Swedish Day UK 2017
Swedish Day 2017 was our 10th event and once again took place at our now established home of Haslebury Mill, a fantastic 19th Centaury Mill with lots of history everywhere you look.
Sunday morning saw us there early to set up the flags and signs before Swedish cars started to arrive. As always, we had the whole of Haselbury Mill at our disposal and needed to try and let everybody know where things were located.
As early as 8.30 cars stared to arrive, although quite a few of their owners had stayed the night before, the sun was out and it was warm and stayed like that during the whole day. All the cars were parked around the very well kept lawn beside the pond. As time went by we realised that we would need to use the fields by the Tithe Barn, a short crossing over a flowing brook. along with the Trucks.
The Saabs, Scanias and Volvos came from all four corners of the UK, and were joined by a few of our friends from other parts of Europe.
During the day there were nine judging competitions
going on. Three were named “The Most Admired Volvo,
Saab and Truck”. Each entrant was given the task of
choosing their Most Admired Volvo, Truck & Saab at
the show. Andy Briggs chose his favourite "Young
Swede" and Paul from livingtrees.co.uk gave an award
to the "Furthest Travelled". Dr Os Reid gave an
award entitled "Best Modified Swede". Mark and Carol
gave an prize for the favourite Mascot. A big thank
you to all the sponsors for supplying the trophies.
The nine prizes at the 2017 show were awarded like
this.
Chris Hamley Saab Specialist sponsored the “Most
Admired Saab”, chosen by the people at Swedish Day
and presented by Chris, went to Barry & Pauline Ray
with their Saab 96 Bullnose
Send Fresh Chocolates “Most Admired Volvo”, chosen
by the people at Swedish Day and presented by Azzy
to Tony & Gillian Whitton and their Volvo 1800
The Tailored Transport "Most Admired Truck" went to
Irene Wittich and her Scania P94D-220.
Andy Briggs Property Services "Best Modified Swede"
was chosen by his daughter Daisy and went to
Algirdas Ulba and his Volvo S40.
The Living Trees "Furthest Travelled" went to Andy
Deans who drove all the way from Fife in his Saab
96.
Dr Os Reid sponsored an award for "Favourite Young
Swede" and Simon Hacking with his Volvo V70 D5 was
chosen.
Mark and Carols "Mascot" prize was presented to John
Green with his collection of Nordic Wooden Chactors
South West Saab's "Favourite Volvo" went to John
Denmead and his Volvo 480ES
Volvo Tuning .net's "Favourite Saab" went to Luke
and his Saab 900S
As well as the nine main prizes we had a competition taking place at TR Autos Gazebo with people being asked to identify 10 parts from Volvo and Saab cars.
Another fun part of the day was a car pull by Volvo and Saab teams and after three pulls the Volvo team pulling my Saab came out the winners.
I would like to thank everybody for supporting this event, the helpers, the 7 sponsors mentioned above, Roger and Minnie for the location and everything they did for us at Haselbury Mill, the internet forums and blogs, my daughter Azabeth, my friends Alex & Isabel for "always" being there. But the biggest thank you goes to all the owners of those lovely Scanias, Saabs and Volvos that came along on the day.
Next years show will be held on Sunday the 13th May,
we are planning to bring back the Saturday night
carvery and, if interest is there, a tour around the
countryside on the Saturday afternoon.
Robin.