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Event Report by Andy Briggs

The Kentish Hoppers of 2CVGB once again held a camp on a beautiful site in the picturesque village of Preston, this year making it a longer weekend from Thursday to Sunday. As before, the rally was co-hosted by the rather mysterious groups SCUM (Southern Citroen Utility Movement, i.e. the classic commercial vehicles) and SCABBS (Southern Citroen Ami Berline & Break Society).

Weather forecasts were not the best, and worsened alarmingly as the weekend approached – many would-be attendees probably thought better of it, reducing anticipated numbers somewhat.

Nevertheless a really enjoyable time was had by all intrepid visitors, and happily, costs of the generous facilities (including plenty of portaloos which remained functional and fragrant to the last) were covered in the end.

Things got off to an excellent start with a nice variety of vehicles arriving on the first day – a number of 2CVs, Ami 8, AKS400, H van, H pickup, Lomax, and DS Safari with period caravan.

Gradually from Friday onwards a good many other 2CVs appeared from various local groups in Kent and Sussex, and from as far afield as Luton, Colchester, Nottingham and even Chester.

Notable and much admired vehicles were a 1969 H fire engine undergoing a fine restoration and sporting a superbly designed and executed camper interior, a beautifully restored 1976 drum brake 2CV6 in uncommon but correct Bleu Petrel, and a particularly well-appointed Lomax. As ever there was a great deal of interest in all and sundry 2CVs, from beautiful standard-specification examples to scruffy runners and modified or unusually painted cars.

Also, as before, there were a number of other cars in various states of preservation permanently stored elsewhere on site – including a sound but derelict 1957 ripple bonnet 2CV, a 1962 Ami 6 saloon which after some reassembly work gave several astonishingly bouncy demonstrations around the fields, and a newly arrived DS saloon.

A good-sized marquee was much appreciated in the evenings, not to mention saving the day as the weather closed in. Musical entertainment provided over the weekend was popular in the form of some great old sixties 45s played on a period Dansette, and a guitarist at other times.

On Saturday more people arrived, and a convoy took off via a beautiful scenic route to an Antiques and Automobilia Fair near Deal. Miraculously the weather just about held for the outing but the rain gradually intensified, becoming torrential at times, and later gave way to high winds (a couple of seasoned seafaring types reckoned Force 7) resulting in the dramatic demise of two tents, and the cancellation of a promising “Concours d’Inelegance” or “Shedfest” lineup of cosmetically challenged cars. Indomitable spirit prevailed however – the marquee was lashed down, the barbeque went ahead and things livened up with the ‘SCUM BUCKET’ lucky dip, a raffle and a welcome repeat of last year’s spontaneous Kazoo Orchestra, with painfully hilarious results continuing well into the night.

On Sunday morning, after all the extreme weather endured, most people understandably wanted to wend their way home on the early side – a convoy to Dover Transport Museum had been scheduled, but in the end was postponed to later in the year when a barbecue and outing day is being planned. As if to taunt, the sun came out later in the day! Oddly enough the lowering skies had made for some wonderfully dramatic photographs.

All in all spirits were resolutely not dampened, the weekend was unanimously judged a success, and enthusiasm is higher than ever for continuing next year.

Andy Briggs 14.8.2006