The Play Pen

Watford Gap

Watford Gap was a pinch point between the two fields (whiche were actually located in two different farms) which made up the Play Pen.

The Play Pen is where the action was. This photo is taken from the top of the arena close to where the commentary van was located. Vehicles went counter clockwise usually from the entrance top left, down the slope past the Baker's Arms (marquee beer tent) up past the commentary box then down the slope up through Watford Gap (where one wag once installed a speed camera) and round and down to complete the circuit.

TM413 (the Crane trailer)

Headed up by 'Morag' getting ready for the off.

We usually put on a show of moving the Trailer (as it was commonly called) around the main arena three or four times a day. Although Morag was usually called upon to move the Trailer into position before the show started or to put it to bed after the show ended it was actually quite rare for me and Morag to form part of the moving team during the daily exhibitions.

Changing the donkey engine

Emergency repairs on site

The Trailer was steered by a diesel donkey engine mounted above the rear bogey. If that failed, the Trailer went nowhere. The pictures below show what happened the year the donkey did fail but we managed to buy a replacement from a friendly Matador owner.

An exhibitor had a Matador which had a diesel donkey engine which he never used. It was dirty green, not dirty blue but was compatible, so we struck a deal.

Being slung out of the donor Matador.

and into the Trailer

Dust over Dorset

regular attendees at GDSF carry one of two memories. Choking dust or blinding rain. Here's the dust.

More Morag.

To the left, Miles, who was Morag's Main Mechanic is doing something technical. Above Morag is being loaded to be taken "up north" where she was to attend a show at Barnard's Castle.