Thread: Reminicences of an aging journo

Rambling through some old files I was brought to a halt by a memorable event of many years ago.
I thought you might like to read it too.......

MABEL'S FINEST HOUR
LAND ROVER'S 50th ANNIVERSARY HERITAGE RUN

Dedicated to those who worked so hard to give us a day to treasure.

WOW! What a fantastic day! What a fantastic weekend! What a fantastic start to a historic year! I daren't look down! I'm still in the clouds! April 26th 1998 will remain one of the greatest days of my life. I was there! I was a part of Land Rover's 50th Anniversary celebrations!
It's April 30th as I write this, 50 years to the day that a small, almost insignificant, boxy shaped vehicle sat amongst the glitz and razzmatazz of the emerging post war motor industries show in Amsterdam. No one there could have guessed what effect this 'stop gap' product of the Rover Car Company would have on the world over the ensuing years. It's dogged determination to survive, no matter what the ailing British motor industry could throw at it or drain from it, was as unstoppable as it's off road ability.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAND ROVER!

For a week, Helena and I had gloomily watched the weather forecasts. Surely it can't rain THAT weekend. Hadn't we had enough rain this month already' On Friday afternoon we'd hitched the caravan to 'Mabel', our 101 Forward Control ambulance, and set off toward Solihull as the heavens opened. I'd already been soaked as I washed her down in the morning and the low pressure and fronts on the latest forecast showed there was more to come. As we finally emerged from the crawl of the M.25 onto the M.40, an unfamiliar yellow disc appeared in the sky. Was there hope, yet? Arriving at the Somers Wood Caravan Park in Meriden we watched our first sunset for weeks as we tuned in the television for another forecast. Were we getting paranoid?
Saturday dawned cool but bright. There wasn't a cloud in the sky as we headed toward Lode Lane and an appointment with the Land Rover Experience. We were in Land Rover country, the sun was in the sky and our spirits were up there with it. A band of enthusiasts surrounded the 'Experience' centre as we arrived. The electric atmosphere that radiated from the group proved we weren't the only ones with 'Heritage Run Fever'! Land Rovers and tomorrow were the only topics of conversation while we waited for our complimentary rides around the LR Experiences' famous course.
Back on a sun drenched campsite, members of the Range Rover Register were polishing their prize possessions 'til they shone like jewels. A 101 'Vampire' and a Camel Trophy 90 had also arrived and a group of 110s, who had driven from South Africa to the event, were setting up camp. We spent a glorious, balmy afternoon making 'Mabel' presentable amidst happy banter and a growing air of expectancy.

