The FBHVC new national survey reveals record numbers of historic vehicles and rising public enthusiasm — but warns of an ageing ownership base and urgent need for future skills.

The results provide a fascinating insight into the hobby and are well worth a look at - see the link below: 

The MVT provided a Commemorative Showcase at the Classic Car Show at the NEC this weekend. A spectacular selection of vehicles of all eras attracted thousands of visitors and the MVT area hosted a moving Service of Remembrance on Sunday. 

The MVT will be appearing for the first time at WeHaveWaysFestival (12-14th September). We have a fantastic display planned to demonstrate how we achieve our core aims:
“Restore and Conserve”: there will be interactive technical talks and demonstrations about restoration and maintenance based around a Daimler Dingo and Jeep.
“Educate and Inspire” we will have a 25 lb gun with Chevrolet and Morris complete with a gun crew in operation together with a “Fuelling Passions” display about what an important role the humble Jerry Can played in WW2.
“Honour and Respect” – there will be a living history display showcasing  how Phantom GHQ Liaison Regiment deployed their vehicles (which includes two white Scout Cars, a reconnaissance Dingo and jeep, and a Matchless g3l) in  reconnaissance patrols- and how the intelligence they collected was communicated to the commanders of battles.
We also have a mg2 Ransome crawler  - a small but mighty tracked vehicle used for general haulage duties on airfields – showing that smaller vehicles are just as important!
It’s great that we have two Dingoes attending as this year marks 80 years since the last one was produced in nearby Coventry – we hope to join a large contingent of dingoes at this year's Festival. 

We are also proud to announce that we will be sponsoring the debut appearance of the Crowland Buffalo at WeHaveWaysFestival 2025. Following a successful partnership at Yorkshire Wartime, it will be great to help the CBA spread the story of their unique restoration crusade. 

The MVT are proud to announce that we are supporting this unique project which one of our members, Wendy Clarke is heavily involved with. We are covering the cost of one of the travel cases required to transport the artwork all over the world. Their exhibitions attract visitors of all ages and from all over the world and by supporting it, we hope to attract new people to the hobby. The first exhibition which many of our members have visited in Normandy and the UK, is currently taking America by storm.

The MVT were proud to support the 20th Victory Show in Cosby, Leicestershire. In addition to the Exhibition Trailer attending, we sponsored a competition to win a ride in a half track during the battle on both days. 
Many of our members displayed their vehicles in the outstanding living history areas. 

See full report from South East Midlands     mvtsem.org.uk/news/tanks-trucks-and-firepower-1

We are pleased to bring you news of DVLA’s announcement regarding the outcome of the government's "call for evidence" which launched on 9 May 2024 during which the Federation of British Historic Vehicles, to whom we submitted our responses, lobbeyed on behalf of historic vehicle owners. 

The Federation comments on the announcement:

"Following an extended period of lobbying and consultation by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) culminating in the Call for Evidence to which Members responded in record numbers,  the Federation can now share this Registration Policy Update from DVLA.The Federation is very encouraged by these outcomes, not only with the revised policies but also with a clear change to a more sympathetic and pragmatic approach to the registration difficulties sometimes faced with older vehicles. 
We also acknowledge the considerable time and effort Agency staff have obviously devoted to this matter and are grateful that they so carefully listened to our submissions."

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING PAGE FOR THE DETAILS 

https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/dvla-backs-classic-car-industry-and-driving-enthusiasts-with-updated-registration-policies 

The page will be updated as more news is released

Now available on the Cold War Network Page 

The MVT were proud to support this show by sponsoring the appearance of the Crowland Buffalo LVt at the event see https://crowlandbuffalo.wordpress.com/

The MVT Publicity Trailer was also at the show and was manned over the 3 days by our volunteers. 

The most recent Cold war network Newsletter is now available on our Cold war network page https://www.mvt.org.uk/the-cold-war-network.html The Cold War Network

Members are reminded that the official advice remains to ensure that you take the correct paperwork when travelling into France with vehicles, especially if they are on trailers. All ex military vehicles are coming under increased scrutiny. 

