HOLLOWELL HEAVY HORSE AND STEAM 2008

Have you ever wondered what forces are at work encouraging us human beings to do things? I think several of us wondered why we had decided to sit in a very wet field under a gazebo which was being blown about so much that rain was coming in under the roof and splashing down on us when we could have been sitting at home watching Lewis Hamilton win the British Grand Prix! However, we are made of stern stuff and didn’t let a little bit of rain spoil our enjoyment of the Hollowell show.

Luckily Saturday had been a reasonable day despite the torrential downpour we had had to drive through on the way there. Most of the members visited the large auction, some succumbing to the charms of second hand strimmers and other delectable items which ranged from boxes of china mugs up to a trailer tent. Unfortunately this year’s stand was an unusual shape and on quite a steep slope but a display of cars was arranged along with the two MVPS flags which managed to withstand everything the elements threw at them. There were the usual displays of heavy horse, steam traction engines, motorcycle stunt riding plus a ‘dancing digger’ performing unusual feats with the various arms, buckets, stabilisers provided by JCB for less athletic use. With stalls aplenty from sweets, fruit, china, models, antiques, clothing there was something for everyone and lots of entertainment dotted around the field including school bands, magicians, stilt walkers, a python and many slightly more cuddly animals that could be enjoyed.

Some of our members stay overnight at a pub in Welford whereas a group of us make use of a Caravan Club CL site on the edge of West Haddon where we can escape the showground and provide our own entertainment for the evening. This year we all sat under our awning playing Trivial Pursuit which was enlivened by Debbie and Mags partaking of half a bottle of 12% wine each (which they reckoned meant they had only had 6%!!!). It certainly made for some very interesting answers but not half as interesting as the questions read out by Phil who had not been drinking! We really think he needs to get his eyes tested before we play again!

BIRDINGBURY 2008
I can honestly say that our members did us proud at this year’s Birdingbury Festival with numerous volunteers turning up on Thursday evening to help put in posts, put up bunting, erect the marquee and just generally make them selves useful. In no time at all we were set for what turned out to be an excellent weekend with only the odd shower on the Saturday which didn’t seem to deter anyone from enjoying the show.

The range of cars provided proved to be a great draw for the visiting public and, despite being in a corner surrounded by Morris Minors, PT Cruisers and Stags, we were rarely without people enjoying what the Society has to offer. I hope everyone agrees with me that the two MVPS flags were well worth the money making the stand clearly visible and inviting.

Once again we had a fish and chip supper on Friday evening and the BBQ was well used on Saturday evening. Some of us even had an al fresco meal on Sunday evening after everything had been packed away, sharing all the odds and ends of food we had left and just generally unwinding after all the weekend’s activity.

This had, of course, included the Sunday morning driving test, once again organised by Ken, and proving very popular with several members mixing and matching both partners and vehicles. A mini from another club very nearly stole everyone’s thunder by racing round the course in record time – what a good job he had to be awarded penalty points for knocking down two cones! Our congratulations go to Jason and Debbie Wilkinson for their excellent time, winning Debbie the trophy for the second year running!

In the afternoon, thanks to Colin and Chris Dalton’s kind loan of the Land Rover, we were able to run a driving test for the children, of whom there were more than we have had for many years with seven on Saturday and six on Sunday. And there is nothing like starting members young as we had three month old Joe, the Statham’s newest grandchild, with us on Saturday. All the children love the Land Rover and managed to negotiate a slalom course between cones with ease.


The weather on Sunday was superb and allowed everyone to enjoy themselves without fear of a drenching and ensured that the taking down of the stand was every bit as enjoyable as the putting up. Once again many hands made light work and the club trailer was soon packed high ready to take back to the garage. Getting off site meant a somewhat bumpy journey across the ruts made by the military vehicles situated at the top of the field but Ken and I arrived home tired and happy that the show had been such a success as we understand cars were parked right the way to Leamington Hastings and almost to Marton they had so many visitors.

So to everyone who exhibited their vehicles and everyone who helped set up and take down the stand a huge thank you! It proves just what a lovely Society MVPS is so give your selves a pat on the back.