Events (2015) pt 1

Crich Tram Museum

Dave Salisbury's Facebook page has provided some words and a couple of shots of the expedition down to Crich Tram Museum, where Ian and Esther, Dave and Jude, and Ken to name a few spent the first weekend in April. Dave had the following to say about the event. "Well done to everyone at Crich, bit of a cock up on the parade but the weather was beautiful. Bit of rain Friday well most of the way from Preston but the rest of the weekend was sunshine all the way and lovely and warm . Five jeeps there and Five jeeps home. One or two mishaps but nothing serious; that's Jeeping. The hotel was booked in Matlock Bath for August in between the event at Peak Rail and Crich where we also handed out flyers for the Easter event on the Saturday. Realy good to see so many old friends at this smashing venue but I must say the weather made it so much better. We had a stop on our way home at the Woodside bikers cafe for a pot of tea, then onward over the Cat and Fiddle through Macclesfield to our food stop at Chelford and the real ale pub Egerton Arms with a friendly smile from the landlord. This is one of the best pubs for food and they do a gluten free menu. We have always stopped here on our way back for the last seven years, twice a year, it just rounds off the weekend." Once again, the Crich museum have pulled off a succesful weekend.

Ye Horns Crank up

Weather played a big part in this year's crank up. The field we usually use was out of bounds so a camp around a small car park was all that was on offer. Nevertheless a number of people managed to camp for a few nights through sunshine and rain. The Saturday run out was split into two, a short run out to Dunsop Bridge/Slaidburn and a record breaking 133 mile run from Longridge to Grassington, Aysgarth Falls, Dent and back to Longridge. Both, of course, stopped for food so at Slaidburn the group sat down to light snacks at the cafe, whereas at Grassington fish and chips were the order of the day. Jonny Newbould commented that he was 8 when he was last in Grassington, so to bring back memories of childhood, scraps were added to the fish and chips from the large pile gathered in the chip shop range. They were good too, golden crispy nuggets of loveliness.

The Pioneer Run of three Jeeps (Ian McCormack and me, Jonny Newbould, and Jonathan and Boyan Holmes) continued on from Grassington to Aysgarth Falls. A short walk took us to the Upper Falls. Jonny was challenged to walk out to a large boulder in the river but a hole in his boot put him off in case his foot got wet. He and Ian did manage some shorter steps out into the river. A pot of tea and scones were consumed before pushing on to Dent. Dent is unusual as it is on the main road but the road switches to cobbles within the village itself, very quaint. We had to examine this strange phenomenon and also sample a half of sonmething good in the Sun Inn. Warmed up, we set off back to Ye Horns where we had an excellent later than planned meal.

The short run had more vehicles on it, some preferring not to overdo the mechanics of their pride and joy. Tony Howarth joined the regular group of Jeeps in his Russian Gaz, as did Dave Forshaw in his Hillman. This group returned in time to catch an earlier sitting at Ye Horns and were warming themselves by the fire by the time smaller group returned. All agreed the runs were excellent, if a little cold.

A discussion by the Pioneer Corp set some plans in motion to do a Three Passes trial, Kirkstone, Wrynose and Hardknott in a day. With Hardknott being a 1 in 3 (1 in 3 make it over?) this could be a challenge, even for a Land Rover 110 according to Jonny. We shall see.

Heaton's Bridge

Thanks again to Dave for his Facebook photos of the first Heaton's Bridge event of the year. He says the road run on the Saturday was great until three vehicles got left behind on the railway crossing. Please remember to keep an eye on the one behind and stop if you can't see them. Eventually the whole group will have stopped. The weather looked good for those that turned up, and now I have my own Land Rover I've no excuses in the future. Thanks to Paul Connolly for organising the event.

MVT AGM

We won a cup at the MVT AGM. The group came second in the category of compliance with the new MVT rules on membership and financial management. Well done to Dave and Boyan for getting us through the process. Simon Bromley, General Secretary, presented the trophy to Jonny Newbould in Dave's absence at our May 2015 meeting.

