Cheers to another classic meet at West Berks pub

Sunday’s unpredictably chilly weather didn’t deter hardy enthusiasts who turned out for the informal meet of classic cars and bikes at The Bell, Aldworth.

The motorcycles outnumbered the cars on this occasion – maybe bikers are made of sterner stuff.

“There’s always ongoing maintenance with all these old bikes,” said Malcolm Arnold, who rode in on the 1959 Matchless G12 CSR he has owned for around 20 years, from Beenham – “If you know your scrambling you’ll know Beenham,” he said.

It was made by ASM (Associated Motor Cycles) at the former factory in Plumstead. Developed in 1958 to capture the lucrative US market, the last G12 was produced in 1966.

Blewbury resident Mike Kowalczuk bought his 1960 Velocette Venom, made in Birmingham, about six months ago from a deceased estate.

“It was a wreck,” he said. “Nothing like this.”

He has replaced the 350cc engine with the original 500 – which “they must have blown up”. A total of 5,721 machines were produced between 1955 and 1970.

Steve Wilson’s BSA M20 500cc was made in 1955, the last year the model was manufactured.

“I’ve had this one four or five years but I’ve had others before – because they’re very reliable – I’ll probably regret saying that now…”

On four wheels, Keith Wren’s 1974 Chevrolet Stingray Corvette is a rare find and, with its 454 big block, manual transmission “not the easiest thing to drive,” he admits.

He has owned the car for just four to five months, but has no regrets about making the deal for it after a previous meet at The Bell – “Well, what’s money worth in the bank these days?”

And of course, Hampstead Norreys’ collector of curiosities never disappoints.

This time he brought along a 1964 hand propelled invalid carriage from Bath hence “the Bath Chair”.

“They were making carriages from 1921 to 1974, but I don’t think the design changed from the 30s and 40s,” he said.

He has owned this one for less than a year and it is all in its original state.

“I can only imagine an injured person tried it out and said ‘it’s not for me’ and chucked it in the shed and left it because all this paintwork is original.”

As usual there was plenty of beer to aid discussion at the CAMRA award-winning pub, including new ales by the Aldworth Brewing Company, situated next to the field behind the pub, where the vehicles gathered.