Buckfastleigh 2008

July 12th 13th

Celebrating

Castle Drogo September 20th/21st 2008

This year the show organization was passed over to Paul and Sue Sleep from Devon MVT, with help from Rod Hart, Mike Ford and Clive Runnalls.  It was the first year we had taken over the organization of a show for many years, but with the help of the National Trust staff and Visitor Services Manager Julie Tucker we were able to put on quite a show.

43 vehicles and 2 motorbikes turned up for the weekend with 142 exhibitors.  As has been the trend at many of shows this year there was very little in the way if 'big' stuff.  The biggest being a 1943 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton cargo and a 1940 Bedford OYD.  There were displays from the Kampgruppe Adler group, 2nd Devon's, 101st airborne, 29th division and a field hospital, aswell as many other smaller displays alongside some of the vehicles.

Saturday saw us bathed in glorious sunshine with not a cloud in the sky (certainly the best weather I have had at a show this year!!), and visitor numbers were reflected by the weather with over 1100 people in on the Saturday!!  Jon Brown gave us his weapons talk/demonstration in the morning, followed by a superb (if a little late) battle re-enactment in the afternoon.  As agreed last year we had to let the Germans win this year!  Teas and coffees with biscuits and cakes were available to all exhibitors during the morning and afternoon, and were gratefully received.  After all the public had gone home we treated everyone to a free hog roast.

Sunday saw us waking to yet more sunshine although there was a bit more cloud but still fantastic weather.  With the arrival of yet more vehicles we used the courtyard outside the castle as parking for the Sunday.  With the good weather came well over 1000 more people.  The weapons talk and battle were a big draw especially with all the explosions and falling trees!!  This year we had 2 .30 cal machine guns, the quad .50 cal AA guns, a German field gun and mortar, plus many rifles and SMGs involved in the battle aswell as many interesting pyrotechnics.

All in all it went very well, with lots of good feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike.  Overall we were up on last years visitor total by over 200, so lets hope it keeps getting better each year.  We are already looking at ideas for next years show.  All that' s left is to thank Neil Butcher and Dave Edwards for their help with the vehicle marshalling.  Mark Ford for helping to put up all the tents, Rob Miller for the use of his tents, Dave and Tina for providing us with a fantastic hog roast and everyone who took the time to bring along their vehicles and displays, without whom the show could not happen.

Paul Sleep