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And so to Beltring for the War & Peace Show – the speedy
frog squad myself – Jerry, the wife—Sue—and one small dog (a
Border Terrier of twelve months called Hardy) set forth. Our journey from Poole
in Dorset was the first serious run for our FFR Lightweight 73 FM 38. This shakedown
run showed up only one loose screw apart from the driver and that was on the driver’s
sunglasses. A great relief after many a winter evening spent on the restoration
project. We were chased up the motorways by Ian, the last member of our team who
had spent countless evenings in my workshop at home helping me with the work on
the Land Rover. His help had been invaluable, without it fitting the new loom
may never have been completed. This was our first visit to the War & Peace
Show and we were very impressed by the cool efficiency as we arrived and were
processed by the team at the check-in area, especially as Ian’s car showed
an outside temperature of ???. The show was everything that the advertising had
promised and other members had told us. We had been told it was big, but that
word just isn’t enough to convey the size, diversity and activity of the
whole event. For me the trade area was like heaven. An amazing array of trade
stands selling everything from buttons to an Abbot Self Propelled Gun! A few purchases
were of course made during our visit (it’s got to be done hasn’t it).
We arrived at the EMLRA Living History ‘camp’ to finally meet Rex
Hunt in person, but we decided to stay anyway. As we started to unload Colin magically
produced a cup of tea for us, most welcome.
EMLRA were allocated a smaller site in the Living History Section than originally stated, and as compensation was given a second area in the adjoining field. This was not what Rex had anticipated but this did not prevent every one from putting on a very good display. The vehicles present covered the whole spectre of the club and we were very impressed with the standard of turn out. SNAFU COMMS were very slick with an interesting array of communications related equipment with a lot of very strange beeps and other sounds coming from their direction. We did our humble best with the Lightweight FFR, radio mast and a small display of weapons, NBC protective gear and personal kit. Sue, my wife, was very taken with “the boys with the big guns” (MOBATS to you and I) and felt that the Shorland would be the ideal vehicle for her to use around the Dorset area during the height of the Grockel Season, no problems with those otherwise annoying little dings and bumps while parking and pretty much thief and vandal proof. I myself was more taken by the selection of 101s, and, after spending a lot of time giving them each a thorough coat of looking at, I decided I must have one. Each day the lineup of vehicles in our area changed as new arrivals took the place of those who had to leave early. All in all an interesting display that came over to the visiting public as a hands-on area among so many exhibits that displayed large Keep Out, or Do Not Touch signs. In some cases the camps were surrounded by prickly wire and guards were posted at most times! If you’re a member of their club it best to pay your subs on time or you could find your self on a double stag (guard duty). Most evening saw people gathering round, showing the purchases of the day, swapping stories, enjoying a beer or two and generally having a thoroughly good time. There were impromptu gatherings throughout the days with subjects so diverse as “Where has the guts of that radio set’s power pack gone?”, the army-style method of lacing boots and “Watch out, Owen’s bought another gun”. At this point I must mention that during the course of the show we were informed of a great deal of underhand planning and plotting by some of the EMLRA members. Whole families were seen whispering among themselves while shooting furtive glances. As it transpires, they were working out kidnap plans and a care rota!! The subject of all this skulduggery, our little dog Hardy, was blissfully unaware and just continued to wag his tail and give his enthusiastic greeting to everyone, while remaining totally unfazed by the frequent blast of ordinance and the tanks rumbling along the track at the back of our tent, a mere seven feet away from where he was snoozing.
Friday night saw the Club members get together for a BBQ. A stroke of genius saw Owen’s newly-acquired MOBAT ground anchor turned into a BBQ stand. With supplies organised by the Butcher family every one enjoyed a good evening of chat, food and the odd glass of something, and for us a time of being able to put the names to the faces. [And then wishing you hadn’t?] Each day of bright sunshine and soaring temperatures saw different displays in the arenas with all the various military vehicles, re-enactors etc doing their stuff to the delight of the audience. One moment of disaster when the obligatory car crushing was undertaken by a tank, but the car fought back and jammed a bit of itself in the tracks causing the tank to become seriously immobilised and the owner to have a sinking feeling around the wallet area. The off-road course supplied the ideal playground for those who like to put their vehicles through their paces, with just the right amount of mud, humps and hollows. The gent with the Stalwart found it a little more testing than some, as he had the misfortune of bringing his vehicle to rest on its side and needing the services of the heavy recovery boys. We expected to meet enthusiasts at this show but even I was taken aback by the keenness of one Dutch Lad we talked to who was willing to let Sue take a photo of his tattoo!! He had a picture of his Lightweight on his leg. Our last and abiding memory will be being woken at 6 am Sunday morning by voices outside our tent. There was obviously some sort of problem so I sent the wife to sort it out. Because she’s good at that sort of thing. A worried first aider was escorting a gentleman round the club enclosure. Sue asked what was the problem and was informed that the young gentleman appeared to be a bit the worse for wear after falling into the company of some overly hospitable Polish gents the night before. They had apparently plied him with their native tipple - Polish spirit, and somehow he had been found wandering around at this ungodly hour looking for his vehicle. The first aider questioned the young gentleman and after establishing that he was in fact the owner of a Land Rover attempted to identify the correct one by asking “Your Land Rover mate, what colour is it?” I think they’re both still there. We would like to say a huge thank you to Rex, Colin, and all the other members who made the show such an enjoyable occasion for us. We look forward to seeing you all again. Jerry Bland A NOTE FROM IAN Well, why not I thought, I know almost nothing about military vehicles, but it should be a laugh, and it was. I don’t know how many Land Rovers, military lorries, tanks and “other stuff” were on display, but the sheer size was mind blowing. Seeing some of these vehicles in action instead of the usual static display was one of the best bits for me. I knew that tanks could move quickly, but to actually see just how quick was quite amazing. The “military oddities” (this is the show's phrase, not mine) were also interesting. How inventive man can be when needs must! My favourite was the French (I think) “bridging thing”. If you were there you’ll know what I mean, big wasn’t it, and if you weren’t, well you'll have to go next year and hope it’s there again! Some people criticise the show for glorifying the wars and conflicts that forced the development of these machines, but if they took the time to come along and enjoy the atmosphere they would soon realise that this couldn’t be further from the truth. No one wants or likes war, but it happens, it’s part of our history and it’s made us what we are today. Many of the inventions that were developed because of war are now part of our daily lives, and having attended the show I think that warfare was probably the furthest thought in most peoples’ minds. Having a good time and a bit of fun was the aim of day. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and hope to go again another year, if I’m asked! Ian Ollett
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