Page 12 - Transporter Talk Issue 144

Transporter Talk No 144
MAVIS THE MARAUDER MAKES A GETAWAY
In December, Club member Glenn George from Dartmouth, Devon, alerted us to the fact that his trusty 1973 Bay Window Devon camper “Mavis” had been used as a getaway vehicle during the heist of a security van during a Pirate Festival! This was not the usual getaway that Glenn was used to; he preferred the kind that involved camping!
However there was no need for alarm as “Mavis” was used for lming an episode of BBC1’s “The Coroner”, now in its second series and with an episode titled “Pieces of Eight”, “Mavis” provided the perfect cover for a robbery during Lighthaven’s Pirate Festival and Glenn has given an account of his experience below.
It started with a phone call from Adam at AJs VW in Paignton (where Mavis has been serviced for 43 years), Adam told me that he had been asked if any of his customers had an old camper and were willing to take a couple of days out for lming in and around Dartmouth. As I work just a few miles over the river in Brixham I thought this sounded like an interesting proposition so I agreed. The next few weeks I spent speculating what would be involved, as it is BBC policy to not give too much away. I asked around if anyone knew of this “Coroner” series, as I must admit I hadn’t heard of it myself
When the day nally arrived I headed o to Bantham and was quite impressed with the military precision that had gone into the planning of the day. I was sent a list with details of all 70+ people and where and when they all had to be. I arrived at 9am and found an assistant Director who fetched a couple of wardrobe assistants. I got a bit nervous at this point, but it wasn’t me they were going to dress up, it was Mavis! At this point I was concerned with what they might do to her, but they assured me that they would clean her up afterwards. She was to be dressed as a Pirate Van, she looked a bit funny but they were very gentle.
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