Michael Oliver MBE
The funeral of Michael Oliver MBE, founder, Director of the Great Dorset Steam Fair and long standing resident of Child Okeford, took place in St Nicholas Church, Child Okeford on Tuesday 15th December. Family, villagers, friends including steam enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad, turned up on a grey wet afternoon to pay their respects to Mr Oliver.
It was also a celebration of his life, he was a well loved character and he will be missed by all. Michael Oliver’s favourite fairground organ was brought down from Sheffield especially for the event. The traction engine Quo Vadis lead the hearse towards the church.
Many people have their own stories to tell of Michael Oliver, his larger than life character, who always had a story to tell. My own reminisces of Michael is visiting our farm delivering chicken feed for Bibby’s Animal feeds; he always had time for a cup of tea and a yarn with my parents.
Michael Oliver founded the steam fair in 1969 and this year’s four-day event attracted more than 200,000 people.
An end to an era, farwell to a great character.
Link to the Great Dorset Steam Fair website
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"Today I attended the funeral of Michael Oliver which turned out to be a great celebration of his life. I was pleasantly surprised to see many signs in roads and drives inviting people to park outside their houses. As a visitor (I came from Swindon so just the next County) I was made to feel welcome in your village straight away. Perhaps in some way you could thank the residents for this favour and I only wish I could have seen a collection tin for a local village charity in return." Mr Russell, Swindon
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