The Manchester Area MVT

The photo's on this page were taken and supplied by

 Colin Nicholson

a local resident of Uppermill.

So if You would like copies please feel free to contact Me through the contants page and I will pass on the request

 Awesome!

If I had to sum up the weekend in one word that’s the word I would use.

For a show that was looking at possible re-location due to the rain and flooding on the field just a week earlier and everyone concerned watching the weather.

There were areas of the field that had to be "No Go Areas" for vehicles and public alike that was fenced off on Friday morning, by Saturday afternoon they also were usable.

The field was packed with Re-enactors, Trucks and Public both days and many had been there since Friday.

The main convoy on Sunday left promptly at noon or at least the lead vehicle did (Richard Chadwick in his "MACK")

It took nearly 7 mins. For the last vehicle to clear the field due to the amount of vehicles involved.

68 Trucks, 9 Motorbikes and 1 Combination

Every village was packed with public, Uppermill was a single file only with public 15 to 20 deep on both sides.

Dobcross, Diggle and Delph were much the same.

All the vehicles arrived at "The Carriage House" and despite Keith's doubts with a team of 3 local air cadet volunteers, myself and armed with only a whistle.

 To Keith’s amazement we parked them all.

Trophies were awarded on Sunday afternoon in categories Light/Medium, Heavy/Armoured, Motorbike, Static display and Best in show.

Judges were picked at random from members of the visiting public and owners not informed that judging was taking place.

The skirmish put on by the North West Military Collectors on Sunday afternoon was well received by all, (When will the Axis forces learn not to shoot at a half-track it just upsets the platoon that are riding in the back and that machinegun is not there for decoration!)

The question everyone was asking was

“What time was the fly-past?”

Mark Binns was asked,

 “Where would the Lancaster fly-past be?”

And with typical dry wit pointed up and answered:

“Hopefully up there somewhere as the field is a bit full and I’m running out space and mugs”

A little after 4pm in clear blue sky The Lancaster stopped the show with 3 circuits of the field and every face turned skywards.

The field started to clear around 17-00 hrs. But The Finale was yet to come!!!

As the sun was setting on what had been a very successful event.

In perfect formation appeared The RED ARROWS display team.

And I do not mean a half dozen colour blind Robin Hood’s!!