Tilbury Fort 24-26th August 2002

For those that know Essex just enough, Tilbury doesn't sound like one of the most likely places to hold a military vehicle rally. However, the Essex branch of the MVT know Essex rather better, and know a good thing when they see one - in this case it isn't the view.

"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a King, and a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm..."
Queen Elizabeth I, Tilbury Fort 1588

"I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman... but I have the stomach of a concrete elephant."
Queen Elizabeth I, Blackadder II, 1986

"Has anyone seen my slippers?"
John Butcher, Tilbury Fort 2002

Now dwarfed by Tilbury Power Station to the east and the docks to the west, Tilbury Fort dates from 1539; English Heritage are now just getting round to looking at the roof. The majority of the MVT event takes place within the Fort's enclosure, but EMLRA and the WWII Re-enactment brigade were banished to the rear and the Island respectively, probably because we're both pretty damned good at what we do - although this could be something to do with the fact that this is the only space big enough for us and we'd be very squashed if placed inside.

The cast kept changing throughout the three days, but the EMLRA did get up to fourteen vehicles at one point and didn't drop to under ten until Monday lunchtime, making it the largest display EMLRA have staged at Tilbury, and possibly the largest display at the whole event. EMLRA does seem to be getting a certain reputation with this habit - MVT organise a show, EMLRA hog it. No wonder we're kept out the back! 

Regular readers may recall George from last year. He managed to avoid us spoiling his commentary this year. Instead, the arena MC was El Presedente Dave Simpkins with a sweaty handful of hurriedly written notes, inflated blood pressure and a host of unhelpful suggestions. Most of the suggestions came from EMLRA members, but one or two appeared to be coming from the MVT Organisers standing behind him (Colin Tebb can be seen sucking his water bottle). I think the gist of their suggestions can be summed up as "Do you want to take over from George?". George, it must be remembered, is able to talk about any vehicle placed in front of him in detail, at length, in any weather. Dave reminded everyone just how hard this commentary lark is, particularly when all the vehicles in your display fail to turn up in the arena after you've already started your commentary due to a locked gate getting in the way. I didn't see Dave's performance myself, being the wrong side of the gate, but I'm assured is was "memorable"!

George admitted last year that he's a Jeep man, but likes the Lightweight because "it looks like a Jeep". Dave, on the other hand, was having none of this, and set about educating the amassed masses that Land Rovers come it all shapes, sizes and ages and not one of them claims to have been on Omaha Beach next to Gen. Patton.

Unlike last year, the rain confined itself mainly to night which meant EMLRA were able to engage the public by way of various demonstrations - Rex Hunt would attempt to stunt the growth of small children by dropping a manpack radio on their back, and then Mark Buddle would attempt to instigate Contact Dermatitis by applying black and green face paint. All in a good cause, obviously.

Richard Lock being "advised" on how to clean RAF Ambulances by Mike Allmey
(who is determined not to suffer from this shiny RAF paint problem alone!)

Barbara, Chris, Liz and Dave scatter at the sight of the camera -
but Dave still hasn't noticed that the front of his 110 has been modified...

The Saturday arena lineup

The WWII Re-enactment team and their 25-pounder

John Butcher laying claim to things that aren't his...

... while Rob Short has things we wished he hadn't.

We won another award you know!
(Dave and Liz Simpkins, Owen Wood, Mark Buddle)