MVT , Military Vehicle Trust, News

Warwick Offredi

The MVT is saddened to have to inform you that Warwick Offredi died 22nd May 2008 after a very short illness.

For many years he has worked tirelessly for the MVT acting as Communications and Press Officer as well as running the club shop. He will be sorely missed. A full Obituary paying tribute to him and his work for the MVT will appear in the Trust's publications.

CHAIRMANS REPORT - Summer 2008

Chairmans Message Spring 2008

Library

The MVT Library, has now been successfully moved to its new storage facility, and is now being re-catalogued and sorted. When this is complete there will be a new full list of material available to MVT members on the web site.

Please watch the Library section for details of copy services, costs and for notice of resumption of library service, full contact details etc.

As new Librarian, I would like to thank John Buswell for his past services, and the advice given on how things work. My thanks also go to all who facilitated the transfer of the Library from John to the new storage site, this was quite a logistical task.

Andrew Snowdon
Librarian

7th April 2008

'Somewhere in Suffolk' greetings cards now available!

To help finance the 'Somewhere in Suffolk' event Suffolk MVT have produced a pack of ten A6 greetings cards. Each card has a different image taken from an original photo from The Rougham Tower Association's archives and shows some aspect of the 94th Bomb Group whilst based at Rougham. The inside of the card is blank providing a multi-role greetings card weapons system! A pack (including envelopes) costs £5.50 which includes post and packing. No self respecting AAF buff should be without at least one pack because when they're gone - they're truly gone!

Send your order - clearly stating your name and address - and a cheque made out to 'Suffolk MVT' to: 'Somewhere in Suffolk', The Uplands, Rookwood Lane, Preston St.Mary, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9LY. (Please note these are only available from the Suffolk Area and not from the Club Shop)

De-activated guns, the story so far;

It seems that after what to many of us seemed a rather rash statement regarding de-activated guns, the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, is now"consulting" to decide on her further actions. She was talking of getting "black market guns" off the streets which I am sure we all agree with. However I think she needs to be made aware of the difference between these"black market guns" and the de-acs we legally own as part of our historic
collections.

I have had personal replies from Conservative and Lib Dem spokesmen who certainly seem to be aware of the existence of serious collectors of de-acs. They point out to me the ilogicality of the Government targeting legal de-ac owners, rather that the organised criminals importing and selling live guns.

During the consultations that shaped of the VCR Bill, the MVT had to work from outside of the circle of chosen "interested bodies". This time, as an
organisation with well over 6,000 members, who collectively own thousands of de-acs, from pistols to Chieftain tanks, we should be represented in
consultations. As individuals and as an organisation, we have provided vehicles and equipment for events ranging from the Household Cavalry parade
in front of the Queen, to collecting for the Poppy Appeal.

The MVT General Secretary Simon Bromley has written to Jacqui Smith asking for the MVT to be represented in consultations. I think it would be a great
help if as many members as possible contacted the Home Secretary and her Conservative and Lib Dem shadows to back up Simon's request.

Preston Isaac
Chairman

"All de-activated guns banned by the end of the year"

Dear Member,

Most of you will have noticed the media are again forecasting “all de-activated guns banned by the end of the year“. Many so called statistics are being quoted, but as so often is the case, the media and possibly some politicians will not let the truth spoil a sensational story. In spite of the hard fought for specific exemption of de-acs from the VCR Bill it seems they are again in danger. If we wish to keep them we will have to put our case again, very clearly and possibly quickly.

First the facts so far, below is the actual statement made by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith on 10 January 2008

‘I will shortly consult on a way forward to allow genuine curators to collect legitimate firearms while giving the police and other enforcement agencies the powers they need to get black market firearms off our streets.’

‘I want to balance protecting the public with the rights of responsible collectors of de-activated firearms.’

‘Before 1995 the standards for de-activating guns were less stringent than those that currently apply. The police tell me that these pre-1995 weapons are turning up more and more in gun related crime and I want to address these concerns to effectively eliminate the threat from our streets.’

Mr Les Rawlins of World Wide Arms said ;

“ You should not take any notice of any other media announcements. The Home Secretary’s statement is quite clear. She intends to consult regarding de-activated firearms to achieve an acceptable balance. The talk of outright bans, reclassification, easy conversion and the various figures that are being speculated are all journalistic sensations and misquotations. The situation will be completely clarified in the next few months.”

In the meantime, we can contact all or some of the following; our MP’s, the Home Secretary, and the two Shadow Home Secretaries, and all three party leaders. Not with pages of ranting's, but for instance you can explain in your own words the historic value you see in the de-activated guns you own, and ask if your interests will be considered in any proposed legislation?

Preston Isaac

Chairman 15th Jan 2008

Appointment of Chris Davies - Honorary Vice President

At the December CoM meeting, Chris Davies announced his retirement from the elected Council. The matter of how to acknowledge his significant work for the Trust over very many years was discussed.

It was noted from as far back as the 1982 AGM Minutes that his name was first recorded, as giving “a short report” on seat belts, tachographs and replica firearms. Considering his name then appears another 262 instances in all the Minutes to date, it is not possible to do full justice to his contribution to the Trust!

When the general records started in 1979, it seems clear that the Solent Area was already well established, with his name as Area Secretary. I also think he jointly started the Area, along with one or two others. Then his name appears in connection with the first Southsea Show in 1985 when he met Portsmouth Council on behalf of the Trust and “agreed terms”. That was an important show for the club, being jumping off point for the 40th Anniversary of D-Day tour to France. He then went on to be heavily involved in that, and other shows, for many years
.
Chris then offered to be the club’s first Safety Officer in January 1987, being elected to the Committee, as it then was, at the 1989 AGM. This now makes him the joint longest serving member of the MVT management. He went on to produce the Code of Conduct, revising it a year later and again in 1994. It is his Code that is still in use today some twenty years on. In 1989 he then became Show Secretary, presumably in conjunction with Safety! The title later changed to Events Secretary and then to Events Diary Collator & Club Safety Officer.

Chris produced the first Events Diary in early 1990. The Events Diary is still his handiwork, still appearing in every Green Sheet. There must be towards 100 printed Events Diaries, plus goodness knows how many monthly up-dates for our website! His diary is also the basis of all the other diaries connected with the military hobby that appear in the other club and commercial magazines.

And so it goes on! Over the years he has also written many articles for Windscreen, from legal matters, to trips abroad on his M20. He has also attended and contributed at the Council of Management meetings on the numerous general issues we have to discuss as club officers.

As Chris will be resigning from the CoM at the AGM, the Council decided that they would like to acknowledge all the continuous work he has carried out on behalf of the Trust over the last 25 plus years in so many different areas. We therefore hope that he will accept the position of MVT Honorary Vice President. Even elevated to being a Vee Pee, we hope that we can still prevail upon him to continue as Events Diary Collator!

Simon Bromley
General Secretary
For and on behalf of the Council of Management.

Chris has gracefully accepted the Council of Management’s appointment and will continue with his position of Events Diary Collator. (He also mentioned that his family were mightily impressed, as they should be!)

B Vehicle History Card Archive

There is now a link on the "Link Page" with information on how to go about obtaining B records