Giving classics a spin at West Berkshire pub

The late arrival of the summer sun drew a good turn out of enthusiasts giving their beloved classics a spin in the countryside on Sunday afternoon for the informal meet of classic cars and motorbikes at the CAMRA award-winning Bell Inn at Aldworth.

Making a impressive entrance - and rare appearance - was Brian and Lily Martin’s 1937 Part 2 Riley Sprite. “I built it from photographs,” said Brian, from Didcot. “It took a few years - it’s one of only three they built in Paris to race in France in 1937, 38 and 39. The original bodies don’t exist, so I had to work from photos.”

The Blundy family from Thatcham, John, Barbara and daughter Karen drove over in their Jaguar Mk 2 they’ve owned for eight years, taking the opportunity to pop in to see The Bell’s landlady Heather Macaulay who grew up with Barbara.

Brian Dovey from Hermitage, who has looked after his 1996 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit for all of its 28 years, remarked “It’s very nice to drive, but maybe not in these lanes,” while John Morris from Woolton Hill was enjoying the first run in his Sunbeam Tiger after a four-year complete re-build. “The only thing I didn’t do myself was the paintwork… look at that - it’s like a mirror! I didn’t want to risk an amateur job.”

Tony Cooper, too, was proud of his complete rebuild, from a bare body shell, of the 1986 Mk 3 Ford Capri, which he has owned for 27 years and had driven over from ‘just down the road’ at Compton.

Keeping it in the family was Simon Neal, with Archie, aged 18, in their 1922 Vauxhall D Type. Although he has only owned it for a year, it was previously Simon’s father’s car. “He’s had it for 20 years - it’s been a labour of love keeping it running and I’ve carried on doing the same thing.”

And among the motorcycle contingent were Harley Davidson owners Mark Ferris with his Dyna Wide Glide, owned for 10 years and Steve - just Steve - with his 2008 Fat Boy that he’s had from new.

The event attracted a long queue to the bar that stretched some 50-deep down the lane outside for several hours as people enjoyed watching the arriving cars from Minis to marques, over a pint or two and hundreds of the pub’s signature filled rolls.