West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club’s annual show poised to reach £200,000 fundraising target for Blood Cancer UK

Hundreds of petrol heads gathered at Newbury Showground at the weekend to enjoy a large display of classic vehicles and raise vital funds for a cancer charity.

West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club’s (WBCVC) annual classic vehicle show on Sunday featured a wide variety of rare and sought-after cars, bikes and HGVs all the way from mopeds to a 40-tonne recovery truck.

All proceeds from the fundraising event went to Blood Cancer UK.

Thirty years since the show’s first edition in 1993, WBCVC chairman Mike Kent hoped that the “brilliant” 2023 show had finally helped the club reach its £200,000 fundraising target for the charity.

After last year’s event, the total was at £191,000.

Mr Kent presented the chairman’s choice award, which was sponsored by Aldermaston-based home heating oil suppliers JPS Fuels, to Reading resident Bob Tanner for his Ford Zodiac Mk2.

Speaking about why he chose the Ford, Mr Kent said: “I looked at them and thought, ‘which car would I like to go home in?’”

Chairman’s choice winners from previous years include a 63-seater coach and a lorry, with Mr Kent stressing that the annual celebration of motor vehicles doesn’t just focus on cars.

Classic car expert and TV star of Bangers and Cash Sarah Crabtree was present at the show and she gave her award to Andy Jackson for his Mini Traveller.

Her award was sponsored by Thatcham metal fabricator Mettal.

Mr Kent wanted to recognise the efforts of club member Shane Wall who has organised the show over the past eight years.

He said: “He works tirelessly. He absolutely knackers himself and says ‘I’m not doing it again’ and then straight away starts talking about the next year.”

On behalf of the club, Mr Kent also thanked the Sing For Fun choir, Watership Brass, Ray Prior Falconry and TSH Skips from Thatcham.

To see more photos from the day, pick up this week’s edition of the Newbury Weekly News.