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There was a
good turnout of vehicles from the old to the new, as well as some unusual
exhibits. A number of local transport and plant contractors were out in
force again, offering great fleet displays. Among the main exhibitors were:
D R Macleod; I A and C Maciver; Bardon Hebrides (formerly Aggregate
Industries), and J A Mackenzie & Co. Also on show were lorries from a
number of small contractors, including a Volvo unit from Inverness owned by
Donald Macritchie, of Macritchie Highland Distribution, who hails from Ness
in Lewis.
We were once
again pleased to see many island contractors exhibiting some fine examples
of smaller sized lorries and vans, including for the first time a Mercedes
Benz Atego 815 from Sandray Shellfish, Barra. Stornoway Airport was also
well represented with their fleet of emergency and site care vehicles, which
featured a new addition this year: a snow-blower – an unusual truck for the
Western Isles that might well suggest colder winters in the years ahead?
This year
featured a new display of classic bicycles. Exhibiting these were owners:
Alex Dan Cycle Centre; Angus M Mackenzie (from North Tolsta); Donny Freddy
(from Westview/Coll) and an unusual bicycle with a sidecar, owned by
Alastair Winston (an article about this cycle may feature on the website in
the future). Motorbikes were also on show during the day.
John Maciver,
J A Macleod and Ronnie Cameron showed classic old vehicle models in the
marquee tents. Some of the model lorries were presented in the particular
livery and colours used by the local contractors. Also
exhibiting in the marquee was a superb photographic display by Calum
Maclennan that showed transport related images from the island over the
years, which prompted much informed discussion by the visiting public.
Teas and
refreshments, as well as the show’s much-savoured barbecue, were also
available to keep everyone ‘fed and watered’. The ever-popular Noddy
train was busy once again this year - must have been the driver!
Additionally, there was the bouncy castle, the bungee run and the mini
quads.
The Classic
Cars on show at the event provided a great demonstration of some of the
models of vehicles that have been available over the decades. Maybe next
year organisers might arrange the cars in date order, to help demonstrate
the changes in motorcar technology and style from the early years to the
present day.
This year we
had a good number of Massey Ferguson tractors on display, from the TEF to
the Petrol/Paraffin. MF was also well represented, particularly the 35, the
100 model and the new 4000 series, as well as a 3000. Also on show was
a 50 tonne crane owned by John MacIver & Sons and a Unihorse BSA single
cylinder engine tractor, donated to the club by Roddy Murray, Inverness –
many thanks to Roddy for his gift.
Thanks
must be given to all the exhibitors who travelled from near and far and who
put such a power of work into cleaning, polishing and getting their exhibit
ready for the show. Our grateful appreciation is also extended to the many
helpers and supporters who gave their valuable time in the weeks leading up
to the 2007 Show as well as on the event day itself
Special
thanks to Sandy Matheson, Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles, for kindly
agreeing to open the show and for his words of support and encouragement.
We are also very grateful to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) for
their support and the use of airport land to host the event.
We look
forward to meeting new and returning friends at the 2008 Annual Show.
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