A BREWERY set up by film-maker Guy Ritchie is to sponsor The Great Dorset Steam Fair later this year.

Gritchie Brewing Company, based in Ashmore, will sponsor the 2022 event that runs from August 25 until, bank holiday Monday, August 29.

The event, at the Tarrant Hinton showground near Blandford, is being supported by £156,000 of funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund as the sector continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Gritchie Brewing Co was founded by the Hatfield-based director and producer and, as part of their sponsorship, will bring their purpose-built outside bar to the event. The bar - a converted 1972 vintage Bedford TK Lorry Horsebox, will keep beers flowing throughout the five days.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair is described as “the world’s leading and largest heritage event” and was first held in 1969. The event attracts more than 100,000 visitors from the UK and abroad each year.

This year, for the first time ever, the show will introduce a Modern Classic Motorcycle and Modern Classic Car section: the exhibition will cover the years 1970 to 1995 and aims to have an inclusive range of exhibits that reflect the era.

Simon Burge, Head of Sales and Events at Gritchie Brewing Co, said: “As a local company, we are honoured to be associated with such a prestigious event as the Great Dorset Steam Fair and are excited to be selling our range of traditional beers throughout the event”.

Martin Oliver, Managing Director at The Great Dorset Steam Fair said: “I am delighted Gritchie Brewing Co are coming on board as sponsor this year. The Great Dorset Steam Fair is proud to support local companies and the traditional ideals of the Gritchie Brewery Co fit perfectly with the show’s rich heritage background”.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday, August 25 to Monday, August 29. The spectacle covers an enormous showground, at more than 600 acres being one of Europe's largest outdoor event locations