WINTER GATHERING - 2008

January saw the 3rd of the relaunched Winter Gathering or Bum Freezer as it used to be known. We had a great day for it with fine sunshine and clear but cold day. Vehicles started arriving for 9 in the morning and kept on coming. In all we had 35 vehicles attend, ranging from Brian’s Matador and Jacks Scorpion tank plus a Diamond T, WOT, QL and Bedford OY representing the larger side of things,  to a Royal Enfield bike, and about 20 plus jeeps,  Austin Champs and Land Rovers who braved the weather. Tony Corbin’s recently restored Jeep looked great and drew many comments partly due to its unusual paint scheme of U S Nave Pacific Theatre Green , a rather vivid shade it has to be said, and certainly makes the vehicle stand out.

A few happy hours were spent chatting to other vehicle owners and members of the public who hade come down to have a look. The event was put out over local radio.  The supplied breakfast of bacon rolls and coffee much needed it has to be said as it entailed an early start for most participants. Particularly for the large contingent of the East Anglian Fighting Vehicle Group who came down to visit. About noon we separated into smaller groups and drove down to Glenn’s place between Maldon and Chelmsford. The vehicles on the move caused quite a stir and lots of pictures were being taken by roadside photographers, were not sure which route the Jeep contingent took but as they seemed to come from completely the wrong direction it must have been an interesting one!

Glenn had invited us to visit his very excellent period museum and put on more food and drink. It’s a very tolerant and generous person who allows 25 plus military vehicles to park on his front lawn! Glen’s museum is housed in a period building that was once the British Restaurant located in Coval Lane Chelmsford. Glenn rescued it and restored it keeping the feel of a NAFFI/Squadron readiness hut complete with Lloyd Loom Chairs, Bar and paraffin heating and lighting, it created a fantastic atmosphere and I think more than a few people went home inspired by it, much to the concern of their partners!