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News & Events Tatton 2004
A delightful sight for any Morris~Commercial enthusiast. Dennis Bradley’s pick-up and Davie Ambler’s rolling chassis form a ‘guard of honour’ at the entrance to our display. Both were much appreciated by the Tatton audience, the chassis in particular receiving comments such as “it’s nice to see what’s underneath them”. An interesting aspect of Tatton has always been the variety of non-J-type vehicles that members bring along to share the stand. Marshall tractor, Series 1 Landie, various Morris Minors, E83Ws, a Bradford van I remember with particular affection, a prewar Austin ambulance, a Rolls-Royce and much more has added diversity to our displays over the years. Members often own other vehicles, so why not celebrate this, especially when vans are often off the road undergoing renovation. Long may it continue! I am sure I am right in saying that we’ve never had anything so big and so imposing as John Whitehead’s Leyland Beaver. An impressive vehicle with its load area kitted out with all mod cons, even a shower; this really looked the business towing its J-laden trailer. Also to be celebrated is the achievement of getting four J-types to Tatton that have never been displayed there before. Don’t get me wrong, Tatton has always been a place to meet up with old friends and to sit and chat about life, the Universe and all things J-type, surrounded by vans that we have known for years and without which Tatton would just not be the same. Nonetheless the ‘anorak’ in me likes to see ‘new’ ones too and to mentally tick them off in much the way that train-spotters do with engines. So it was great to see Dennis Bradley’s pick-up wending its way towards our pitch on the Sunday morning. Co-pilot Linda, Dennis’s daughter seemed particularly proud to have made the journey, too! Congratulations on receiving the award, it was well deserved! It must also be ‘mentioned in despatches’ that Davie Ambler put in
efforts over and above the call of duty in order to have his driveable
chassis at Tatton and on display. It reminded me of the many coach chassis
that I’d used to see ferried from manufacturer to coachbuilder with
nothing but a bit of hardboard for driver’s protection. In this case the
front end panels (from the talented hands of Iain McKenzie) were topped
off with an ex-GPO opening windscreen ~ the fact that it opened being a
trifle unnecessary given the circumstances!
The Smith’s van, 8444 UA, reflected in the chrome bumper fitted to Nigel Stanley’s van, 344 CNM .
Dennis Bradley arrives on Sunday morning with his tipper, 749 VRF. The run up from Brierley Hill was the first journey of any distance that the truck had made since the recent completion of the restoration. It was a worthwhile trip, though, as Dennis won the award for ‘Best Light Commercial’.
The J-Register stand in the sunshine of a sunny Sunday morning. Interestingly, with the exception of the pick-up and Davie Ambler’s rolling chassis, all vans on display were just that - vans! No minibuses, or ice cream vans simply standard steel-bodied J-types. J-types in attendance at Tatton this year were: 949 BYY (Ray Kings)
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344 CNM  The ‘Whitehead roadtrain’ sets off home at the end of another glorious Tatton weekend.
YLH 449
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