Hungerford Arcade held the first of this year’s West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club events outside of the Arcade which was a huge success. People travelled great distances to come and enjoy the sights and sounds of these wonderful vehicles and have lengthy chats with the owners.
Mike & Colleen Kent, organisers of the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club with their wonderful Rover Vanden Plas
Mike and Colleen Kent organise these shows for the Arcade which take place twice a year. The next one is on 25th September 2017 so put a note in your diary and come along
June Crooks’ Classic Land Rover which goes to shows all over Europe with Gary and his very rare military fuel tanker. You will see them at the Poppy Appeal in November or possible at the next Classic Car Show in September
One of the Club’s members, Gary Crook’s Birthday happened to fall on the same day as the show and so his wife June, organised with Graham Keirl who has an French bread and cake stall at the Farmer’s Market, to surprise Gary by presenting him with a small cake complete with candle. Everyone lined up to sing Happy Birthday to him much to his embarrassment, but as cats’ choirs go, it was brilliant!
Alan, who is a member of the Club and also a stallholder at Hungerford Arcade, specialising in dinky models and railways, brought his stunning Austin Healey Sprite to the show (affectionately known as a “Frog-eyed Sprite”).
All eyes were on a classic Porsche sports car which had been completely restored. It looked and sounded amazing. It is quite a rare car so not many people had ever seen one.
It was a wonderful to see the mini’s roll-up in convoy. There was a Mini Cooper rally car, owned and driven by the Lugger brothers.
The red mini is named Mini Mouse by her owner and has the mouse everywhere inside and out, even on the number plate. It is done very tastefully and looks fantastic. A very much loved Mini.
The owner of the silver mini was thinking of selling it but could not quite make up his mind. I do hope to see it again in the September show.
Then we had Martin’s stunning 1980’s Dennis fire engine which is well known for raising money for the WBCVC charity, “Help Us Beat Blood Cancer”. The club itself raises tens of thousands of pounds each year for this wonderful cause.
Jaguars are always popular at Classic Car Shows and this one was no exception. It is a Daimler Jaguar XJ6 which is as luxurious as any top of the range car that you will see (even by today’s standards). It looks as if it has just left the showroom – beautiful!
The cutest little vehicle in the world arrived, the ex Post Office van in its original livery. Everyone adores it and love to have their photographs taken inside or outside of it.
Next up was a stunning Hillman Husky Estate (also known as the Hillman Imp Estate). As you can see, it is in immaculate condition in its blue livery.
Steven Berry phoned from Chippenham and asked if he and his wife, Noi could bring his classic Aston Martin along to the show. Excitedly, I said “of course” and they arrived soon after in their gleaming dark blue Aston.
Steven and Noi got to do some shopping while they were here and two more very happy people left Hungerford and the Arcade that day.
Steven & Noi Berry with their beautiful, classic Aston Martin
