Club experts step in to stop councils weighing in on enthusiasts enjoying historic vehicles at meet-ups
SPECIAL REPORT
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has contacted Chichester District Council (CDC) about its decision to ban a club from meeting in one of its car parks – and it’s not the only place where classic gatherings are at risk.
Manhood Classic Car Club (MCCC) has more than 400 members and has been meeting at the East Beach Car Park in Selsey on the third Sunday of every month since October 2010. But then the local council ordered them to stop last December.
MCCC chairman, Leslie Payne, told CCW: ‘A CDC solicitor contacted me re-affirming that we were in breach of their rules and our use of the car park was seen as criminal trespass.
‘We are in limbo at the moment while we wait for Chichester District Council to decide on a policy for their car parks’ use for meets or events to take place. We are planning some drive-outs in the area culminating at a local vacant field and more than 300 vehicles from ours and other clubs showed their support on 18 February and drove into Selsey in West Sussex where we have been meeting since 2010.’
The Federation’s intervention comes in the build-up to Drive-It Day, a nationwide celebration of classics on 21 April in which enthusiasts are encouraged to show off Britain’s motoring heritage to the public by taking their vehicles to informal runs and meets.
Legislation director Lindsay Irvine said: ‘The Federation’s concern is obviously with any restriction on the use of historic vehicles and it has written to the council both to express concern at the handling of this matter and to request that the situation is regularised as quickly a
