Welcome to the second Essex HMVA newsletter of 2019, and I'm happy to say that it's very satisfying to report how well the year has gone so far.

Our second Drive-It day was a great event, the weather (whilst the threatened to rain) thankfully was mostly dry and all who attended agreed that the event was well worth attending, once again, we have to give thanks to the Star Inn - Steeple for once again acting as very welcoming hosts, allowing us to park our vehicles there and providing such a great lunch for everyone who attended.

Our attention now turns to our next event, the Maldon Armed Forces day. The end of June sees a national weekend of celebrating, thanking and remembering our Armed Forces. As part of the Maldon Armed Forces Weekend, in partnership with Maldon District Council, we are running our first Armed Forces Day event on Sunday 30th June 2019. This brings together those people who wish to give thanks to our Armed Forces as well as educating the public on their role in society. The event runs from 10:00 to 16:00, at Promenade Park, Maldon. CM9 5JQ. Any vehicle owners, or living history groups which wish to take part, please email us, so we can include you in the set up and joining emails. I want to thank all those who have been of great help to us, from the events team at the District Council, to those who have already asked to attend, to our invited guests and armed forces personnel. This event is free to attend, and all are welcome.

I am really pleased that the Echoes of History show is coming together quite so well so far, the new multi-period focus for the event has brought in some great new exhibitors that I'm really looking forwards to seeing. If you wish to be involved or want to contribute in some way to helping and supporting our show please contact us.

Can I ask you all to do everything you can to get the word out about The Echoes of History show - even if you are unable to attend or help, you can do your bit by re-posting from our Facebook Page, taking some of our flyers and getting them in local shops, or printing off a poster from our website and displaying it. Everything we can do to get the word out to promote the event helps.

Essex HMVA Instagram account

You may or may not have been aware that we now have a dedicated Instagram account for the Essex HMVA - we will use that account to post pictures of both forthcoming events and information about events that we will be at, if you'd like to take a look, you can find it here: https://www.instagram.com/essex.hmva/

Essex HMVA Website

Russell and David have produced a brand new website for Echoes of History, as well as continuing to update the Essex HMVA website, including pictures of member's vehicles and collections - if you would like to appear here, please contact them at: Essex HMVA website editors, sending them pictures of your collections and a description where appropriate. This is a chance to let others see and learn about your interests, and I would encourage everyone to do so. In addition we have Face Book pages for both the EssexHMVA and Echoes of History there is also an additional one specifically for reenactors attending the show.

I mention several times in this report about contacting the Essex HMVA; this can be done via email, phone, the web sites (any of them) or Face Book pages (any of them) or even the Echoes of History Show line.

Olive Drab Magazine

Another quarter brings another Olive Drab, and I still look with pride at everything that's produced each quarter by such a small team of people, I know that everyone involved attempts to provide a mixture of articles - if you feel that you'd like to contribute, I know that the editors would be more than happy to hear from others who feel that they'd like to write something.

For non-members, you can have a glimpse of what you're missing at: www.olivedrab.co.uk


FILM WORK

A general note to vehicle owners, I often get requests for vehicles to take part in film work. When I am asked if we, can supply vehicles it's usually at short notice. So, if I do approach you with regards to film work I would appreciate a speedy answer in order that we can either supply a vehicle or I can ask someone else. Doing film work can be a great experience and you never know who you are going to meet!

(This also goes for other requests we often get for vehicles for weddings, school leaving days, 40's parties and even funerals.)

To those people who request a vehicle for these types of activity, can I ask you to bear with us and we will do our best to fulfil your request if we can. However, please consider this is our hobby and the vehicles are the owners pride and joy, valuable, not cheap to run and if you want something like a tank it's expensive!


BARN

Currently the Barn is full, however there may be some movement soon, so if you have an interest in storing your vehicle there, please let us know.

EVENTS

We have had several new shows added to the events list so I recommend you go to www.essexhmva.co.uk, where you can see the latest info on up and coming events

Likewise, if you are an event organiser, please use our contact us form to enter your event details so we can add it to our web site in order that our members can see it.

Don't forget, we have monthly members meetings, and you're welcome to attend or even join while you're there - you are most welcome.

Colin Tebb

Essex HMVA Chairman