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MAFVA Nationals - Duxford |
Aug 10, 2003 |
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With the now regular format of holding the
MAFVA Nationals at Duxford in conjunction with the Military Vehicle Show,
we seem to have kept most participants happy. This year blazing sunshine
blessed the show and may have helped with the increase in throughput of
paying visitors, but made it hot and sticky for the exhibitors, traders
and admin. crew. With some 29 traders applying for space, we had to hire
a marquee of 180 x 40 feet which was the biggest show we have run (so far).
In our new location alongside the US Air Museum hangar we could not have
expanded much further.
The competitions were well supported with an increase in entries across
the board, and the quality was exceptional, making judging difficult. Dan
Taylor deservedly won Best of Show with his beautiful Humber Box. The full
results will appear on the MAFVA web site.
We have found that the small details reap a big reward, and the tea stall
ably run by Aud Cawley & Rita Cox, assisted by Heather Williams and
Janice Middleton was a welcome relief from the heat. Sheilagh Hanratty
and Linda ran the tombola until the prizes were exhausted and made us
a tidy sum to offset the costs. Thank you ladies and gents who assisted
in whatever way. Due to the success of the show we are able to send a
sum of money to MAFVA HQ to help keep the bank balance healthy.
We actually had a surplus of prizes due to the generosity of Steve Cox
and the Sherwood Rangers OCA (Best of Show prize), Hersants, Toyway of
Letchworth, Pocketbond of Welwyn Garden City, and especially The Hobby
Company of Leighton Buzzard, whose enormous parcel arrived 20 minutes
before I left for Duxford on the Friday. A big thanks you to them all.
From the brief chat I had with traders after the show, most seemed quite
happy with the day, not always from big sales, but from the atmosphere
of the show, which allowed ‘networking’ amongst modellers and
fellow traders alike. I must emphasise the point, that the attendance
of so many traders is dependant on their sales, they cannot afford the
expense of attending without this, so try to organise your shopping to
occur at the MAFVA Nationals, and they will continue to attend. A big
thanks you to all the traders for supporting us so well.
Of course the Nationals would not happen at Duxford without the invitation
of the Imperial War Museum Staff & the active co-operation of Lizzy
Dickinson (Events Co-ordinator), Jack Livesey (our tame Mafiosi and part
time radio presenter), the fire team who lent us extinguishers and of
course Brian Harris and his team of volunteers from the DAS MT section
who stage the vehicle show. Thank you one and all.
We are most grateful to the MAFVA branches, other clubs and individuals
that put on such wonderful displays, and hope they will be able to attend
next year.
Finally, this show would not have run so smoothly without the active
co-operation, patience and stamina of the Cambridge Branch and friends
who provided the backbone of required labour. Bob Lockie who masterminded
the competitions, Steve Schwab who looks after the finances , Chief Judge
John Ham and Mike Whitty who acts as my ‘gofer’ (and reminds
me to eat!) are but a part of the merry band who happily carry out the
work needed to make the show a success. A big thanks to them all.
Next years show will definitely be at Duxford in August with the Military
Vehicle Show, watch this space and the web site for confirmation and news.
And book your holidays away from the early part of August !
For more information, please visit the MAFVA website.
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