Rushden Classic Car & Bike Show

Published on 7th August 2022

This year has also seen us resume our promotional activities as we spent a very hot Sunday in August at the Rushden Classic Car and Bike Show.

The show did not officially open until 11am, so it was quite a leisurely start to the morning with the first ’shift’ starting at 10.30am – well all but Steve Groves who was on site having towed our unit there by 7.30am!!  I was about to set off from home just before 9am, when I saw Steve had tweeted a photo of our unit, parked up, banners up, tables out, tablecloths on and leaflets out!

Steve had told me we were pitch 22 so I was able to find it very easily – being a big white unit amongst loads of gazebos helped!  I had not taken any notice of the stands next door, so I was surprised when Ian Philips, our Associate Officer, leapt out from the tent next door – he had been allocated pitch 21 as he was selling his beautifully crafted woodwork!!  Good news, as we shared our tea/coffee with Ian and his wife Anne, and they shared their hot donuts with us!!

It was so good to talk to members of the public face-face, explaining what we do and the benefits.  We were a little perplexed when so many people with teenagers came up to enquire about learning to drive until it dawned on us that they were reading our Young Drivers banner to mean we were some sort of under-17 driving club!

All the other trade stands had tents or gazebos, whereas we had our big white unit there.  I guess it was almost understandable why people thought from a distance we were the toilets, and were most disappointed when they got closer and realised we were not!  We had quite a few enquiries as to where the toilets were!!

The show was broadcasting music and interviews throughout the day, and they came and asked us if we would like to be interviewed.  We all volunteered Aidan, who was turned out to be a natural and did a great interview – so all those walking around the event have now heard about us!!

There were a lot of visitors from out of the area, some of which had come with their car to exhibit.  We had a number of people interested in doing the advanced test, especially under our Group young driver scheme, but it then turned out that they lived miles away so did not qualify for our scheme (as they would join their own local group).

Thanks to everyone who volunteered to support our stand – Aidan Ward, Alan Brown, Gordon Johns, Vicki Mynott, Colin Mynott, Henny, and of course, Steve Groves.

We will be at Raunds Festival of Transport on 3rd September – contact Steve if you are able to help.