An extravagant weekend
The Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza at South Cerney Airfield (GL7 5QD) will be taking place on August 4-6. This gigantic weekend has been running near Cirencester for almost half a century and we've been on several occasions; more than 1000 vehicles are promised.
Billed as a family event with plenty to keep everyone entertained, there's a live arena, free vintage bus rides, birds of prey displays and much more, including our favourite attraction of all: ferret racing. There's much more besides, as you'll find at glosvintage extravaganza. co.uk.
GOLDEN OLDIES ON THE LOOSE
Can't wait until November to watch lots of really old cars going for a drive? Then you're in luck, because following last year's very successful inaugural Summer Veteran Car Run, the event is set to be repeated this year on July 20. There is a small catch though, because while around 400 pre-1905 cars do the traditional London to Brighton run, the summer alternative is open to just 25 participants. They'll be leaving the RAC's Woodcote Park clubhouse near Epsom to drive around the lanes of Surrey, before returning to the start point. RAC chairman Ben Cussons comments: ‘With the sun higher in the sky, the Summer Run is a far more relaxed and sociable gathering.’ Find out more at veterancarrun.com.
A COMMON BOND FOR ALL
There are relatively few classic car events that have acquired legendary status, but Classics on the Common is one of them. This annual mid-week event that's held in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, was launched in 1994, and it's fair to say that it has grown more than just a bit since then.
One of the organisers is John Murray, who comments: ‘Classics on the Common was the brainchild of classic car enthusiasts John Tibble, a local landlord, and Peter Madden, a Harpenden resident. The first year’s show attracted
125 cars, but in 2022, our 28th year, nearly 1100 classic cars, motorcycles and scooters arrived on Harpenden Common from all over the UK.’
In 2009, Harpenden Village Rotary Club assumed responsibility for organising and running the show, then in 2016 the charity Rotary in Harpenden took over. Since that first event in 1994, more than £350,000 has been raised for local, national and international charities. Last year £40,000 was raised, with £33,000 collected in 2021.
John adds: ‘The event is open to any classic at least 25 years old, but some vehicles attending are from the start of the last century.’
The entry fee is £12 per car, but you can pay £17 to be in position from 11.30am; pre-1930 vehicles get in for free. To see how you can be a part of the event, which is on Wednesday July 26, log on to classicsonthecommon. com.
DON'T BYPASS NEWBURY
Steve Beeson got in touch to explain why you need to be at the Newbury Show
