Aldham 07

Although the show was the 30th Anniversary of the Aldham Show, it was actually held at White Colne in Chalkney Woods and it is a fine setting for the vintage tractors, traction engines, trucks and us military types.

We (I mean Gareth) didn’t actually book us in ‘officially’ and at the last minute decided we should attend - as it is regarded as an EAFVG ‘must’ and Eddie said we could sneak in on Friday night! Thanks Eddie, and hope it didn’t get you into too much trouble?

We took Heidi and Grizzelda (Laro and Guzzi) as Uni the unimog is getting a facelift, and bedded down for the night in Heidi and as usual had a wonderful sleep out in the woods. It’s nice to feel safe for a change, ‘cos we’re usually out in the sticks in some foreign climes with her and you are never sure who or what you are going to wake up to surrounding the vehicle.

Saturday saw fine weather and good crowds with a healthy interest in the militaries. Eddie had a fine display with many Champs, jeeps, Landrovers, various ambulances and mid-sized greenies, tanks and Antars! They certainly looked well-placed on the banks under the canopy of trees. We espied two young nippers hanging in the greenery after Andy finished his child minding responsibilities for the day, we thought them natives to this part of Essex until their dad came and plucked them out of the trees after at least half an hour (slight exaggeration here, but who the heck is going to know or argue?)

The obligatory auction took place and everyone enjoys the peops spending their cash on rusty nails/bolts, chick feeders and foreign delivery trikes. Me - I just had a preview and knew that I must keep away from the bidding as I might have been one of the lucky/unlucky bidders that walked away with that ‘special’ box of toot!

We had a good look round the different classes of vehicles and enjoyed every minute of the weekend - even the tractors and stationary engines got a glance as we pranced through the meadow grass, freshly cut and smelling sweet for the show.

Everyone had a chance to show their fine vehicles off by driving round the show ring at the designated time and there was quite an audience, but about four times as many spectated on the Sunday! Sunday is when the show really hots up and takes on the aura of an ‘Olde Tyme Rallye’ as it is named. Visitors or the ordinary Joe Blogg may think that all the work we put in to our hobbies is a bit OTT but where would all these fine vehicles end up if not taken on as a private ventures with personal expenditure? I think most owners of the bigger vehicles deserve a pat on the back for it. Gareth and I own three modest sized vehicles and would own more if we had the time, space and I suppose money to keep more. It does become addictive, owning a ‘collection’

Roll on next year - as this one was nearly too enjoyable!!!!

See you all there next year then????

Lorraine