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Heaton's Bridge Military
Vehicle Group open weekend
THE Heaton's Bridge Military Vehicle
Group is holding another open weekend with military vehicles and displays at the
Heaton's Bridge Inn, Burscough, on 1 April 2017 to 2 April 2017. the group say that the public are welcome to
come, there are no admission or other charges involved, and there will be a
range of military vehicles on show of all eras from WW2 onwards. Anyone with a
military vehicle of their own would be more than welcome to join them and to camp over
for the weekend. All you need to do, should you wish to being a vehicle is to Paul Connolly,
on:- 01704 545 786.
The Military gatherings at Heaton's Bridge Inn Burscough have now become a
yearly event (courtesy of proprietors Steve and Jacqui Winrow) and this is the
1st event for 2017 (a 'crank up').
The Heaton's Bridge Inn has a great range of real ales and food all given names
to reflect the military theme. The vehicles which attend include Willys, Ford,
Hotchkiss and Austin Champ Jeeps, Landrovers, 'Whistling Rio' and Bedford RL 4 ton trucks, a Saracen armoured personnel carrier, military motorbikes, and
military staff cars. Kevin Reilly will be bringing some of his range of
'big guns' which includes a mighty Howitzer, an Abbot self propelled gun, and the
Mighty Antar tank transporter.
We never know exactly what he will bring along
so there's always a surprise waiting! Members' displays include a range of militaria including:- various firearms, bayonets and other weapons, uniforms,
radio equipment and field equipment.
A regular part of the display is also a 25
pounder field gun rig belonging to Frank and Angela Brown (our Secretary)
comprising a Morris Quad tractor unit, which tows an ammunition limber behind,
and the field gun itself behind that! Frank and Angela provide demonstrations of
the team operation of the field gun and have been known to take the entire 3
part rig across the off road hill course at Burscough airfield. Quite
something!! The rig is featured on this year's event 'flyer' for the
crank up.
The Inn itself is located on the canal at Heatons Bridge and the grounds still
retain the World War 2 freestanding brick pillbox which formed part of the
home guard defence provisions. We hope to set up a small home guard display
inside the pillbox again to give some feel for how a guard might have had to
'hole up' there.
Why not come along and share the atmosphere of a Military Display for free with
the enthusiasts who would be pleased to answer any questions you may have? |
