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At the end of a line up of mainly Matchless bikes Jeff Bean had brought along his recently completed Norton 16H. Now in absolutely superb condition it bore no resemblance whatsoever to the rusty, but reasonably complete, wreck that had lain abandoned in a friends barn for over 50 years.
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I couldn’t resist a chat with a new group sat enjoying a very civilised morning coffee. I was to learn that Lee Gregory aka Oberleutnant Kurt Von Hauser, Andy Jarvis, aka Hauptmann Eric Vogel, and Jim Plimmer acting as Steward Jacob Plummer have over 90 years re enacting experience between them. They have formed a German WW1 Air Service group called ‘Blue Max’ after the award. This award was for downing 8 allied aircraft initially, but was increased a number of times during the war until it stood at approximately 30 by 1918. They told me that they would normally set up a full dining table with best china and silver candelabra but high winds off the airfield prevented it. I was invited to stay with them for what turned out to be the best cup of coffee I have tasted in years served up by Jim in best china whilst I remained seated on a fully upholstered period dining chair. These boys certainly know how to do it, and with a professional chef amongst them they tell me they eat extremely well too. |
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It was hardly the weather for shorts at times, but braving the elements in typical 8th Army kit were show regulars Sgt Chris Ingamells and Cpr Martin Beasley from the North East representing the 4th Indian Division.
Drifting around the stalls I was drawn to three very smart ladies browsing period fashion and rudely interrupted their shopping for a photo. The three in question were Liz Russell in USN uniform with daughter Hannah in khaki ATS and in USMC Helen Robertson whose daughter was our ‘Princess Elizabeth’ last
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Talking of stalls, Dave Reape our stalls organiser told me numbers were up on last year and we had plenty of space for them to set up. On offer was quite a variety from batteries, tools, collectables, uniforms, models and vehicles so I suspect a lot of you didn’t go home empty handed. |
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| A number of us dined out in a local pub on Friday and just as food was arriving from the kitchen we were treated to a power failure and so experienced true blackout dining by candle light. Fortunately the hand pulled beer kept flowing but the pub was still in darkness as we left. Saturday night was a completely different experience in the packed NAAFI building. What a brilliant atmosphere as the more energetic danced the night away to non stop, and if I may say so, an outstanding choice of music from Jimmy on the disco. Colourful Hawaiian shirts clashed with sombre battledress and smart walking out dress yet the whole thing gelled superbly. Nick Dunsford won Best Hawaiian shirt as well as picking up Best in Show prize for his 80” Land Rover next day. Sunday afternoon saw heavy rain set in and Brian quite rightly chose to distribute prizes in a jeep driven by Simon. These were awarded to: |
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| Best in Show. Land Rover Series 1 80”, 914 UKW, Nick Dunsford.
Rover Mk 2 bought as rebuild project back in 1996 and restored the first time as civilian spec Landrover returning to the road in 2004. Inspired to return it to military specification in 2009 he carried out body off rebuild 2010 and has spent the last three years slowly finding all the military fittings which he removed when restoring it the first time! The insignia are of an RAOC unit with 20 Infantry Workshops attached to 24 Infantry Brigade his dads old military unit.
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| Best Wartime. Austin K6 Gantry Truck, WFF 488, Trevor Griffiths 2nd White Half Track, 813 YUJ, Malcolm Dawson 3rd GMC CCKW, FSL 194, Stuart Kinroy |
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Best Post War. Alvis Stalwart, XFF 293, Nic Clay 2nd Reo M35 A2, 832 UXH, Dale Shipley 3rd Supacat P1, WMK, Paul Sykes |
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Best Jeep. Hotchkiss ‘Follow Me’, OAS 414, Henry Lisowski 2nd Airborne Jeep 3rd Willys M38A1, 934 XUF, Mike Scorer |
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Best Motorcycle. Harley Davidson, 788 YUG, Tim Benton 2nd Matchless G3L, YNE 142, Andrew Stead 3rd no award |
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Any show is what you want to make it and I am pleased to say that folks from across the North gel well to put on a great display whilst having a good time and it is their enthusiasm for the hobby that make the show. Last, but by no means least, many thanks must go to our team of marshals who effectively give up their weekend’s enjoyment to run the show. So our very grateful thanks must go to Brian, Simon Roberts, Dave Reape, and Gary Docherty, assisted by Cliff Roberts, ‘Dave Buncher’ Helen Gray, Steve Jones, and Ryan Bray. Well done.
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Report and photos Mike Humphreys Yorkshire MVT Press Officer michael.humphreys@btinternet.com If you want a copy of any of my photographs just e mail me |
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