Snippet of a recent article in Mature Times Magazine.
One such gathering is the Thornfalcon Classic Car Meeting which enjoyed its 32nd outing this September. It started with 10 friends, half a dozen interesting cars and a Somerset village pub (and car park). That was 1977: the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee street parties, Red Rum’s third Grand National win and the death of Elvis, allegedly.
The meeting is now at its fourth location, the huge village playing fields at Hatch Beauchamp near Taunton which last year saw attendee vehicles top 1,000 for the first time.
I spoke to first timers, Bob & Ginny Sackley, who drive a very smart red Triumph TR4a and were impressed by the event: “We’ve been meaning to come for years, and have been surprised by the number and range of vehicles – from bikes to trailers and vintage Bentleys and Bugattis to modern exotica like the Aston Martin N400 and GT40 replica. We also love the relaxed atmosphere – no competitions, no fee, just turn up, park, have a picnic and a look around and then leave with a donation to charity and a cheery wave from the organisers."
Whilst there is no fee to enter for vehicles or spectators, the local scout troop gently agitate some buckets for odd change to help their community work.
Garry’s real skill is in keeping all these interested parties happy, and apparently so effortlessly. Having been immersed in motoring all his life - he was for 35 years the Aston Martin Owners Club representative for Somerset, although to look at him he must have started when he was about 10! – means that he has both the contacts and the depth of knowledge required to make it look so effortless. No doubt there’s a lot of work behind the scenes too.
The Thornfalcon Classic Car Meeting really is about as informal as such events get, the locals and the police are happy, and of course so are the hundreds of motoring fans who turn up every year.
Does Garry realise that he has started a classic classic event? “It’s more of a good idea that got out of hand, but in a nice way,” he concedes.
