really tough weather to construct such a large and complex piece of equipment, but seeing the kids clambering around enjoying themselves makes it all worthwhile. Harry the Harvester will stand pride of place for years to come.”

Themed Pirate days and Wild West Wednesday’s are just a few of the events planned for the six weeks of Summer. All this along with the farm-themed restaurant serving locally sourced, home-cooked proper meals.

Check out the website for further details and future events on www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk.

Westdown Lane, Sandy Bay, Exmouth, Devon EX8 5BY. Tel: 01395 274533

 This article is from The Exmouth Property Press (issue 83 July 2018). 

 

Hey guys, Angus here… I’ve been in the papers again! I was very pleased to have been invited to the launch of the no. 95 bus. It’s back again for the summer, but with a brand new look for 2018.

The open-top ‘Big Beach Bus’ hit the road earlier than normal this year to coincide with the opening of Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and the start of our main season too. The 95 route connects the Sandy Bay with us here at the World of Country Life and Littleham, Exmouth sea front and Exmouth town centre too.
The bus has been revamped with a fun, new look celebrating everything that is best about the beach, but retains the name the ‘Big Beach Bus’ as it was originally suggested by Littleham CofE Primary School children back in 2014.

To celebrate the launch of the new bus Littleham school children wrote poems about a trip aboard the bus. The winning poem was written by pupils in Year Four, ages 8 to 9, with two runner-up poems written by Taylor-Rose Anslow and Daniel Jeeves in Year Six. The poems will be displayed in the interior of the bus, providing customers with an entertaining read as they enjoy their journey to us at World of Country Life from Exmouth sea front / town.

Myself and some of the team joined the class who collaborated on the winning poem for the bus’ first trip of 2018. We were met at Sandy Bay by Stagecoach South West Managing Director Bob Dennison, the Mayor of Exmouth Brian Cole and some of the team from Devon Cliffs.

Here at the World of country Life, we know the 95 bus service is vital for a lot of families wanting to join us for the day, and this brand new look is just fabulous. What do you think?

 

If you need to plan your journey on the 95 Big Beach Bus to visit us, click here to view the timetable.

 

Here’s a photo of us all at the launch 😀

Children and teachers from Littleham CofE Primary School with MD of Stagecoach SW Bob Dennison, Operations Director of Stagecoach SW Paul Clark, the Mayor and Mayoress of Exmouth and some of our team from the World of Country Life and Devon Cliffs.

Hey hey, Angus the deer is here!!

Hi guys what a fun filled season we’ve had!!

There’s been pirates, cowboys, minions, super heroes and star wars characters!

plus so much more!

So here we are fast approaching the end of 2017 season but before we go we have a Spooktacular week of October Half Term Halloween Fun planned!

October Half Term Halloween Fun
Mon 23rd  – Sun 29th

 

Halloween crafts & pumpkin carving (with free face painting on selected days!) and on Fri 27th, Sat 28th and Sun 29th our Spooky and very Kookie Halloween show Angus and the Witch!

Here’s a thought – why don’t you little goblins dust off your Halloween costumes and come in dressed up?!

One more thing before I go – due to its incredible popularity last year we are again holding our…

Visit Santa Victorian Christmas Experience

You need to book online at www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk/visit-santa but be quick its filling up fast !! And you can save 20% if you are an annual pass holder too!

Looking forward to seeing you all over the half term week

Angus