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From quirky to classic, vehicles roll up to West Berks pub




From Rolls Royces, old tractors, Land Rovers, classic collectable cars and motorbikes, a speedboat that can be driven on the road, to a little Czech farm curiosity - traffic of yesteryear turned into and out of the field behind The Bell in Aldworth for several hours from noon on Sunday.

Chat was lively as enthusiasts exchanged stories at the third informal meet of the summer and the queue of visitors waiting to order beer and the award-winning pub's famous rolls at the bar was non-stop until after 3pm, prompting one regular to comment: "It's like the old days. Packed. Everyone polite and patient queuing for service. Such a lovely place at The Bell Inn."

Hampstead Norreys collector of curiosities Ray Prior can always be relied on to bring along a conversation piece - this time a 1963 Čezeta - "basically a Czechoslovakian trike for farmers to use to carry veg". All in its original condition, he's had the scooter for around six years. "You can see one farmer cut a chunk out for his wife to sit," he said. "Then the next one didn't need it and covered it with tin!"

Ray Prior on his 1963 Čezeta, picture Geoff Fletcher
Ray Prior on his 1963 Čezeta, picture Geoff Fletcher
Mike Kowalczuk and his 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson, picture Geoff Fletcher
Mike Kowalczuk and his 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic car meet, Bentley, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic car meet, Bentley, picture Geoff Fletcher
Corvette, picture Geoff Fletcher
Corvette, picture Geoff Fletcher
Brothers Simon and Christopher Beasley's 1938 Fordson N, picture Geoff Fletcher
Brothers Simon and Christopher Beasley's 1938 Fordson N, picture Geoff Fletcher
Tim Wale's 1949 Fordson E27N, picture Geoff Fletcher
Tim Wale's 1949 Fordson E27N, picture Geoff Fletcher
Lucy Wale's Fordson Super Major 196, picture Geoff Fletcher
Lucy Wale's Fordson Super Major 196, picture Geoff Fletcher

Among the considerable number of classic motorbikes, Mike Kowalczuk bought his 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson (produced to US Army specifications, with a 750 side value design and with reverse gear) 10 years ago and rebuilt most of the engine, rewired it and "made it go properly".

And with the pub surrounded by agricultural land, old tractors were very much at home: Reading brothers Simon and Christopher Beasley's 1938 Fordson N has been passed down the family from their great uncle and was fully rebuilt along time ago, although "it could do with a touch up now" and Tutts Clump Cider's father and daughter drivers Tim and Lucy Wale thundered down Bell Lane with his 1949 Fordson E27N which he bought "in a heap of bits three years ago and rebuilt"and her Fordson Super Major 1961, which she's had for two years, refurbished by its previous owner of 20 years. "We go to all the local rallies," she said, "and I'd like to do some ploughing matches this year."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard may be more familiar with the controls of the starship Enterprise, but Philip Gent displayed a photo of Stirling Moss and the Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who had both driven his 1938 Austin 7 Opel Tourer which he has owned for 50 years.

Philip Gent's1938 Austin 7 Opel Tourer, picture Geoff Fletcher
Philip Gent's1938 Austin 7 Opel Tourer, picture Geoff Fletcher
Philip Gent displayed a photo of Stirling Moss and the Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who had both driven his 1938 Austin 7 Opel Tourer, picture Geoff Fletcher
Philip Gent displayed a photo of Stirling Moss and the Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who had both driven his 1938 Austin 7 Opel Tourer, picture Geoff Fletcher
Stylish Rolls Royce at The Bell classic car meet, picture Geoff Fletcher
Stylish Rolls Royce at The Bell classic car meet, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic car meet, Jaguar, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic car meet, Jaguar, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic meet, picture Geoff Fletcher
The Bell classic meet, picture Geoff Fletcher
Is it a car? Is it a boat? Yes... picture Geoff Fletcher
Is it a car? Is it a boat? Yes... picture Geoff Fletcher

Rolls Royces and Bentleys, Triumph TRs and Stags, Porsches, a Maserati and Corvette all took their places among the classics and prestigious marques. How many more gems are hidden in local barns awaiting restoration?

The event was organised by George Simmons from Compton.



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