Events (2010) pt 1

New Year run

Liz Russell agreed to arrange the meal again this year. We decided to use the Hand and Dagger which proved a bit of a challenge for some as on the day the snow lay thick on the ground. A road run had been arranged but had to be cancelled for safety reasons. The roads were treacherous as I know almost to my own cost. I took a right hand bend slowly, but the road was as smooth as a mirror with ice so I ended up going straight on whether I wanted to or not. Over 40 turned up for the meal and some did brave the weather in their vehicles as you can see below. Thanks to Liz for organising the meal and Dave, Barry and Jon for planning the run even though it didn't happen. Photos are courtesy of Norman from www.Northernmemories.co.uk. And not forgetting Alan and Lucy from the Hand and Dagger for the excellent food.

Crich - Easter

Dave Salisbury, Barry Marshall, Ian and Esther Wray, John and Marg from West Lancs braved the cold to travel to Crich over the Easter weekend. I can't report much about the event but it was apparently very enjoyable.

Lytham St Annes Fairhaven Lake Spitfire Day

Paul Lomax gave a short report on the Fairhaven Lake Easter gathering that was arranged to raise aid for Help for Heroes and also the Lytham Spitfire Memorial. £1,200 was raised. Support from the MVT came in the form of Paul Lomax (Jeep), Darren Swan (Bedford QL), and Tim and James Hardy with their Jeep, tent and display items. The event was very well supported by the public. Photos supplied by Norman Callaghan of www.northernmemories.co.uk fame.

Fulwood Barracks run

Around 16 vehicles turned up for a run from Th'Owd Tithebarn into Preston for a stop off at the Fulwood Barracks, and then on to the Hand & Dagger for a bite to eat. Other vehicles met the convoy at the Barracks. Norman Callaghan has supplied photos from the run. Around 30 members were in attendance for what seemed to be an interesting tour of the Barracks museum led by an official guide. Stories of hauntings at the Barracks kept the members alert. There were no mishaps on the way, which must be a first for our group. As can be seen the weather behaved itself so Jeeps dropped their roofs and some their screens to make the most of the sunshine.

VE Day Celebrations Samlesbury

Norman Callaghan, our resident photographer, provided a report from this event, together with the photos that are used with his permission.

"With the Wheels And Wings Show at Elvington being the major show of the weekend it was good to see a good and varied display of vehicles at the V.E.Day celebrations at Huntley's Farm, Samlesbury near Preston.

Frank and Angela (from the West Lancs area - ed) traveled light to the show, they brought along their 25 pounder display!!, which gathered considerable interest with the general public.

Two ex-servicemen were seen discussing and reminiscing the merits of the Bren gun which was also on display.

Angela was kept busy explaining to the general public the ins and outs of the many items they had brought along.

The Bell Huey and a 1942 Chrysler New Yorker believed to have used by Eisenhower in London during the war also attracted a great deal of attention.

Even though the uniforms were strictly British and American, we did have a visitor from the Axis powers."

Wray Fair

Our intrepid Sales team were out as usual at the Wray Fair pushing leaflets into any willing hands ready to take them. Wray Fair is used to good effect to advertise our events which this year centred on Ingleton Home Front coming up later in the year. A sizeable collection of vehicles turned up together with the Ingleton Home Guard. Around 14 vehicles were there, more than in previous years. More leaflets had to be printed as the gallant crew ran out. Expect Ingleton to be packed! Thanks to John Ward for the photos.

Hand & Dagger

We returned to the Hand & Dagger in May though the landlord and landlady have changed, their enthusiasm for the event is still there. We had a good turn out of vehicles ranging from a BSA motorcycle up to a mighty Antar. The owner of the Antar brought it from Liverpool at about 1-2 miles per gallon, so I was told, but also returned to Liverpool to fetch his Diamond T that has a consecutive registration number, and not much better mileage per gallon. Vehicles like that take dedication. Frank Brown put on a display of weapons to put most others to shame. Surprisingly the visiting Police officers seemed un-phased by the display. More modern equipment arrived for a visit on Sunday with Keith Broome appearing in his HMMV. Two visits to Bonds Ice Cream parlour over the weekend helped cool down what was the best and hottest weekend of the year. Food at the Hand and Dagger received good reviews and having sampled their breakfast and a lunch there, and can agree with the reviews. Don Estelle made an appearance but we could not persuade him to give a rendition of Smoke Gets in Your eyes or Whispering Grass.