Sunday, 26th April 1998 sulked in under a grey, brooding sky and a light drizzle. Surely the weatherman wasn't going to be right after all' The alarm clock woke us at 6.15 a.m. and by 7.30 we were at the assembly area in the car park of the National Exhibition Centre. We were amongst the early arrivals and, during the next hour, were treated to a procession of the most unbelievably rare and wonderful Solihull products. At the same time, what seemed like 'all the world's media' descended on us. Maybe wearing my 'Mabel matching' desert uniform had been a bad idea. It seemed to attract photographers and TV reporters like a magnet! Eventually, I extracted myself and went among the Land Rovers in the now persistent rain, looking for likely candidates for my camera. Where does one start' When surrounded by 150 of the world's most desirable vehicles, each one worth a feature article in LRO, who do you chose? Ultimately, I was saved by the signal for the start of the Cavalcade.
On the stroke of ten o'clock, two things happened: The first Land Rover was flagged away towards the Lode Lane factory and the clouds rolled back to reveal the sun.
Not even the gods had dared to spoil our party!
The very Land Rover that had introduced the marque to the world fifty years ago, chassis number R.01, proudly headed the procession. Then followed Series Ones from 1948, 1949 and so on. Slowly the evolution of the Land Rover unfolded as one for every year of production followed, the last place, naturally, being taken by a Freelander, fresh from the production line. As this train of Rover history disappeared from view another group of fifty prepared to leave.
Over the years many individuals and organisations have exploited the adaptability of the Land Rover to their own requirements. From a 'one off' home built camper, lovingly constructed by it's enthusiast owner, to the volume production of specialist military appliances. There was something for everyone. A royal review Series One, two stretched, multi-axled Range Rovers, a complete set of Long Range Patrol Land Rovers and, proudly in the midst of it all, 'Mabel', her desert camouflage looking strangely out of place in the steel clad, geometric background of the NEC. The high seating position of our 101 seemed to have gained several 'storeys' as we floated away, in a dream world, on the journey of a lifetime.
As 'Mabel' threaded her way through a barrage of cameras and TV crews for the place of her creation, the third and final fifty were preparing to follow. The celebrities of the Land Rover world; those with a story to tell. Our new found friends from South Africa accompanied a 'Judge Dredd' 101 Forward Control and, I hardly dare say, the new 130 XD ambulance that will shortly make 'Mabel's' compatriots redundant!
The Damson Parkway gate is the finest way to enter the Land Rover factory. At the head of a long hill it offers a panoramic view of the birth place of the world's most versatile vehicle. As we looked over the roof of the Series One in front of us down to the Land Rover Experience building, it's anniversary flags and bunting slapping in the stiff breeze, a long line of classic Land Rovers awaited their presentation from Managing Director, Ian Robertson. Heading up the slope past us were the 'First Fifty' and all around were new, unregistered Land Rover products, ready for the enthusiasts of the next fifty years. A welcome and presentation of a commemorative pen from the MD to each driver, passenger our case since we're left hand drive, and off to our next port of call.
Solihull town was a scene of carnival. Thousands of happy, waving families had turned out to witness our passage. As Helena and I drove into the garlanded, pedestrian centre we felt like royalty. Flags waved, cameras rolled and shutters clicked as Mayor, Councillor Peter Hogarth and his wife greeted us. Clutching a rosette and a symbolic, green clad, yellow carnation we followed our personal police motorcycle escort to the edge of town and south into the Warwickshire countryside.
At every junction and turn of the twenty-five mile drive to Gaydon, blue jacketed marshals smiled and waved us in the right direction. In every lay-by were Land Rovers, their owners waving and pointing cameras. Our hearts were thumping in tune with the V8 beneath us.
Bypassing 'mere mortals', we entered the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon. I've visited the Centre often but the sight that greeted us this time, as we turned onto the head of the long ramp down to the arena, was breathtaking! The magnificent Heritage building stood like an altar to the god of Land Rovering. Spread before it, amongst a litter of candystriped tents and waving banners was an offering of hundreds of classic and rare Rovers. Thousands thronged the arena in a true 'Festival of the Land Rover'.
Guided into our allotted place, we descended into the intoxicating atmosphere. It was as if someone had uncorked a bottle containing all the love, respect and sentiment for the marque, matured over the fifty years of it's existence. For three glorious hours we revelled in it, strolling round the display of Solihull's finest, meeting old friends, making new ones and, of course, talking 'shop'! On the podium, Rover Group Manufacturing Director, Paul Kirk was chatting with stars Adam Faith and Nick Berry, both Land Rover fanatics. Inside the Centre were continuous Land Rover lectures and films. Completing the scene were the inevitable autojumble, a vibrant jazz band and a pig roast to satisfy the inner needs. After a heartfelt speech of gratitude from Rover supremo, (BMW's) Dr. Walter Hasselkus, the cavalcade re-assembled to move on once again. Baddesley Clinton House for tea.
Impeccable marshalling again made sure of our safe arrival and we settled down to coffee and scones with old friend Brian Bashall of Dunsfold fame. It was quite a relief to float down from the dizzy heights of the last few hours and enter a more normal world! After 'official' photographs in front of the mediaeval manor, we drove off to our final destination - the Pendigo Lake of the NEC.
This was our 'private' party. Just a 150 weary but elated crews. No photographers or reporters, no thronging crowds, just friends and fellow enthusiasts. We gathered our Land Rovers on the beach as an orchestra played and darkness descended. Angie Slater, of the 101 FC Club, had produced a birthday cake of epic proportions surrounded by smaller cakes, each modelled as one of the four current products. Mayor Hogarth made the first cut and started the bidding for the early slices. Marie Curie cancer care, who shared our fiftieth anniversary, were to be the beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the darkness on the other side of the lake was dismissed by a series of gigantic explosions, as mortar after mortar fired blazing colour into the sky. For twenty minutes we watched enthralled, as the vivid pyrotechnics silhouetted the Land Rovers parked on the beach, and then................
Silence.
It was over.
What a wonderful day.

The words of Dr. Hasselkuss, in his speech at Gaydon, are addressed as much to you who are reading this, as they were to the crowds gathered there:
“If it wasn’t for you, the enthusiasts, Land Rover wouldn’t be what it is today. I thank you all.”

Glad you liked it. I'll try to hunt out some photos (pre-digital) to edit in.