The Malvern show has been running for a few years now and is organised by Land Rover Monthly Magazine. To be honest, it is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Generally, the weather is kind, and there is plenty to do to keep your average Land Roverist entertained for the weekend. Held over the weekend of the 8^th to 10^th May, this was the third year Land Rover Life had held a club stand, and every year we have managed to meet our full allocation of vehicles. My only issue with Malvern is the journey. It’s a bit of a trek for us up t’north meaning several of us tend to use the more Modern Land Rovers rather than our classic’s; I mean some of us are getting on a bit.

Above – Adam’s Range Rover Sport Supercharged joined the arena with some other V8’s

For the Malvern show, I always take the Friday off work and have a leisurely drive down. I usually plan to arrive midafternoon and this year was no exception. It seems that, this year, everyone had the same idea because as I pulled into the gate, I noted LRL members Phil and Sue were directly in front of me and when I looked in my mirror LRL member Adam was behind me! In fact, most of the LRL stand all arrived within an hour of each other!

With all the team camping on the club stand, this means a plan is needed to ensure there is enough space between the vehicles to allow people to walk around and view them. This plan usually means Dave grumbles and complains as he puts his tent up, and this year was no exception. Dave and his soap box were certainly on form.

Below – This very early 127 HCPU Crew Cab looked great, but to the Land Rover Geek in me something wasn’t correct? Its not the wheels by the way. If you can spot it email admin@lrlife.co.uk

Come the evening all the vehicles were on the stand, everyone had arrived safe and all the camping arrangements were sorted. The Land Rover Life stands always have a good mixture of Land Rover products and this year was no exception. In age order we had a Series 1 86”, Series 3 88”, Range Rover Classic, Land Rover Discovery Series II, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Land Rover Puma 90, Range Rover L405 and an L663 Defender 110. Oh, and a Yellow Ford Transit Van which to everyone on the stand, except Spare Dave, thought looked green. The evenings usually involve food, drink and banter and soon it was ready to get my head down, remembering to put in the ear plugs as one LRL member snores like a trooper, and go to sleep.

Above left – This 101 Forward Control is a very rare Vampire model and was in great condition. Above Right – This is without a doubt the best 101 camper conversation I have ever seen!

Morning came, the coffee was brewed and bacon and sausages were cooked. Time to head out and take a look. There were plenty of club stands on display, and as always there are some interesting things to see too. In the central arena there were various demonstrations and activities, involving either Land Rovers or dogs! On the Saturday there was a gathering of V8 Land Rovers, with LRL’s Adam being asked to show his Range Rover Sport Supercharged. This was one of the launch editions, so comes in the very attractive and very iconic Vesuvius Orange. Later on, in the day Debbie and Phil were also invited to take part in the winching demonstration, which seemed to defy Logic. Using three vehicles and a complex arrangement, Neil Watterson managed to pull his vehicle backwards by using his front mounted winch pulling forwards! Witchcraft indeed, and I can confirm it did actually work!

Below – This One Ten ambulance conversion caught my eye as I wondered around the show.

Above – This 1/2 Ton air portable looked ready for business!

The rest of the day was catching up with friends on other stands and chatting the day away. It was nice this year that a few LRL members who were not on the stand came over to say hello and introduced themselves. If ever you are at a show, please come and say hello! We are usually giving away free Land Rover Life stickers!

As the day started to get quiet, the BBQ’s were lit and the beers were opened. As there was some live entertainment in the beer tent a few of us headed over and with hindsight that proved to be a most excellent idea. As we sat there, enjoying the evening the heavens opened resulting in a tremendous rainstorm. Oh well, best get another round in then hadn’t I! I’m not saying the LRL team were party animals this weekend, but we were the last to leave the bar 😊

Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Sunday, only this time with Dave procrastinating over whether to buy a new set of wheels for this L405. The exact thing happened last year, and when he decided to go for it they had been sold. All I will say this year is that history has a knack of repeating itself!

Below – The LRM show has plenty to keep the kids happy, I mean look at those smiles!

With more rain forecast on the Sunday, the whole stand quickly took down all the tents and packed them to avoid a wet pack, but to be honest we didn’t need to rush as the weather was better than expected. The Sunday shows always get quite around 2 to 3pm, and many of the stands leave early which is a shame for those that have paid to attend. Once the show was all but over we all said our farewells and headed in our different directions. There is a new LRM show this year, being held at Newbury but unfortunately it coincides with our own Waterside Weekender so there will be no LRL stand. Maybe next year.

Below – The first time they have all been together at the same time. The Three Dave’s of the apocalypse – Left to right, Dave, Spare Dave, Spare Spare Dave.