Saturday 30th april - Sunday 1st May
Page 4
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A week or so before the show we were a little concerned
that we were going to be somewhat 'lite' on the stand.
As it turned out, our members all made a smashing effort
and turned out in force to support our club. We had the most
interesting and comprehensive display I can remember seeing
during my five odd years of touring around the various shows.
With our range of vehicles, display, layout, field cinema
and special (put together for this show) celebration of the
Joint Services West East Sahara Expedition, featuring the
original powered trailer and Barry Doughty, an original
team member, we were confident of at least a mention, and
at best, were were working toward getting the Christopher Savidge
award for Best Club Display. I particularly wanted this
award as Chris was our President and would have been working full
steam had he still been alive, to make this our special year to celebrate
the anniversary. I felt our members really deserved it, or at least
some mention. I also wanted to see us get the award as this is
quite likely to be my last year touring around the shows and wanted to
leave on a high note...
Sadly, as we all mustered in the arena, we didn't get
a mention, not a word, not even a comment about the expedition...
Much talk of the 'tug-o-war' and more than ample
tannoy discussion on how good the Space Hopper race was...
Nope, we stood there and listened to every other club get
some kind of mention, then watched the award going to...
... the Series One Club
(Outstanding Display)
I rather thought that the organisers didn't even know our club was there
and if they did, weren't bothered that so many of our members had worked so
hard to put on a good show display. In effect, I felt they'd snubbed us.
Other contenders for the award?
(Rebel Replicas will no doubt get it next year)
In my mind, we DID have the best display.
Alasdair had worked hard to pull things together
and our members turned out in force to make it work.
I was so proud to see what they achieved, a true and
fitting tribute to Chris and our club. I salute you all!
Apart from having my nose put out of joint by the award,
there were a number of other issues with the organisation of
this show. Upon returning from the Cavalcade we'd been
told to 'go around again' and muster on the club stand. Sadly,
nobody had told the marshals this, and some degree of chaos followed.
The club contact details as listed in the program were wrong, and they
also had some incorrect information listed about Grumble.
I know this will all sound like sour grapes, and there's probably an
element of that in there, however, this has always been our favourite
show and a good way to start the show season. Originally willed
into life by our late Club President, Christopher Savidge, I have an emotional
connection with this show. I feel, however, that its life is limited.
A little fed-up, we decided to stay over the Sunday night,
we formed a little encampment around the indoor swimming pool
emptied the fridge onto the BBQ and drank our wine...
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