About Essex Hmva Homepage
Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association
Preserving our military heritage for future generations.
Essex Hmva Homepage Description
Formed by historic military vehicle enthusiasts in 2014, the Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association (EHMVA or Essex HMVA),
Charity number: 1155705 was born from members of the Essex MVT who wanted to expand on what we did as a group and to secure the future of our annual show . This led us to believe the only long term solution was to set up an organisation which would focus on its local members foremost and which gave us the chance to offer more to them with a better level of support. We had overwhelming agreement at our club meetings for this change, so a new organisation was born. We intend to increase member activities as we get fully established.
The Essex HMVA has a membership whose vehicles range from push bikes, jeeps, land rovers, lorries, artillery and tanks. Historic Military Vehicles are in demand for fetes, shows, living history displays and film work. Members vehicles and equipment date from WW1 and WW2 through to relatively modern examples such as Chieftain tanks. We also welcome non vehicle owning members who may take part in living history or are military collectors. See our membership page for more details on how to join.
The Essex HMVA supports the areas British Legion fund raising activities, supplying vehicles as a backdrop for their fund raising collections and for the local Normandy Veterans association. Particular attention is paid to ensuring the authenticity of vehicles, equipment and displays to ensure that all our events are of educational value for members of the public and to ensure that the younger generations are aware of our heritage. We also attend visits to schools to assist in education by reinforcing the concepts taught in key stage 2 of the National Schools History Curriculum.
Our member's historic military vehicles have appeared in many films, TV series and documentaries including The Monuments Men, Danger UXB, The Dirty Dozen, Patton, Full Metal Jacket and Band of Brothers. In addition to taking part in many shows and displays over the South of England every year Branch members have participated in the D Day Normandy Anniversary and VE Day commemoration events taking part in parades in England and France.
Ex-military vehicles are obtained from various sources including military surplus auctions, scrap yards and farms where they have been abandoned after their useful days were over. Having acquired the vehicle the process of restoring it to its former glory begins, this is no easy task, when years of wear and weather have taken their toll. Most military vehicle restorations are undertaken after stripping the vehicle to its component parts, each piece repaired or replaced if original parts can be tracked down. This process takes many months or even years of hard work and research to ensure the restoration is as complete and authentic as possible.
The association holds its own annual show, held at Chigbourgh Road, Hullbridge Maldon Essex, where visitors have the opportunity to see historic military vehicles and equipment, re-enactors, model displays, vintage and modern aircraft, arena events and flying displays. The show attracts ex-military vehicles and aircraft from all over the UK as well as from Europe. This is all organised by members and trustees, and we always welcome new volunteers.
For more information on this years' show see the show's website Military & Flying Machines
We also hold the winter gathering for members in January, nicknamed the "Bum Freezer". You can come along with or without your vehicle. As well as this, we attend many events throughout the year.
The Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association holds regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Bell Public House, Woodham Ferrers, Essex CM3 8RG at 8pm. Anyone interested in membership is more than welcome to attend. Ownership of a historic military vehicle is not required. See our membership page on our website for more details
A copy of the Essex HMVA's aims can be viewed there as well as our rules and show terms.
Join today via our website!