INTRODUCTION - JUNE 2008
This month we have some great shows coming up. At the end of this month we have the Castle Heddingham show in a great location within the castle grounds and both the Long Melford and Maldon Museum of Power shows on the same weekend. The Long Melford show is in its second year after previously being held at Gosfield; I heard great reports of last year’s event, a great setting and recommended. The event encompasses many different aspects of rural life and is a great country show.

The Museum of Power is, I believe, is in it’s forth year and becoming established as a fine military orientated show and again in a great location and the museum is good too. There is usually a great turnout of vehicles and displays and again highly recommended.

The Ridgwell Show is now established in its new location moving there from Earls Colne and started as a Vintage Commercial show it now has a strong classic car and vehicle element, with entertainment on the Saturday evening and some interesting vehicles normally in attendance its well worth a visit.

DAMYNS HALL SHOW UPDATE

We have a couple of surprises for the show - we have the Star over London Airship; at 75 meters long the biggest airship in the world! The airship will be making flights during the show (advance bookings only) and will be a truly impressive sight.

We also have the TV program Scrapheap Challenge coming to film the challenge part of their show for one or two of their future episodes at the show. We are not sure what their tasks are nor who the teams are, but if you have a tank and don’t mind having some tennis balls aimed at it (as you are aware many tanks were knocked out by tennis balls in the last war) then you could be on the show!

In addition we are still taking bookings for Living History displays, stalls and vehicles. Flying- wise in addition to the Spitfire display from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight on the Saturday, a display from the Turbulent Tiger Display Team on both days, a Korean War Helicopter Flying Display as well. This is on top of the Boeing Stearman’s flying throughout the weekend and Flour Bombing. Also a YAK 52 will  be  displaying on the Sunday.
 
On the vehicle front, bookings are coming in faster than ever. This number includes some heavy armour, including Tiger Tank., from the film Private Ryan, Hellcat, Stuart, Sherman, Scorpion, SdKfz 251 German Halftrack and M8 armoured car as part of a display.

ALDHAM

As usual a great show but a bit (very) on the wet side on the Saturday, lots of military vehicles in attendance with unusually a large number of Ferrets with I think about seven of varying marks on display. There was a really nice Antar tank transporter and a couple of Scammells my favourite being a nice Pioneer Artillery Tractor. A superb Austin K2 GS in RAF markings making its first outing was a well worthy prize winner and together with a K2 Ambulance made a great pair. In all there were about 40 military vehicles in attendance. Also a special mention to Gary, Cheryl and Becky,  who’s Anderson Shelter display improves all the time and when you see them at a show they really appreciate it if you knock on the side then ask is it real? Followed on by “this looks small they were bigger in my day is this half size?” However I would suggest in the interests of safety you step back quickly after saying it and maybe duck as well!

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