Bodle Street Green FBHVC ‘Drive It Day’ Charity Gathering & Road Run Raises over £1,500 for charity
The tiny village of Bodle Street Green in East Sussex, saw some 250 + exhibitors turn out for FBHVC ‘Drive It Day’ organised by Peter Love.
The Charity Gathering & Road Run event, was ably assisted by some very experienced marshals and friends. The sleepy village had not seen so many veteran vintage and classic vehicles visit the village hall area before on Sunday 24 April in glorious weather!
The 250 + exhibitors comprised all that make up the FBHVC family came from steam vehicles, cars, tractors, light commercials, 4 x 4s and motor-cycles.
In the village hall were model railways, besides a fine horticultural display including working stationary engines from members of the Weald of Power Club all looking over the wonderful Sussex countryside. With food and licensed drinks available, The Cabin was kept busy all day and with compere David Vaughan keeping everyone informed what was going on, there was certainly a good atmosphere to the event.
At 11am some 52 of the 79 tractors went off on a 13 mile road run which went up and down dale as it travelled around Penhurst and the like.
In the fine 127 + car line up perhaps the highlight was Mr Nutt’s just finished 1907 Stanley 20hp Roadster, which was originally the ex Stanley works back-up car for the Vanderbilt races in the USA. The owner gave many rides around the village to people who wanted the experience of open motoring and steam acceleration in this very important historic car.
People didn’t want to leave when it finished at 3pm after the raffle winners were announced and were still on site until 5pm.
The last to leave was a 1950 Land Rover Series One at 6.45pm after the organiser welded his broken gear lever back to its selector fork after marshal Trevor Manual had stripped it all down for the 80 year old. Colin Anton and Phil refitted it, which involved removing the heater. Great teamwork!
Thanks to the team under Wendy ‘D’ who raised from the raffle £1,500 + for Prostate Cancer UK and Ukraine Refugees which was an excellent amount.
Organiser Peter Love wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for supporting the event, he added: “It was a great start to the season for many and in wonderful weather conditions I really appreciated everyone coming and enjoying all the various vehicles we had here.”
The children and grownups enjoyed the model railway displays in the hall.
Seen early in the morning is the 1949 ex 1952 RAC rally 1949 Allard L with 1926 Trojan beside.
Austin A35 van with 1952 MG TD with tractors and 4 x 4s abound.
The social element is so important at these events.
The tractors take to the roads with Rodney Broadly and his 1966 Ford Pre Force 3000 who travelled from east Kent to the event.
Massey Ferguson 590 represented the 1970s period in tractor history.
1923 Aveling & Porter E type no. 10574 10 ton steam roller arrives!
Two lovely Fiat 500s were all part of the show.
Ex French Ford Model T lorry gets underway.
1921 Morgan three-wheeler fires up and heads for the roads.
1918 Tasker Little Giant no. 1765 chain drive steam tractor called Jolly, which got lost on the way, but finally makes it to Bodle Street Green.
Over 30 motor-cycles including a Brough Superior came to the event during the day plus some mopeds and this BSA single stood out from the crowd.
Organiser Peter Love had one of his Allards out and some tractors.
This Triumph Spitfire looked the ticket and restored by the owner as did the rare Honda next door.
This Triumph Roadster has been restored to concours condition.
The Ford Escort Mk1 with twin cam engine had plenty of acceleration.
The 1953 Morgan carried the Ukrainian flag on its radiator cap.
Alan Cullen and his Weald of Power members did the show proud with a former Bodle Street Green resident on the left who came from Essex especially with his 1934 Fowler stationary engine made at Leeds.
The two vegetarian cake ladies sold out by 1pm!
The blue Austin Healey 100 – an iconic sports car from the 50s, starts on his way home from the show
Submitted by: Peter Love