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any period of 12 months.  Historic military vehicles are covered by a piece of legislation called an OGEL. Owners of all ex-military vehicles (whether trailered or not)  should carry a copy of the exemption papers:
Open General Export Licence (historic military vehicles and artillery pieces)
Print out the top document (most recent). This should be carried in addition to V5 and insurance documentation etc that should accompany each vehicle.

Additionally, vehicles on trailers or taken inside another vehicle (as in the case of motorcyles etc) are regarded as cargo and should be declared at customs. The additional form required for trailered vehicles is called a CERFA and should be filled in and given to the authorities on arrival at a port. Failure to do so could attract a fine and a hefty fee based on thier approximation of the vehicles value  - which can amount to almost £1000 for a jeep. You should exit the port in the red "goods to declare lane" and offer the completed CERFA form to officials. If the douanes wave you through and do not process the CERFA, you are advised to note the exact time that you were waved through, for reference on your return if you are challenged - although this is unlikely. 

The two page form can be completed on a computer - the first page autofills the second. The translation is provided for guidance only. You should fill in the FRENCH VERSION. 

ADDITIONAL ADVICE REGARDING AXES FIXED TO JEEPS AND PIONEEER RACKS.
Another recent incident involving a jeep from the UK, saw a Douane officer requesting that the owner of the jeep remove his axe from the side of the jeep before boarding the ferry. The reason was purely a question of prevention, as in the past axes have been taken off vehicles and used as weapons. Furthermore, several owners have had axes stolen from jeeps whilst in France. It may therefore be advisable to remove axes before you travel. The same applies to tools on Pioneer racks which are prone to theft and might be confiscated on arrival. 

Do you own a military vehicle and live in the UK? 
If so, please take part in our MVT military vehicle Census and help us understand what is out there in terms of military vehicles in the UK 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MVTcensus

This is our first attempt to try and understand how many military vehicles are in private ownership in the UK. The purpose of this is to understand what is out there, gain a better understanding of the hobby and help us lobby government on key issues. Since our purpose is "Keeping our mechanical veterans alive" knowing what is out there will help us understand what needs to be protected. This census is delivered as a result of work recently conducted by the National Army Museum, who recently conducted a survey of all military vehicles in museums.

This survey is anonymous if you would like it to be, however if you would like to enter a draw to win a year's free membership of the MVT you will need to put your contact details at the end of the census, this is entirely optional.

The MVT is sponsoring Tankfest  the 27th June -29th June 2025.
 
This is a major commitment for the MVT as we have teamed up with the Tank Museum to sponsor the reenactor area. This is multi period area and we have had a request to provide extra vehicle to enhance the displays put on by various reenactor groups depicting WWI, WWII Allied, Axis, and Post War Dioramas.
 
Vehicle have to be there on the Thursday the 26th and are to remain static during the show so cannot be moved, they will be incorporated withing the reenactors display. Break down is Sunday evening or you can remain on site until Monday if you wish. The choice of vehicles will be ultimately be down to the reenactor groups and museum as  to what is appropriate to that display
 
Exhibitors will get 2 wristbands giving free access to the show, for all 3 days and near bye off site camping is available for both tents, caravans and motorhomes if required.
 
We have also been given a large addition area next to the MVT display trailer to show other vehicles and these can be of any era. These will be chosen by the MVT.
 
Those interested in attending show with your vehicle in the first instance should send an email with your contact details and a picture of your vehicle that you wish to exhibit to Keith Nicholas, Dorset Area Sec.  Email: [email protected]. We will then be in contact when the vehicles have been short listed.  If you have any further question please contact Peter Hamblin [email protected]

One of the best supported weekend of the whole year sees hundreds of MVT members out with their vehicles supporting the RBL Poppy Appeal. Here are some of this year's activities from up and down the country.  Lest we forget.

