The 10.30am meet at Tadcaster proved very popular and quite an impressive line up took part in the convoy into York. Duncan Simpson took photographs of the convoy and at the Castle. Visit http://rides.webshots.com/album/571209004zzBemM

Benny de Maeyer, from Belgium, was en route from Blackpool to Hull in his newly acquired Dodge WC 62 and stopped off to take part. The website for his group is www.vmmv.tk.

Two new additions both in post war gloss were on show. Simon Daymond brought his 1953 AEC Militant Artillery Tractor, whilst Hazel Coulson arrived in a 1952 Morris Commercial MRA1 which she has just restored.

Tony Pailing’s  DAF 66YA was on display with 2 others, all in excellent condition in a rare grouping.  They were dwarfed by the 3 superb Reo’s parked alongside. John’s Series III Land Rover, in unmistakable Berlin Urban Camouflage, added a splash of colour.

A record 235 vehicles of all ages were booked in for our 4^th Annual Show at excellent Elvington Air Museum’s excellent venue. This was another great weekend for what must now be the largest show in the North. We were lucky to enjoy a BBMF Spitfire flypast after the Lancaster had an engine failure in Europe. 

Trade stalls, a busy NAAFI and bar, war gaming, re enactors, a marching band, large scale model tank displays, a Saturday convoy, highlight what we have on offer. The full report with lots of photos is on our website, and a shorter version elsewhere in this issue.

They sailed from Portsmouth and en route Stuart Kinroy’s trolley ‘ambulance’ lost a wheel, but was fixed. Chris’s clutch went on his jeep, his trailer blew a tyre and later he split his petrol tank whilst off roading! They all had a great time despite 4 cheese/ham sandwiches and 4 teas costing £41! 

What glorious allies!! Phil and Andy Gray had a week with Ken Pugh with his Halftrack, Diamond T, Dodge, and Jeep. Ivor, Sue, James and Brandon travelled in the Humber and Dodge to enjoy a civilised week in a Gite at La Bouffey. Ivor said that the ferry on their crossing was quite a sight and must have had some 300 MV’s on board. They toured all the coastal sights inc. the Maisy Battery and the Museum of Rust.

Simon Roberts, John Gray, Dennis Smith, Cliff Roberts, Terry and Chris Till took 3 Jeeps with some of them stopping off to visit the Bovington Tank Museum en route. John and Simon took part in the Brothers in Arms march. Sadly, Graham Golder’s trip was marred by temporary hospitalisation but he is ok now.

Mike Peacock joined the Garrison, camping at Ver-sur-Mer. His Quad was requested at the last minute and used to take part in a convoy of the Garrison’s 25 pounders to a site near Tilly. It was here that 25 pounders were first in action after D-Day. 

Mick and Craig Edmondson along with Colin Dixon went over with 3 Matchless WDG3Ls and accompanied the guns as outriders. They also escorted French vehicles at Montgomery –Coleville and again to Douvres. They were proud to take part in the run from Ver-sur Mer with 142 bikes in total and enter the Guinness Book of records. Colin says the sight on the Beach at Arromanches on the 6^th was one never to be forgotten. If you took part why not send in some words about the experience together with your best photos to our Webmaster Stephen Carr.

Mike Humphreys

Footnote. 27 8 2009. A photograph of Arromanches beach taken by Ivor Waterhouse was sent with report but not published. This may be because the one on the rear cover is virtually identical. Anyway it is shown here