From small beginnings in the late 1960s, the Great Dorset Steam Fair has grown to become the largest and most well known event of its type in the world. Kim Henson was there again this year for the unique '500 at 50' event… Loved for its huge variety of vintage and classic vehicles (including cars, commercials, military vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles), ancient machinery of all types, … [Read more...]
Events and Days Out
It’s all about having fun at motoring-related events and venues
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2018 – Wheels-Alive was there!
Kim Henson has attended every ‘Beaulieu’ since 1978, and describes this, THE biggest autojumble in Britain. In fact Beaulieu Autojumble is the original such event, the biggest in Europe and widely acknowledged to be the best… (Photographs by Kim, plus additional shots, individually and gratefully acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris Adamson). Enthusiasts (in their droves!) made their way … [Read more...]
Six terrific trips by road in the UK
Six of the Most Memorable Road Trips in the UK Sometimes it just makes sense to fill up the car, pack a few bags and head out to the country. The good news is that, if you’re looking for a great road trip, the UK has some of the best scenery, gently winding roads and invigorating fresh air in the world. Now the team at OSV have created a useful infographic highlighting 6 of the best road trips … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s 2018 Spring Autojumble warms up the season…
Beaulieu’s 2018 Spring Autojumble warms up the season… Kim Henson and Chris Adamson were at this year’s Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. (Photos by Kim, Chris, and courtesy National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, as individually credited). Although not quite as large as Beaulieu’s famous September Autojumble, the Spring event is loved by many enthusiasts who welcome the fact that the whole event can be … [Read more...]
Taking your vehicle abroad? Make sure that you, and it, are fully prepared!
The Motor Ombudsman has a six-point checklist for vehicles and travel this Easter... (Words from Robin Roberts, photograph by Kim Henson). Having a car that is roadworthy and a journey well planned will help avoid any unforeseen delays during this year’s first long weekend. Every fluid and lubricant is critical to components being able to operate efficiently, such as the brakes, engine … [Read more...]
Ferrari: Under the Skin – Enlightening exhibition now on in London
Kim Henson visits a unique exhibition of interest to anyone who likes motoring history in general, sports/racing cars and Ferrari in particular… (All words and photographs by Kim). For most motoring enthusiasts the Ferrari name conjours up thoughts and images relating to speed, style, technical prowess, motorsport success and a unique sporting character. Celebrating all of these aspects and … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s 50th International Autojumble – second top tourism award!
Beaulieu gains further acclamation... (Photographs courtesy National Motor Museum, Beaulieu). Beaulieu’s landmark 50th International Autojumble has won a second top tourism award by winning the Best Event/Exhibition category in the UK Heritage Awards. A panel of tourism industry experts picked the internationally-acclaimed International Autojumble as a shining example of a … [Read more...]
Sun-drenched Dorset Delight
Kim Henson looks back happily on the 2017 Great Dorset Steam Fair… (All words and photographs by Kim, who adds, "Of course this is a motoring magazine website but I have also included photographs of 'non-wheeled' aspects of the Show, hopefully to illustrate its wide appeal to everyone in the family). The magnificent, five day long Great Dorset Steam Fair is a huge annual event that takes place … [Read more...]
Event Report – Beaulieu International Autojumble 2017
Classic car enthusiasts flocked to the National Motor Museum for this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble. Kim Henson, who has attended every ‘Beaulieu’ for the last four decades, reports on this, THE biggest autojumble in Britain – the original such event, and widely acknowledged still to be the best… (With some photographs, individually acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris … [Read more...]
Event News – ‘Lincolnshire Props and Pistons’ (28th August) to help a Leukaemia charity
The sky’s the limit for Props & Pistons! Up to £20 million worth of planes and cars to take centre stage in Lincolnshire Props & Pistons, to feature the classic Jaguar XJ220 for first time at the August 28 Bank Holiday event, and with Bridgestone ,making its presence felt at the event for another year. One of the Midlands’ most popular automotive and aviation shows is promising to be … [Read more...]
