Some of you may have attended the Retro Truck Show in Gaydon recently (check out our photos from the event) This year, running alongside the event was the Middle East Symposium. Ashley Coghill, organiser of the event, shares his thoughts:
"The Middle East symposium came about after numerous requests from "old drivers" and enthusiasts alike, for me to put on such an event. It was also a great chance for a driver's "reunion" between many of the old Middle East men, some of whom haven't seen each other for 40 years! Alongside that, many enthusiasts, some of whom weren't even born when "The Gold Rush" (Middle East overland run) was in full swing, were at the event to soak up the atmosphere and to meet their "hero's"!
"Throughout the day there were slide shows, old cine film footage and talks from the drivers themselves to give a "snap shot" of how the job used to be. Some of the places the trucks delivered to back then are simply not accessible nowadays due to various political problems, and of course the current war!
"Any truck related event would not be complete without an authentic lunch and the symposium was certainly no exception. A typical Middle East trucker's meal was provided which included authentic grilled spicy chicken and rice, followed by tinned fruit cocktail and Carnation Milk which incidentally, was left on each table to be poured straight from the can, just like it was back in the day!
"300 delegates filled the conference room and judging by the "buzz" at the end of the day, each and every one of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves!"
If you missed out on the symposium and want to get a feel for trucking in the Middle East, why not check out some Old Pond titles on this subject?