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I write this at
the end of September during a mini heatwave. Yet again, in the north at
least, we’ve had a poor summer with some particularly cold and wet
spells. We had our Crank Down run in the Dales over the weekend of the
24/25th September in weather that resembled the summer as a whole which
ranged from quite cold and wet to very warm and sunny. More on that
later.
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Croft Circuit
Nostalgia Weekend ( just to prove we did get some sun )
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The
Croft Circuit weekend, at the beginning of August, is within reach of
members who live north of Leeds and was attended by Tony Paling, Ivor
Waterhouse and Stuart Wright amongst others. Sadly, for a major mixed
event, the bad weather ruined some features, such as the BBMF flypast,
but things brightened up on the Sunday.
On the same weekend the
annual HCVS Trans Pennine event on the Stray in Harrogate which is
great, was thinly attended by military vehicles. This is an event I
enjoy because of the run itself, but neither of my Bedfords were
available.
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Paul and Val
Cornish, with their jeep, are regulars at the Ingleton War Weekend, in
July, as are our Matchless biking trio of Colin Dixon, his son Craig,
and Mick Edmondson. They report about 25 mv’s being there, and enjoy
the battle in the main street watched by large crowds. If you like
dancing, then there is an evening dance in the Community Centre. I have
not yet been to this so if anyone has some photos of the weekend please
send them off to our website so we can see what the event looks like.
Gordon Trousdale told me
of an gigantic vintage vehicle event at Thornes Park, Wakefield which
this year was on the 2nd July. Some 15 mv’s were there along with a
reported 1000 other cars, commercials, tractors and motorbikes. He
really recommends this to everyone as an evening only event. Dare I say
it’s great to look at vehicles that are not green from time to time.
Being in the heart of the area this is something we could support. Funds
raised go to a charity of the organiser’s choice.
I suspect a lot of you
enjoyed the War & Peace Show, but I bumped into very few familiar
faces. I travelled south with Melvyn Bean towing a trailer containing a
25 pdr gun barrel which was being collected by a Belgian for his Sexton.
With the help of a fork lift this was transferred very successfully into
his Dodge. Ivor Waterhouse, by comparison, towed a carvan with his jeep
for a full weeks stay. We availed ourselves of Mike Peacock’s camp
during the day and roughed it in a hotel at night! He had been in Kent
since the previous weekend to take part in a Garrison event at Leeds
Castle where they were providing the bangs for a performance of the 1812
Overture!
Ian Anderson, Gary
Cottingham and Denis Matthewman again supported the North East Military
Vehicle Club’s annual rally at the end of August, in the grounds of
the Durham Light Infantry Museum. They looked as bright and breezy as
possible after a good night and clearly enjoy this compact show. I must
say that their Club brochure listing the vehicles and exhibits is first
class. Sat on a trailer at the entrance was a very rare 1916 British
3.7” howitzer, recently acquired by Rob Nixon, awaiting its turn to be
restored.
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North
East Military Vehicle Club at the DLI Museum
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A large gathering of
military vehicles, of all ages, can be seen at Chatsworth Country Show
and form one of the shows attractions. The vehicles are spread out on a
grassy slope near the river, and next to one of the main entrances to
the show. Organised by Paul Sykes and our very own Dave Reape, this is
an excellent opportunity to combine things military with attractions for
all the family.
Our area was well
represented with Ivor Waterhouse, Dale Shipley Nick Calvert, Brian Fox,
Nev Johnson, Bob Fenton, Brandon Young, Chris Smyth and myself amongst
the gathering. Over 50 very varied vehicles were on show over the
weekend for the public to wander around. This Country Fair has to be one
of the best in the country. How many shows enjoy the splendour of the
Household Cavalry, or provide an early morning hot air balloon
extravangaza? We really enjoyed the two days and the drive there and
back over the tops on virtually empty roads.
In September the
areas’ 25pdr gun detachments were in action at Rufford and at the
Victory Show. At the latter they were ‘firing’ from a hill across
the road from the battle arena, with simulated fall of shot explosions
in the arena.
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Chatsworth Country
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The
end of the summer is marked by our Dales Run planned, organised and led
by Chris Smyth, with the support of his wife Val. I blagged a lift with
them at the eleventh hour and very glad I did. An outstanding journey
through a marvellously varied landscape was the reward. A serious
distance was travelled by the convoy of Jeeps and Land Rovers, some of
it off road on the moor tops. Many grateful thanks go to Maurice Clarke
for the Friday evening camping facilities on his Cardale estate at
Beckwithshaw. There was talk of new event next year earlier in the
summer in addition to this. Watch this space.
A full report with
photos can be found HERE.
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Brian Slingsby is looking forward to winter and plenty of snow ( well he
does have vested interests! ). Seriously though, he is particularly
looking forward to next years Belgian winter rally between 3/6th Feb
2012. If you fancy a fun weekend away in Belgium let him know and he
will help you to do your entry. Having been myself I would say you
can’t have enough warm clothing, but it is spectacular.
The Christmas Party will be on the same night as the monthly meeting,
Wednesday 7th December. All are welcome and Brian says “we will
endeavour to have some fun of the Christmas variety, and maybe some food
thrown in too.” If you plan to come along, please do, as all are
welcome.
Mike Humphreys.
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