SHOW REPORT
FALKLANDS WAR COMMEMORATION WEEKEND, SUNDERLAND
01 - 03 JUNE 2012
DAY 1:
Shaz and Steve, set off, short handed due to exam and work commitments of many of the crew,
in the M type & Arrows trailer, arriving just before 10:00hrs.
Hutch arrived just in time for the trailer to be unloaded. The "tatty field" was erected, without too many dramas, and then the ops tent
was put up. With tunes on, it was time for a brew and some scoff. Reinforcements soon arrived and the rest of the display was set up.
Hutch sorted his bivvies for his crew, Graham and Ruth arriving later, and cammed up, by flinging a couple of "Dougals" over them.
Other kit was moved into place, and then we settled back to await Rob's clan. Shaz was putting the finishing touches to the
Field Hospital, while we set up the "secret weapon" and disco lights.
Rob rocked up, with the family, and sorted his 9x9's out, while the "Super-Q" was fired up. The workshop tent went up and the Bombardier wheeled in, as
Steve and Paul sighted the Mobat. Robs kit sorted, the Puchara was towed into place by Rob's landy, then the Jamcat and associated gear
was set up, and the Gazelle was rolled into position.
Meat was on the "Super Q". Tins were opened and the fun began....Fliss (hence forth to be know as "Tatty Girl"), should
learn not to make sarky comments, especially, when a pan full of spuds are withing easy reach. Suffice it to say - She is probably, still
finding them about her person.....Round 1 to Rob..............End of day one.
DAY 2:
Troops were fed and watered by 08:00hrs, and the rest of the kit was sorted out, ready for the gates opening. The sky
grey and threatening rain, as the punters started to arrive. The museum had decided to set up a shooting range, and the Air Cadets were
busy filling mountains of sand bags....Rather them than us!
The weather was crap, after all, it is the far North, but the punters still kept coming, Gareth from the "Veterans At Ease" PTSD charity was brave enough to don the webbing and bergen, which got the ball rolling, until close of play.
Fliss, having failed to learn the lesson of the previous evening, assaulted Rob with a riot shield, promptly disarmed...she remained
pinned against a rover while Rob continued to drink his beer.
Close of play, the Super Q was fired up again, meat was sizziling, and the tins were opened.
A bonfire was started in the Super Q, and the party started, other exhibitors joined in the frivolity, songs were sung and the crack
continued into the small hours.
Dawn was seen in by a chorus of "Morning has broken"...... a great night's entertainment.
DAY 3:
Hangovers were the order of the day, but soon put aside, as memorial tributes were laid to the fallen of the Falklands
Campaign.
Visitors came and went, the weather had cleared up, but the occaisional shower, interuppted an otherwise good day.
Some of the kit was loaded up, as Rob and crew, had places to go, people to see, but the rest remained for the Monday.
Rob, Fliss and the gang set off for God's country (Yorkshire, for the heathens out there), and a quiet night was had by the remainder.
Day 4:
More visitors than expected, and they had a good mooch around. The bonus, was the sun. The kit soon dried out, and was packed away.
The Puchara and other museum kit was towed back into it's proper home by the MJ, and then lots of help was forthcoming from the
Museum staff, making the take down less stressful.
Goodbyes were said, and we set off for home.
Another great weekend, and again, despite the weather,a special thanks to Paul, Sue, Thomas, Anna and the rest of the
Museum staff, for a great event, with fantastic hospitality!