Well where to start? I guess with welcoming you to the start of our 3rd club year, before we do that there is a little bit of catching up to do.
First on the list is Devon Truck Show. We have attended this as a club since we started, so back we went again. Last year in Cornwall, due to an error of the marquee suppliers, we had a really nice, flat floor. We asked for a floor again and got it. Not the nice super flat wooden floor that we had in Cornwall but a plastic clip together one. That was a great help, but the mud wasn’t. Did I mention the Mud? There was plenty. During the latter part of the week running up to the show the heavens had well and truly opened, the showground runs down hill, and so did the water. Hence the mud. There were delays getting in, loads of trucks got stuck, and so did a couple of us. The weather then held of and we had a great weekend, we were very busy. Not so great for the trucks, many could not get in and many had to spend Friday night in their cabs in a local trading estate. The venus for next yer has moved to the airfield at Smeathorpe, which is flat!
Next came Cornwall, pretty much of a repeat for us but without the rain. Only one mishap, we bought a flag and a pole to advertise our presence. It was a bit windy at times (well a lot really) and the pole eventually said “I can’t take any no more” and broke in two. We did get a refund for it. Plan B for next time.
All that brings us to September. With Nicola and Stu on holiday we expected to be a bit busy for set up etc. A huge thanks to the people that turned up early and helped set up. Did you notice we had some gras out and a few hedges (first seen at Cornwall)? Oh and the dust on some of the track? We had planned a day to get together and wash the track off after Cornwall, unfortunately less than a few bits in and it rained. OK for cleaning but not OK for drying so we did not get very far. Apart from that all was OK. With a few other things going on (retro truck show at Gaydon etc) then we expected to be a little less busy. We have also had to raise prices for day members. As it happens we had more club membership renewals than drivers and only one junior day member.
The layout was back to the large central roundabout giving plenty of room for yards and parking. It was nice to see that people had worked on their yards during the break but some of you may have noticed that C&J transport now have their own customised turn in. What will you all think of next?
Now turning to the trucks and too many great trucks there to single any out really. A lot of recovery trucks, some new custom trucks and a couple of really nice retro trucks (from Russ the Bus I think). Too much for me to take it all in in the limited time we had.
Anyway, on to the pictures.
Don't forget that next month we will have our AGM. Members can submit questions and proposals for the offices that are up for renewal on the forms in the members section here.