Winter Gathering

WINTER GATHERING - 2011

Demonstrating that we are all recovered from the Christmas and New Year festivities, the attendance at the 2011 Winter Gathering or locally known as the “Bum Freezer” in Heybridge Basin Maldon on the 16th Jan was fantastic. With fifty vehicles in attendance and  unusually for this time of the year there were several “heavies”,  with a brace of Rio’s and QL’s. It was great to see a QL Radio truck in the area again which has recently moved into the area from the Isle of Wight and is a very nice example. In addition to the vehicles there were a couple of displays, one of Vietnam era equipment and another of MTB 102 currently based in Lowestoft. The free coffee and Bacon Sandwiches are always an incentive for going!

The event, started by Colin Brooks has been on-going for probably twenty years now at various different locations, but since returning to very near its original location it seems to have taken off again in popularity. The event is now managed by Shaun Morgan who does a fantastic job and his efforts are greatly appreciated.



The Mill Beach Pub which now hosts the event, pulled out all the stops, went back in time and reinvented itself as  a wartime French Bar which looked very effective. With this and the 40’s Jive displays the place had a great atmosphere. This year’s event supported Help for Heroes and a substantial sum was collected on the Charity’s behalf.

There was a lot of public interest with 2000 people attending according to the local papers who featured the event heavily in their editions. Also visiting, for the second time, was John Whitingale the local MP and chairman of the Arts and Sports Committee. John arrived in a WW2 Jeep and took a keen interest in the activities.


The vehicles in attendance included several Austin Champs, two nicely turned out Rio’s, a couple of staff cars, on the armoured side a Scorpion Tank and Ferret, several Jeeps including a very nice radio equipped version which was part of the Combined Services Museum display and a USAF variant in chequerboard “follow me” colour scheme.