Words by Andy Harman, pictures by Helana Gasser

To celebrate 50 years at the same site, the BAE Systems business I work for decided to host a Families Day. In a moment of weakness, I suggested that we have a an off-road display as part of the day, in an area of waste ground.

After months of preparation, with the help of his partner Jonathon Fearne, a 7 ton excavator and driver, supplied by Paul Simms one of the sites key contractors, David Lovejoy’s design for an urban off-road area became a reality. Three bomb holes, a set of side slopes, some elephant’s footprints and a rock run and we were ready to rock and role.

On the Saturday vehicles started arriving around 10:30, Andy Marshallsay from Shire Land Rover Club was the first to arrive with an Ibex, quickly followed by Cuffy, and some of the Portsmouth posse, Lance, Rodders, Helana and Mark Gasser, and two more lads in a Series 2 Landy from Shire.

After messing around on the rock area, a walk of the course, and a quick briefing we were ready, to take people for a ride around the course as the site opened at 12:00.

Did I mention the bomb holes, the two small ones were only about 5 foot deep and 15 foot long, the bigger one was designed to completely loose a jeep, so it was about eight foot deep and 40 foot long, it should have had a bridge across the top of it but, we had a bit of a problem with the span.

Did I mention the water in the bomb holes, it was not my fault, I’m sure David Lovejoy said fill the big bomb hole, and one of the smaller one’s with water, the rain on Friday didn’t help, but hay its only a bit of water.

All the 4x4s took turns at giving people rides around the course, £2 a go with all the proceeds going to the Site’s charities. The guy’s getting a break every 30minute’s when there was a motorcycle display by two very talented young motocross riders.

By about 2:00pm, we had to run the two water filled bomb holes backwards because they were virtually un-driveable.

It was just amazing the line of people just never seemed to end and by 4:00 both the bomb holes were totally destroyed and the guy’s were total shattered, so we decided to close down and call it a day.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who, turned up, your support and help through the day was very much appreciated.

We collected over £190, in donation for the rides, and the feedback I got on Monday at work was really good, we blew them away.

Thanks again
Andy

Some pictures from the event