Auboné Braddon was there – indeed he was very much involved with the event – and reports on it.
(All words and photographs by, and copyright, Auboné Braddon).
The Classic Vehicle movement in the South West is certainly full of enthusiasm and this was very evident at KMJ Restorations Classic Vehicle Gathering on Sunday 17th October on the Marsh Barton Trading Estate in Exeter.
This is normally an annual event and held in the large courtyard in front of the KMJ workshops, owned by John and Tina Reed. Because of recent restrictions that we have all had to abide by, the event has not been held since October 2019. In previous years the large courtyard is quite adequate for everyone and has always managed to attract a good variety of vehicles.
This year’s event however was somewhat different. We decided to do more promotion on social media and several Classic Vehicle Facebook pages, just to see what would happen. We were not disappointed. The response from all around the South West was just incredible. Every advert we put up was getting such a response. In fact just a few days before the event it was obvious that the large courtyard would not be big enough, so different businesses next door and just up the road from KMJ were asked if we could use their large parking areas for all the vehicles. Luckily they all said yes.
The day arrived and the first car to turn up was an Anglia Estate all the way from Southampton and from this point the cars just kept coming. What a fantastic variety of vehicles we had. From Austin Sevens to Aston Martins, plus Motorcycles, and some wonderful commercial vehicles too. The largest of these was a six wheeled Mack army lorry. The whole spectrum of motoring was on display. Miniature steam, rallying and ‘drifting’ cars, Vintage, classic and ‘super-cars’. The variety extended right the way through to electric cars and bikes – oh, and not forgetting my vintage Post Office bike.
The event was hosted by John and Tina Reed who have been enthusiastic members of the Ford Anglia 105E Owners Club for many years. The Ford Anglia was certainly well represented at this event and it was great to see so many members of the club and their cars.
We were so proud of our younger members of the Anglia Owners Club who were all school age and in charge of marshalling all the cars in their Hi viz jackets. They also did us proud in the cake making department and ran a home made cake stall at the event to help raise money for the supported charity. The cake stall made over £100 and the whole event made just under £500 for the Ambulance crew that were doing a display for us. It was a great way to get the younger generation involved – so important to make them feel a valued part of the Anglia Club – and they loved it. In addition it is important to note that they will be the classic car enthusiasts of the future, and their interest is essential for the movement to survive.
This was supposed to be the last Vehicle Gathering at KMJ Restorations but somehow I don’t think it will be.
Auboné Braddon
Kim adds: “I had hoped to attend this event but unfortunately couldn’t get there on the day. I was sorry to miss it, but very grateful to Auboné for kindly sending his report on this wonderful classic day out”. 