Double LL Vintage Vehicle Gathering

The weekend of July 22nd and 23rd was the Double LL vintage gathering. We had not entered this rally before but as we are members of the club they had ask if we would attend, which we did. This event was held on a well known site to the local people as they have a few events here over the year.

We had decided to go early on the Friday as we would have to travel down the main A3 road which although it’s dual carriageway for some reason cars seem to have a problem going by (but that’s another story). On our trip to the field we did note the lack of posters out to advertise this event until we were at the end of the road where the rally was to be held. On entering the field we were told where to park up and set up camp for the weekend. As the day progressed the other exhibits started to roll in, we were joined by two other steamers these being a Yorkshire Wagon and an Aveling and Porter Roller. This was the first time that steamers had attended this event, so to get three to come and it was the same weekend as Netley Marsh was quite good I thought.

Saturday morning was going well, Victoria was in steam and things were looking good, that was until the weather decided to turn against us. We had wind, rain and thunder and lighting. After a couple of hours it eased off and by this time it was mid afternoon and I think the public had been put off. Sunday was a much better day weather wise and there seem to be a steady stream of public coming through the gate.

There was an array of exhibits ranging from Military, Commercials, Stationary Engines the 3 steamers and a good selection of stalls. As always with the Double LL there were many cars.

This rally seems to struggle each year, they have tried different venues and it never seems to quite work. I think the first thing they need to change is the date, you cannot have a rally like this and not except to struggle with the public coming through the gate as Netley Marsh has been going for years and people go back year after year. The other things is to put up more signs advertising the event, we only saw the ones at the end of the road and a couple here and there which isn’t enough. You need signs everyway and when the event has finished go and pick them up that way ever one’s happy.

All in all we had a good weekend although the field was a bit rough after the Overload Show and the Military vehicles had chewed it up which made it difficult to drive round. We hope that if this event goes ahead next year the weather will be kinder to them and they change the date.