Smithy

Finally, some of the larger items on display: The QL which I hadn't seen before. More pictures of the show can be found here: http://s287.photobucket.com/user/Smithy629/library/Smallwood%20Vintage%20Rally%202013 Scott

Now for some of the medium sized vehicles: Scott

Evening all, bit late putting this online but it's been a busy week so far with one thing and another. Anyhow, last weekend I managed to get up to Smallwood Vintage Rally for one day. The weather was great and it was good to see some different vehicles on show, obviously delighted to see a Gipsy that I hadn't seen in the flesh before whilst a Bedford QL was also new to me. Anyway on with the pictures, starting with some of the smaller stuff: Scott

Would tie in with the AEC Rally taking place at Newark over the weekend.

Excellent, look forward to seeing it in the flesh. Scott

Looking good Barry. Ready for Overlord at the weekend? Scott

Noticed your face and an article in the Express & Star this evening Phil :-D Just wondering as it's an MVT Event do members get in free upon the showing of Membership Card or not? I hope to be across at some point over the weekend regardless. Scott

Jeez I was hoping that wouldn't be the case as its a shame if its open to all weathers. Scott

Just wondering, I'm guessing that the Mack doesn't sit outside of the museum and was brought to the event by someone? Scott

Not something you'd want to happen to you if you owned one of these: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324230/Drinkers-rocked-runaway-vintage-steam-roller-smashes-Dorset-pub.html However it perhaps highlights the dangers of owning historic vehicles with the general public seemingly unaware that they can't stop or move as quickly as modern day cars!

Nice pictures, thanks for sharing. Couldn't make it this year but wondered how the layout was going to differ and I can now see how it did. Scott

They certainly provide a number of roles still, there is one on Circus Mondao and I spotted two working on a farm in Wiltshire on the way to the Great Dorset Steam Fair the other year but couldn't stop to take a picture.

As has already been pointed out on the thread there was one for sale last year, which later re-appeared on eBay following the sale. Don't know if this one got saved, but hopefully it did. A quick search online and you can find pictures of the following Billy Smarts Mack's http://www.flickr.com/photos/29080235@N08/7139732323/ Whilst there was one also on this HMVF thread: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?7998-Hunt-s-Yard-photos Also on a Fairground and Circus Forum I go on it mentions that there was a feature on the Billy Smarts Mack Trucks in the January 2012 issue of Heritage Commercials. As for numbers can really help on that front. Scott

And some of the smaller vehicles: Scott

After a couple of years away we decided to make a visit to Rushden for the annual cavalcade. The weather was fantastic and crowds were large, although I felt that there were a few less vehicles than from my last visit back in 2010. Below are some pictures which I took from the event of the larger bits of kit:

Excellent, I look forward to seeing it at all three events. Scott

Thanks for posting the pictures up Mark. I went to Rushden on the Monday (will post some pics later) might give Llandudno a try next year (although I've been saying this for years now ). Scott

Fantastic work. Where will we be seeing here out and about over the summer then? Scott

Thanks for that. Scott

Sorry, having read the article again it turns out that although the Crossley's were indeed sold they never actually went to Portsmouth as the new owners didn't think they would be viable projects. So they stayed in Peter Naylor's Lincolnshire farm at Helpston as far as I can work out. As I said earlier the DVLA apparently still lists the Crossley, CFL 994, as having current road tax. Scott

Can you say whereabouts in Staffordshire Rob? Scott

Some amazing and as you say quite sobering footage in that montage.

I think they were brought more for the company (Corralls) from what I could make out. However they were brought out and the gentleman who had written in didn't know if they had survived. The editor responded though saying that one of the vehicles in question, CFL 994, was still listed by the DVLA as surviving.

Hi James, have managed to look back through the magazines and it was a gentleman by the name of Robin Davies who purchased three of these from a Peter Naylor in Helpston, Lincolnshire for Corralls before transporting them back to Portsmouth. So that clears up that one! It was mentioned in Classic and Vintage Commercials and had some good pictures of the Crossley's if anyone had missed it. Scott

Was waiting for this to come on the BBC News channel the other day whilst in the gym (not a particular favourite of mine whilst I'm in there but it takes all sorts ) anyway it didn't and had been meaning to catch up with the news but had been busy. Thanks for the link, good to see it in the air again - sort of!