The MVT were invited to present a tribute to the 80th Anniversary of DDay, as part of the Federation  of British Historic Vehicles Village at this years Classic Car Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. There was a great turn out of vehicles of all shapes and sizes and the MVT display was one of the most popular in the show. A wreath laying ceremony at 11 o'clock on Remembrance Sunday was well attended and  the weekend was great promotion for the Trust.

The John West Rosebowl awarded for acheivements for the Council of Management went to Steve Parker.

The John Keedwell Award for the Post War vehicle that has travelled the greatest distance  to MVT events went to Paul Sennant and his Leyland.

The Annual General Meeting of the MVT was held on Sunday 20th October at the Sywell Aviator Hotel,  the home of our hosts, South East Midlands MVT.  In addition to the  formal business of approving accounts and appointing auditors, Tim Hawkes and Steve Parker were relected as Trustees and we welcomed 5 new Trustees: Chris Allsop, Bradley Johnson, Susie Newbould, Brian Slingsby and Jonathan Holmes. Annual Reports reflected the highly successful year that we have enjoyed; the highlight being the thousand strong MVT attendence in Normandy in June and the formation of four new Areas in South Yorkshire, Northern Ireland Dorset and Derbyshire. Our Annual Awards and Trophies were awarded  and we discussed our exciting plans for the forthcoming year including the digitising of our MVT Library which will see the first 150  WW1/WW2 manuals, books and documents being scanned by experts and made available as a unique resource for all to access. We also look forward to exhibiting at the NEC in November at the Classic Car Show, and fostering stronger ties with the National Memorial Arboretum and Tank Museum, in addition to taking the MVT trailer to an even bigger range of events up and down the country. .

For the first time, the meeting was streamed via zoom which meant that members unable to make the journey could observe the proceedings.

Many thanks to our President Richard Beddall for chairing the meeting and Neill Elliot and his Area Members for such a warm welcome to such a fantastic venue.

The MVT Annual General Meeting will be held at Sywell Aviation Museum on Sunday 20th October 2024 at 1pm. Location:  Sywell Aerodrome, Wellingborough Rd, Northampton NN6 0BN.

Many of our members took part in thr recent commemorations to mark teh 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

A large contingent were involved in the 5-yearly XXXCorps run from Leopoldsberg to Bemmel following the route of XXXCorps in real time. In what proved to be a unique and unforgettable experience the highlight was teh incredible welcome of the Dutch people in every community they travelled through and stayed in.

More members took part in events based in Oosterbeek and Arnhem, many joining ABWO for their attendence at Ginkel Heath for the mass parachute drop and the  famous "Race to the Bridge" from Renkum to the John Frost Bridge in Arnhem.

A group of the Council of Management laid a wreath on behalf of the MVT at Oosterbeek Cemetery and witnessed the moving Flower Laying ceremony where hundreds of local children laid flowers on the graves of the soldiers that they tend year round. They were later joined by our patron James Holland.

The MVT are proud to have supported the Overlord Show 2024 and helped them raise money for SSAFA

The MVT were proud to support YWE 2024 by sponsoring the Valentine DD Tank and sending the PR trailer.  Many of our members attended the event with vehicles and displays, helping make the weekend a huge success.

The MVT are proud to have supported the Commemorative Convoy from Basingstoke to Hungerford - a great weekend was had by all.

During our visit to the Hill 112 memorial in Normandy, it was pointed out that the Churchill tank was in need of restoration. Less than 2 weeks later, the MVT were proud to have coordinated and sponsored a repair by gate Guards Restorations. Before and After!

350 vehicles and over 1000 people signed up to be part of the #MVTDDAY24 community  and took part in the commemorations in Normandy to mark the 80th Anniversary of the greatest seaborne invasion of all time and the beginning of the liberation of Europe. 

Our members supported a range of commemorations from major National Events with hundreds of vehicles, to small ceremonies.