Case Notes - All The Fun of the Fair

[Justin Case]

But this time with a slight difference, more of a commentary than a brief caption with each post.

 

Yesterday was the annual 'walkabout' in the delightful village of Cropthorne, between Evesham and Pershore. Think of a traditional village show plus a large number of open gardens that attracts hundreds of visitors and you've got it.

 

We went there mainly to get some ideas for the garden and stock up with plants, something like this but about 1/20th the size

 

 

 

Bonus of classic vehicles displayed in some of the gardens. This was Worcestershire, so of course a sprinkling of Morgans, the three wheeler and the Plus 8 are both brand new, but I preferred the 4/4 4-seater (try saying that after a few pints )

 

 

I would love to have taken this Austin 7 home

 

 

Gleaming E type engine

 

 

This lovely 1947 Jowett Bradford Utility has been in the same family since 1956, when it was bought from the original owner. Totally original except for a repaint (by brush to keep the correct finish) A credit to its owner.

 

No apologies for another prewar car and not the Corrado just peeping into the corner, although a Rover sports saloon with a 10hp engine seems a bit optimistic any way it was very nicely restored and just the thing to take you to a picnic with that wicker hamper.

 

 

The bikes weren't forgotten. There were some newer ones (mainly modern Triumphs) displayed ouside, but also these older specimens in a barn, the furthest one is an Ixion (a new make on me) and is exactly 100 years old.

 

 

That's all for now, expect irregular updates

[brickwall]

Loving those moto-bikes.

[Justin Case]

The travelling fair has arrived in town, and is all set up waiting for the first paying visitors over the weekend (usual apologies for crap photos due to lousy weather, things in the way, rubbish camera, complete lack of photoskills, etc):

 

Brought here by fine British heavy metal; this was the oldest here:

 

ERF EC11s as popular as ever, including this beautifully painted specimen:

 

Nice T Reg Foden taking a rest amongst the wildflowers before a busy weekend (can you believe it's less than a mile from the centre of Walsall )

 

But hold on, what's this. What are all these EU immigrants doing flooding in and taking all our jobs:(

 

Hard to believe tis is 20 years old:

 

Surprisingly young Dutch lad to be working on the fairgrounds:

 

Even the Frenchies have got a foothold:

 

And they're getting bigger:

 

Always keep the best to last they say, so here is 1190 hp of solid Swedish muscle; I was surprised to see such heavyweights on Fairground duty, even with the size of some of the rides:

 

[Cavcraft]

It's funny how those Volvo FLs still look modern, I just can't see them as 'old' even though they are now. Oddly enough I passed a (1979) V reg Volvo wagon/drag thing today (no picture sorry) that looked like it was held together with fibreglass and primer.

[eddyramrod]

It's funny how those Volvo FLs still look modern,

 

Even funnier how modern a Volvo FH looks...

[Justin Case]

 

Even funnier how modern a Volvo FH looks...

Yes, the FH12 is a 1995 model; the personal reg has the initials of the owners, J T Wheatley and Sons. The Scania 164 was registered six years later to the day, yet looks more of a classic than the Volvo; I'm beginning to like them nearly as much as the 3 Series Scanias.

 

X 599 VFR was a Preston registration. Does anyone from up that way remember it when it was new, it must have been even more impressive then? BTW VED on that magnificent Scania is only £160, does anyone know how I can get invited to join the Showman's Guild

[quicksilver]

That's a disappointingly modern fair if a 25 year old ERF is the oldest there Looks like a fairly typical selection, the DAF CF and Renault Premium seem to be gaining ground recently as the supply of ERFs and Fodens starts to dry up.

 

The Atmosfear ride pulled by the FH16 is a big heavy lump, 60-odd tonnes on four axles I think. Here it is loaded before being painted.

[Cavcraft]

The fair that comes to our city once a year still has a few old ERFs and Fodens. Sadly, and as if to prove they only buy shite, they've 'moved on' to a couple of mid nineties Ivecos too.

 

 

Talking of Fodens, blasting round Mold area the other day, it seems they're still the weapon of choice for the tipper boys. I even saw one 'proper' Foden still being used, the rest (of which the were a few) were of the re-badged (Daf?) variety.