A record 235 vehicles had been booked in this year and additional areas of grass had been allocated to accommodate them all. WWII British vehicles could be found near the hanger; jeeps, armour and the larger US vehicles were spread out down the centre section; with British Post War occupying a large area adjacent to the Control Tower. There certainly was plenty of variety to see to please all tastes. The invited re-enactors displays were again to a very high standard with masses of equipment and weapons on show.
69th Field, our very own Artillery boys, put on their very first live firing display on both days. Two WWII 25 pounders were used to fire 5 rounds each during each display. Jonathon Catton had come up from The Garrison, at Tilbury Fort, to provide the necessary Health and Safety advice and checks, and keep the crowd informed about what was going on. Many thanks, indeed, Jonathon.
	A special thank you must go to Mike and Chris who have worked tirelessly this year to re barrel their guns, obtain the necessary licenses and be in a position to produce shell cases that can be fired. For those interested in the technicalities Terry was on hand to explain target acquisition, ranging, plotting etc with some special boards he had made. Frank and Angela from over the Lancashire border kindly supplied the mountain of ammo boxes and all the equipment in the Gun Position Officers tent.

A convoy of vehicles left the museum late afternoon on Saturday to go to the Control Tower at the ex bomber base nearby – Melbourne. Unluckily, they caught the worst of the rain.

A good selection of military collectables, kit, spares etc was available from stall holders and this area always seemed busy. The marching band on Sunday was there courtesy of Simon, it was his dad and pals.

The NAAFI was very busy both nights, disco, some live entertainment and plenty of beer being drunk. British and German re enactors for once appeared to out number the Americans in the bar, most unusual. Jimmy and Tim did the music on both evenings, with their usual music collection.

We had been promised the Lancaster for a flypast but apparently it had suffered an engine failure and was stuck abroad. We did however enjoy the Spitfire on Saturday. Battlegroup North wargamers. In the hangar provided plenty of impressive diaramas and models with the Halifax Bomber as backdrop. Their displays were surrounded by stalls selling models, books, costume, and ephemera.

Over the course of the weekend our judges were out and about making difficult decisions about prizes given the number and quality of vehicles present. However, prizewinners were announced and prizes awarded at 3.00pm on Sunday after which those with some distance to go made ready to leave.

Best in Show Melvyn Bean. AEC Matador

Best Post-War 1st Hazel Coulson Morris MRA1
2nd Peter Barratt Land Rover 101
3rd Drew Edwards Morris Minor Traveller

Best Wartime 1st Geoff Maskell Mack NM8
2nd Tim Shelcock Austin K2 Ambulance
3rd Ken Pugh White Half Track

Best Jeep Ist Roger Bailey Willys - British Airborne
2nd Pete Jeffrey Ford
3rd Phil Rhodes Ford

And on a light hearted note a piece of scrap metal was presented to Pete Cartner for the scruffiest jeep!!

The petrol filling station at Coulton on the A64 had a surprise in store later in the day. When I pulled up to refill the Bedford, the MVs on the forecourt included a Morris Quad and 25 pounder, Matador and 5.5”, Ferret, and a Land Rover. I suspect that was just the start of a steady flow as people made there way home.

All in all another very successful show, good atmosphere and everyone I spoke to seemed to be really enjoying themselves. Our grateful thanks to all the Committee members who put in so much effort, both behind the scenes and very visibly over the 3 days, to make sure everything went smoothly. A very well done.