(^98)
VWBUS T4&5+
http://www.vwbusmagazine.com
REAR VIEW
We’ve just done three very different events over three consecutive
weeks, a village festival, a full-on VW Bus show and a hardcore
Split Bus tech / camping weekend; each very different,
showing just how diverse the VW show scene is these days
F
irst up was the Husband’s
Bosworth Festival,
which took place on
that very hot weekend
at the end of June
with temperatures climbing
to 32 degrees! It’s one of those
quintessentially English village
fetes, held in the grounds of
Bosworth Hall, a listed building
with its roots in Norman times,
remodelled in Tudor times and
then extended by the Georgians
and Victorians. But due to the
enthusiasm of Nobby Clarke,
it’s also become an event loved
by VW owners ... and with free
camping (donations are asked for)
one can see part of the attraction!
The event was started 15 yearsSummer Fun In The Sun
David Eccles is
editor of VW Camper
& Commercial, which
covers the whole
VW bus scene. He
owned the same
1966 Devon camper
for 34 years, before
migrating to a new T5
California. You can
contact David on
editor@volkswagen
camper.co.uk.Words: David EcclesLive music was provided
all day – a set from Tom
Hingley, former front man of
the Inspiral Carpets being one
of the highlights for me. And I
always enjoy listening to Tom
Dibb, a regular favourite at
VW events, playing from his
well-travelled T3. When not
wandering the stalls or lines
of vehicles on show, people
enjoyed simply sitting chilling
in the sun, relaxing to music
and soaking up the vibe. The
Beer Bus did a roaring trade,
the Pimm’s tent likewise!
Guided tours of the Hall
were on offer; an African
drummer played and offered
the chance to join in on the
lawn in front of the Hall; a
bunch of hairy Vikings beat
the hell out of each other by
the Lake; all in all, the festival
offered a really good mix of
different things to enjoy, and
though busy, you never felt
overwhelmed by a mass of
people. We missed the late-night
music and firework display –
but that’s already on the plan
for next year! “I’ll be back!”ago – back then the handful
of classic cars and a few VW
buses on display were a side line
attraction, and camping over was
not an option. This year around
300 vehicles camped up for the
weekend – mainly VW buses! But
don’t expect a typical VW show
with fun fairs, entertainment
marquees and miles of VW trade
stands – instead you have a
range traditional local craft and
produce stalls, charities and local
organisations / groups etc. But
the best bit for me (and many
others) is the huge, eclectic mix
of classic cars, military / WW 2
vehicles and vintage motorbikes- plus all sorts of oddities, such
as the 1971 Suntor on a Morris
base complete with an elevating
roof or a 1920’s steam powered
Stanley! And, of course, lots of
lovely VW buses covering all six
generations, several of which won
awards in the informal show &
shine. I was pleased to see both of
the two buses that stood out to me
were chosen – a lovely 15 Window
deluxe Split with immaculate
Dormobile interior and Paul
Wallace’s gorgeous red custom T5.