Slingsby Sees Some Armour

thumb_slingsby_tankfest I'd heard the humans talking about visiting something called Tankfest, but had wondered what it was about. Then I heard them bickering in Bere Regis - the usual ... ‘Turn left' ... ‘Why, when it says Bovington is right?'. From this I gathered we were going to a place called Bovington, and that some women are better navigators than some men!

We arrived, and parked in the school playing field, thankful that dry weather had left it hard so there was no mud. We were guided to our space by an Aussie soldier, who gave us quote of the day. He'd referred to my Bearer as a bloke, which she observed wasn't the case. He replied ‘That's using ‘bloke' in the non-gender-specific definition ma'am.' Which was very quick thinking.

We found Alfredo, the man with the contacts, and Steve (Crystal Clear Photography of Weymouth) who had given up his day to take photos for Holidays4Heroes and my website. After a quick pic of me on a Tiger Tank and two more of me driving GRB's second favourite car, we settled down to a brew in the sunshine and planned the day.

The morning was spent rambling round the wonderful displays of tanks, armour, IED equipment, re-enactors, charity stalls and Regimental stalls. I had my photo taken with lots of lovely people, including one who said his name was Erwin Rommel, and some others who were dressed in German Uniforms, but all spoke excellent English.

Many of them knew of me already, and all were happy to be photographed with me. Pictured is a fine gentleman called Chatty Taylor who has worked at the museum for years and got a load of the older vehicles working. Sadly he won't see these pictures because he has no computer; we're arranging a special print copy for him.

We met another fine gentleman man demonstrating IED equipment, who thanked Holidays4Heroes for the good work they do.

Sadly I wasn't allowed into the VIP area, so I had my picture taken outside, looking hopeful. Maybe next year? Shortly after that I found some tiny tanks that were more my size, and the team from Armortek posed with me whilst I examined their brilliant kits.

I spent a long time chatting to Mufti the Monkey, who travels with a team of re-enactors of the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. Their camping facilities looked very basic, but they were friendly enough to let me play cards with them, at least until they noticed I had five aces in my hand!

I met the charming Malcy of Malcy art. He's going to do a portrait of me for auction and if it's as good as his other work it will make a lot of money for Holidays4Heroes. He kindly kept one of their collecting tins on his stall.

I did a quick tour of the WW1 Recruiting Office, Casualty Clearing Station and Trenches, which were attracting a lot of attention and were excellent displays.

Whilst being photographed with other armoured vehicles we met Graham Pearson and his wife Joy with their lovely children. Graham had also heard all about me, and took some photos himself.

My legs were aching by now, so we sat outside the café and watched the display (ooh, those Ruritanians!) with George Dobson from Southampton who is well known in Royal Tank Regiment folklore.

The final display was a jump by the REME Parachute Display Team, which was an exciting end to the day. Their Major has offered me a jump at Netheravon, which will be fitted into my Summer Schedule after my next visit, which I gather may have a motoring connection.

Many many thanks for this wonderful day out, to Alfredo, Steve, the organisers of Tankfest, and all the lovely people who had their photos taken.

Ed ... Two photo galleries again; the first one follows the story above, the second one contains more general photos.