Last weekend, we packed up and headed for the fields above Whiston in Rotherham to take part in Dub Odyssey 2025, hosted by the Sheffield VW Owners Club. The show has expanded into a four-day VW festival, with early birds arriving as soon as Thursday to make the most of the summer sun.

Unfortunately, our regular work commitments meant we couldn’t enjoy the sunshine on Thursday and Friday. We set up our stall on Thursday evening and returned after work on Friday to catch the last of the evening rays before the wet weekend arrived.

And wet it was! With rain forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, turnout understandably took a hit, both from visitors and traders. It was disappointing to see a number of trade stalls left empty by businesses that chose not to show up, leaving the trade field quieter than usual.

But despite the downpour, the VW community spirit stayed strong. We caught up with friends and fellow enthusiasts, and the camaraderie and smiles made up for the soggy conditions. A highlight of the weekend was the ‘Brave the Shave’ fundraiser hosted by our friends at Ely’s Army, which took over the entertainment marquee on Saturday afternoon.

Later that evening, the marquee came alive with fantastic live music from Northern Lights, a brilliant cover band that had everyone singing and dancing until the late hours.

Sunday’s Show & Shine still drew an impressive display of vehicles, even if the weather kept a few treasured classics undercover. Congratulations to all the winners, including:

• Best in Show – Andy Massey (Grey T6 Transporter)
• Best T1 Beetle – Darren (Orange)
• Best T2 Split Screen – David Trowell (Green & White)
• Best T2 Bay – Brian Mears (Green & White)
• Best T25 – Sarah Stephenson (Brown)
• Best T4 / T5 / T6 – Andy Massey (Grey T6 Transporter)
• Best Air Cooled Other – Gary Clarke (White Type 3)
• Best VW Water Cooled – Andrew Bamforth (Red Mk1 Golf GTI Cabriolet)
• Best VW Modified / Custom – Jess Vasquez-Lovell (White Caddy Pick-Up)
• Best Vintage / Other Non-VW – Rob (Purple Audi Cabriolet)
• Best Interior – Andy Nuttall (Silver T5 Transporter)
• Best Rat / Rust – Barney Alvarez-Tapia (Green Karmann Ghia)
• SVWOC Special Award – Yorkshire Beetles Club (Mohamed Elawadi)

Well done to everyone who braved the weather and helped keep the show buzzing!

It might not have been the sunniest show of the season, but Dub Odyssey remains one of our favourites. Rain or shine, we’ll be back again next year.

Words by: Andy Hayward
Photos by: Katie Hayward