The afternoon sun shone on the gleaming cars and motorbikes turning up to the back field at The Bell at Aldworth for the year’s first informal meet of classic/custom vehicles last Sunday.
The fine weather drew a good turnout to the CAMRA award-winning pub, rammed with enthusiasts with and without their wheels, gathering to share tales about their restoration projects and enjoy the beer and filled rolls on offer.
Among them was Emily and James Milroy, who drove their 1973 MGB over from Kintbury. “We’ve done it up a little bit with a slightly naughty engine. We take it off on holiday every year for a bit of a road trip,” said James. “It’s my fourth MG, but this one’s definitely here to stay.”
Richard Raisey has owned his 1971 Morris 1000 Pick-up for 35 years, while Oscar Hanover has had his 1968 Elan Plus Two for just a year. Having been in storage over winter, he started working on it in March and “it’s been going quite well recently,” he said. “The next little project will be to do all the wiring.”
David Dry from neighbouring Hampstead Norreys lifted the bonnet of the Ford Anglia 105E (available from 1959 to 1967) he has owned for six years to show off its 2-litre Zetech conversion.
James Richardson describes his 1973 Citroen SM, which he’s had for about six years as in “quite good condition” having been previously owned by a Citroen SM Club director, who “kept it well”.
As always there was a good representation of motorbikes, again many passion projects among these classics.
And what Bell meet would be complete without Hampstead Norreys collector of curiosities Ray Prior, who this time arrived on a 1980 Puch Maxi moped. “Almost an everyday drive,” he quipped. “Almost a normal bike for me. Almost…”
The meet was organised by motorbike enthusiast George Simmons of Compton.
