Land Rover Owner November 2021

18 Highlights from the LRO Show 2021 ‘Phew, we did it!’ Well, that was a weekend and a half! The odds seemed stacked against us when it came to bringing the LRO Show to you. Without certainty from the government, we were initially unsure whether it would run - then, if it could, whether there would be restrictions placed on it. And as we got closer to the date, extra coronavirus guidelines had to be adhered to. Added to that, some traders were unable to get stock for the show, others were so busy they didn’t have enough staff for their stands, and a few had to pull out at the last minute as they tested positive for the virus. So much going on. But as we knew there could…

18 Highlights from the LRO Show 2021 ‘Phew, we did it!’ Well, that was a weekend and a half! The odds seemed stacked against us when it came to bringing the LRO Show to you. Without certainty from the government, we were initially unsure whether it would run - then, if it could, whether there would be restrictions placed on it. And as we got closer to the date, extra coronavirus guidelines had to be adhered to. Added to that, some traders were unable to get stock for the show, others were so busy they didn’t have enough staff for their stands, and a few had to pull out at the last minute as they tested positive for the virus. So much going on. But as we knew there could be issues, we added in…

T he early morning sunshine is doing its best to break through the stubborn clouds above Pontypool in Monmouthshire, shedding light on the stunning Rioja Red Defender 110 County Station Wagon that I’ve come to see today. This impressive 110 is standing where thousands of other Land Rovers have stood before, in the main workshop of W Hitchings & Sons. This unassuming, old-school garage business started in 1937, when Andrew Hitchings’ grandfather began renting the premises before buying it outright in 1942. For most of its existence, Hitchings & Sons has been an independent Land Rover specialist, and is central to this superb restoration story, as are Andrew and his friend, the Defender’s lucky owner, Gareth James. CALL OF NATURE After reluctantly selling his last Defender rebuild, it didn’t take…

T he early morning sunshine is doing its best to break through the stubborn clouds above Pontypool in Monmouthshire, shedding light on the stunning Rioja Red Defender 110 County Station Wagon that I’ve come to see today. This impressive 110 is standing where thousands of other Land Rovers have stood before, in the main workshop of W Hitchings & Sons. This unassuming, old-school garage business started in 1937, when Andrew Hitchings’ grandfather began renting the premises before buying it outright in 1942. For most of its existence, Hitchings & Sons has been an independent Land Rover specialist, and is central to this superb restoration story, as are Andrew and his friend, the Defender’s lucky owner, Gareth James. CALL OF NATURE After reluctantly selling his last Defender rebuild, it didn’t take long for Gareth…

1st A hand-pulled ferry carries GARY VINCETT’S XD-Wolf across the Desna River near Mena, Ukraine. Wife Justine and son Alf enjoy the short crossing too. ► ‘This pic really appeals – Gary has taken a moment to capture this quaint river crossing in a quiet corner of eastern Europe that not many of us will visit.’ NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR 2nd You can almost smell the fresh, damp mud and feel the drizzle dripping off the trees as JACK PERRIN’S 1997 Defender 90 300Tdi eases its way along this soggy Cornish greenlane. ► ‘Okay, as a greenlane enthusiast, I’m maybe biased - but this pic sums up everything that’s great about the pastime. Love Jack’s subtly improved 90 too.’ ! NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR WIN! gear in the next issue of LRO…

1st A hand-pulled ferry carries GARY VINCETT’S XD-Wolf across the Desna River near Mena, Ukraine. Wife Justine and son Alf enjoy the short crossing too. ► ‘This pic really appeals – Gary has taken a moment to capture this quaint river crossing in a quiet corner of eastern Europe that not many of us will visit.’ NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR 2nd You can almost smell the fresh, damp mud and feel the drizzle dripping off the trees as JACK PERRIN’S 1997 Defender 90 300Tdi eases its way along this soggy Cornish greenlane. ► ‘Okay, as a greenlane enthusiast, I’m maybe biased - but this pic sums up everything that’s great about the pastime. Love Jack’s subtly improved 90 too.’ ! NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR WIN! gear in the next issue of LRO To browse the full range of gear,…