Summer arrived and the first events have cautiously started, so we’ve seen some of our members for the first time in a while on the roads.
Yorkshire Area’s Crank
Up finally took place on the 25th July after several cancellations, due to Covid regulations.This is our most popular annual area event, and usually our first
official rally of the year, usually taking place in mid-April. So in 2021 it still managed to be our first event, just somewhat later than
usual! As the old saying goes, every cloud has… our later date, meant we were blessed with good weather and actually HOT and sunny, a blessing when parked up and spending the day chatting to your MV mates.
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Our usual venue - the ‘Eye of York’, which for those who don’t know it, is a large circular grassed area in front of Cliffords ancient tower. This year, we had to share that space with a large fairground carousel so all rather fun of the fair with the vintage music. The carousel team were very accommodating and delighted to be surrounded by a variety of 45 military vehicles and their keen occupants. Note to area treasurer, maybe worth arranging free rides for area members next time? as we rather believe that we may have helped their business takings that day, drawing in interested onlookers to our vehicles and them being tempted for a quick spin on the merry go round.
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Attendance somewhat reduced than in normal times including the very smart and beautifully restored Morris CDSW of Chris Smyth and the Land Rover 101 forward control of Martin and Jane Swindells, both are very much a credit to the skills of their owners. Of course, plenty of lots of very nice machines out for the day and was a real pleasure to see them all. All credit to Brian Slingsby and team for the organisation, Brian remarked that it was a delight to and see groups of people chatting away, really enjoying getting out to see their mates again, sharing MV tips after such a long layoff.
Stephen Carr, area webmaster and avid phoyographer, attended his first public event since September 2019 - a D-Day gathering at Ushaw Historic House in County Durham.
He took two Jeeps along to join around another two dozen vehicles in the grounds of the house. Good weather and great meet up with many friends again, even if all keeping a safe distance.
Late June, saw the Bowes Railway and Springwell Village 1940's weekend, 'though greatly scaled back. Sadly, it rained virtually all the first day, so not many public
attending, and with such a damp day, no pictures. The Aln Valley Railway near Alnwick 1940's weekend had decent weather and had a good turnout by the public.
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Smaller and more informal was a Yorkshire Dales run, and several smaller group events, and I write this area update, the Yorkshire Wartime Weekend is just setting up for should be a fully booked out weekend. Personally, I’m looking forward to Mid-September and
Grassington’s 1940s weekend, which for me is one of most beautiful locations (
used as the location for the TV remake of All Creatures Great & Small ) for the most atmospheric MV camping weekend. Drive safe and keep smiling.
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Paul Mayo
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