VE Day 80th Anniversary: Vehicles in Hampshire road run

A rare and historic vehicle will lead Hampshire’s VE Day 80th Anniversary road run event.

The Dennis fire appliance from the Second World War will announce the arrival of 60 classic military and other vehicles on Saturday, May 10. The convoy, as a salute to the Greatest Generation, will drive from Southwick, near Fareham, to Basingstoke. The vehicles, escorted by members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch, will leave Southwick at 10am.

The first section of the route will take them along the B2177 to Wickham and the A32 through the Meon Valley, joining the A31 at Alton. Unlike previous years, the convoy will avoid the town centre by taking Whitedown Lane and the B3349 to join the New Odiham Road. A pit stop is planned at Lasham Airfield between 11am and 11.30am before the run into Basingstoke and the noon arrival at Milestones Living History Museum.

This year, seats in some of the classic vehicles have been reserved for veterans, and at least two other guests on the day are survivors of the London Blitz. The road run is organised by a small group of volunteers, including members of the Royal British Legion, with practical support from DGCS Security of Basingstoke, Auto-Signs of Reading, South Coast Cop Cars and Raynet Communications. Donations received on the day will support the annual Poppy Appeal.