Edd China and the Wacky Record Breakers – At Beaulieu
Wacky Record Breakers – out in force at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. By Chris Adamson. Edd China, best known as the technical boffin half of television series Wheeler Dealers, returned to his roots, the world of weird car creations, when he helped to launch a new summer exhibition at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Edd was on hand to meet fans at the New Forest attraction and to … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive’s Kim Henson visits… An amazing collection of classic vehicles at Studio434 in Hertfordshire…
Classics Galore at Studio434... Kim Henson travelled to the Home Counties and counts himself very lucky to have visited a ‘dreamworld’ private collection of 325 classic cars plus 65 motorcycles. He was delighted by the variety of vehicles, the numbers of which are increasing all the time. However that’s only part of the story. Here’s what he found… Hertfordshire is famous for many things, … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s 2017 Spring Autojumble enjoyed in sunshine…
Kim Henson reports on this year’s 24th Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. Wind, rain and cool temperatures are unwelcome visitors for the organisers of, and attendees at, any outdoor motoring-related show. Yet as people arrived in droves on the morning of Saturday 13th May for this year’s Spring Autojumble at Beaulieu, initially the sky darkened, there was a cool breeze and nature liberally sprinkled … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Autojumble Celebrates 50 Glorious Golden Years
Beaulieu’s Magnificent Golden 50th Autojumble. All words and photos, except photos as noted below, by Kim Henson. (With further photographs, individually acknowledged with grateful thanks, provided by Chris Adamson, plus two courtesy of the National Motor Museum). Although at times the weather wasn’t kind, over 36,000 attendees strolled around the hallowed Autojumble fields at the National … [Read more...]
Fresh-faced, magnificent British Motor Museum opens its doors
"It's terrific", says Kim Henson... Located at Gaydon in Warwickshire, the re-named British Motor Museum has just re-opened following a £5.1 million refurbishment, which has taken five and a half years to come to fruition. The work – which was delivered on time and on budget – has included the construction of two new facilities. The Museum is now proud to showcase the world’s leading … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Spring Autojumble 2014; ‘Bring Me Sunshine’
During a beautiful weekend, happy attendees strolled around in warm sunshine on the hallowed Autojumble fields of Beaulieu, on the occasion of the 21st annual Spring Auojumble. Sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine and held over the weekend of 17th and 18th May, the event was buzzing and attracted stalls and buyers in their droves. As well as the fascinating array of stalls selling … [Read more...]
‘For Britain And For The Hell Of It’
New Land Speed Record Breakers display opens at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu – Kim Henson reports… Ever since the dawn of motoring, the quest to achieve the fastest speed on earth has driven people and machines to the very limits of what is possible. The costs and the risks have always been very high, but through generations the rewards for those involved – in personal satisfaction … [Read more...]
Haynes International Motor Museum – Bigger And Even Better!
Improved Haynes International Motor Museum opens Kim Henson was there… For me, it was certainly a case of déjà vu… On a beautiful summer’s day in July 1985, I was as Sparkford, in Somerset, on the site of an old sawmill, witnessing the opening of a brand new motor museum. At that time, the new Museum accommodated just 33 vehicles, donated by Founder and Chairman John H. Haynes OBE (who, of … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2013
A great atmosphere, amidst classic parts and cars galore, by Kim Henson Held on 7th and 8th September, this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble, sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine, attracted a sell-out in terms of fascinating stalls, and some 37,553 visitors flocked to see the classic components and vehicles on offer. The weather was ‘sunshine and showers’, but the rain, when … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Spring Autojumble ‘Fun In The Sun’
The 20th annual Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine and held over the weekend of 18th and 19th May, attracted myriads of fascinating stalls (a record number of 1,069) and thousands of enthusiastic people (a best-ever figure of 16,507, including stallholders). The weather was good for this year’s event, helping visitors to navigate easily their way through the … [Read more...]