70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey

Many months in the planning resulted in a flawless trip down to Jersey to take part in the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey. Accomodation had been sorted and received rave reviews, the weather seemed to hold out, the locals were very friendly, and all told, a great time was had. A few photos have been pinched from Dave Salisbury and James Ashcroft's Facebook pages, so thanks to them. If you want tto see more, join Facebook and make friends with Dave and Jim. The big event was the motor cavalcade through St Hellier. The Jersey MVC had attracted a wide range of vehicles to attend and it showed if you get the chance to look at videos on Youtube, search for Jersey liberation. Thanks must be passed on to Jim and Dave for organising our group's trip.

Chipping Steam Fair

A regular venue for many of our group, but I've not been for some years so I though I'd give it a try. Luckily the weather held for most of the time but some mud was present, one of the problems experienced over the years at a previous site that put of some visitors. The show was well organised with a large space for Military vehicles, photos of which follow. There was plenty of variety at the show from vehicle and steam enthusiasts, and more styles of food than you could sample over the weekend. Entertainment for those staying on the site was provided in a large marquee with some excelent ale to help pass the evening. We were asked to parade around the arena with some of the lighter vehicles in the MV collection where a very knowledgeable gentleman introduced the vehicles and the drivers then was able to expand on the driver's description to give the audience more of the story. Oh and sleeping in a hammock in the back of a Land Rover 110 is possible....I did it. I think this is a show I'll return to.

Myerscough College Open Day

Ian McCormack has provided a reprot and photos from Myerscough. "Sunday 7th June saw the annual Myerscough College Open Day and Country Fair which once again attracted large crowds who were treated to the usual array of demonstrations, shows and interactive activities from the college’s many diverse subject areas as well as food, drink and entertainment. Highlights of the day included equestrian shows and demonstrations, motorsport and machinery displays, the agricultural shows and falconry demonstrations, photography and floral exhibitions, sports tournaments and children’s activities. The agriculture and countryside zones and superb landscaped gardens also proved extremely popular by attracting many visitors. South Cumbria and North Lancashire MVT were represented by Lawrence Richardson, Keith Ball and Ian McCormack whose Jeeps attracted plenty of attention. Lawrence, Keith and Ian were busy answering questions most of the day but managed to slip away occasionally to sample some of the rest of the show – particularly the excellent food! Once again, a great show and thanks to Myerscough College for the invitation.”

Scorton Steam Fair

One of the largest gatherings of Military vehicles, and their owners, ever seen at Scorton assembled for a full weekend of socialising and general MV chat. The weather was a little unpredictable but we kept mainly dry. The rain however did stop some of the arena events taking place. There are more Land Rovers now appearing at the events we attend with three 110s and a couple of Lightweights regularly appearing plus a 101 occasionally to give a bit of variety. The stranglehold of the Willys Jeep is slowly being relaxed.

Catterick Camp

Ian Coats provided a report from Catterick "Having been press-ganged by the CO of 1 Regt RMP we attended the Family Day at Ypres Lines in Gaza Barracks, the new home of the regiment after many years in Germany. We were royally treated, first with a four course mess dinner on Friday evening in the decorated MT hall, all prepared outside the MT hall in two 9x9s! On Saturday night the same small team then fed the entire regiment with a hog roast of formidable proportions, from the same 9x9s again. The Family day was well attended inside the razor wire fences and the real soldiers, as well as their children, had a great time comparing my Boys' Toys with the modern equivalents. There were two German MP liaison Majors and partners along as well and they enjoyed riding in my Jeep along the narrow lanes into Richmond where we invaded the cobbled town square, not once, but twice, to the thrall of the crowds there. It was good to see that the security around the garrison was formidable following the tragedy in Tunisia, curiously they ignored the RN Commander with his side-arm wandering around the place..... " Hmm I wonder who that was. Thanks Ian.