Sleaford Vintage Vehicles Rally to Classic Car Show to Historic Car & Motorcycle Show A Brief History 1993 to 2000
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EVENT SINCE ITS INCEPTION
IN 1993
It all began in the summer of 1993 when a small group of Boston
Classic Car Club enthusiasts sat down over a pint of beer and
sandwiches and made a decision to display up to 50 of their treasured
classics in the Sleaford Market Square. At that time very little
in the way of organisation was required. Clearance from the local
District Council for the use of the Market Square car park for
a few hours on a Saturday afternoon was all that was needed; the
club members would provide the cars and public reaction would
determine any possible future development..
The show duly went ahead on the first Saturday in September 1993 when slightly less than the planned fifty cars were displayed in the Market Square car park. The public reaction was magnificent, the enthusiasm of both classic car buffs and visitors alike exceeding all expectation.
A repeat show was organised the following year, achieving a similar positive public response. This inevitably led to more head scratching as to how improvements could be achieved in the planning of future events. During the early part of 1995 North Kesteven District Council was in the early stages of developing a programme of events aimed at encouraging residents of the outlying districts to visit Sleaford to let them see what the town had to offer.
Accordingly, an officer of the North Kesteven District Council was appointed to co-ordinate the 1995 and subsequent events. It also became clear at that time that any further development would require more space. Arrangements were therefore made to include the Eastgate car park as part of the venue and open up the car entries to enthusiasts other than those who were members of the Boston Classic Car Club.
For the next three years, up to and including
the 1998 event, the number of historic cars had greatly increased
and the inclusion of motorcycles added further interest. Planning
of the 1999 event was to bring about more significant changes
which it was hoped would further develop the enthusiasm of the
general public to come into Sleaford.
THE 1999 EVENT
Following an extremely successful yet depressingly damp show in September 1998 a decision was made to transfer responsibility for organising the 1999 and all subsequent historic car and motorcycle events from the District Council to a group of local historic car enthusiasts.
Following on from that decision a team of six enthusiasts together with two District Council officers accepted the challenge and began work early in January of 1999.
The composition of the committee formed following the 1998 event was:
Ken Cardy - Chairman, Doug Vince - Entrant
Administrator, Dave Brown - Chief/Co-ordinating Judge, Richard
Glenn - Marshals and Prizes, Len Harris - Trade Stalls, Harry
Thorpe - Parade, Caroline Hotchin - Sponsorship and Administrative
Support and Nick McManus - Committee Secretary and Advertising
There is no doubt that new brooms do make a difference when organising
events of this type, and by that it is not meant that changes
made to an existing organisation are necessarily for the better.
However, the District Council officers gave us an excellent start
by arranging sponsorship with local businesses and other commercial
organisations. That initial effort provided the necessary finance
to procure essential equipment, overhead cover being decidedly
a "must" following the experience of the 1998 event.
Changes to the organisation of vehicle arrival on site, entrant
plaque design and in particular, the improved display of prizes
all combined to provide the basis for what was hoped would be
a highly successful 1999 event.
By the end of August everything was in place and all that was needed was some good sunny weather on the day. Our prayers were answered when the day came, it being one of the hottest and sunniest of the year. On display were 170 historic cars in the Eastgate car park and in excess of 60 motorcycles in the Market Square.Certainly, the number of enthusiasts and visitors had increased from previous years and all reports following the event indicated that by far the greater majority had enjoyed a wonderfully satisfying day and could look forward to the Millennium event the following September.
THE MILLENNIUM EVENT 2000
Planning for the Millennium event scheduled to be staged on Saturday the 2nd September 2000 began in earnest with a meeting of the full committee on the 24th November 1999. There were a couple of changes to the composition of the Committee. Debbie Scott came in to replace Nick McManus as Committee Secretary and Advertising Administrator. In addition Bill Rogers and Charles Nunn joined the team with the aim of improving the motorcycle display.
On the down side we lost Harry Thorpe who had responsibility for the parade through the town. This aspect of the event forms part of the opening ceremony and acts as a taster, hopefully encouraging shoppers to visit the event once their money has been well spent. Again there was no admission charge for visitors.
We did not forecast any dramatic changes this year; however, as well as the cars and motorcycles we would again have the Sleaford Concert Band perform for us on the Eastgate Green. Even those with only a minimal interest in historic vehicles should not miss the opportunity of hearing a mix of the very young and the more mature amateur musicians exercising their skills for the benefit of the public This orchestra has only been formed within the past two years and Mike Lock and his colleagues have welded this group into a highly polished team whose performances have thrilled audiences wherever they have been.
Further attractions included the operational flour milling watermill located some 300 yards from the Eastgate car park at Cogglesford Mill. Milling demonstrations would be undertaken at regular intervals throughout the day. It was also planned that the Lincolnshire Motor Museum display some of their vintage vehicles including a very early double decker bus which was to provide short sight seeing tours around the town.
Other attractions included trade stalls
providing both hot and cold refreshment together with auto-jumble,
charity bingo and lucky dip challenges.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
11am Historic car & motorcycle parade through the town
11:15am Opening address by Clare Frisby of BBC TV Look North
11:30am Judging of historic cars & motorcycles begins
11:45 -12:30am Sleaford Concert Band on Eastgate Green
12 Noon Milling demonstrations begin at Cogglesford Mill
2 - 2:45pm A second performance by the Concert Band
4pm Prize giving presentation at the Eastgate car park
4:30pm Event closed
The 2000 event was a tremendous success, the weather was kind and nearly everything went according to plan! With the newly established Farmer's Market also taking place (relocated from the Market Place to Money's Yard Car Park for this occasion) the town was really buzzing.
The winners in the 2000 Sleaford Historic Car & Motorcycle Show were : CARS Pre 1945, sponsored by Hockmeyers Motors, Mr P Redshaw's Austin 10/4 (Runner up : Mr Mitchell's Austin 7 saloon) 1945-1960, sponsored by Sleaford Motor Company, Mr R Butler's Chevrolet Belair (Runner up : Mr F Bailey's Jensen 541R) 1961-1975, Mr M Dearling's Jaguar S Type (Runner up : Mr V Reedman's RR Silver Shadow) post 1975, sponsored by J T Lord & Sons, Mr R Rushby's Austin Healey (Runner up : Mr C Rayfield's Chevrolet Camero) Pre 1976 Sportscars, sponsored by AC Williams of Ancaster, Mr B Brand's Austin Healey (Runner up : Mr A Partridge's Ford Capri) Commercial Vehicles, sponsored by Hockmeyer Motors, Mr M Coulson's Morris Sun-Tor Previous winners class, Mr N Geeson's Bentley R Type (Runner up : Mr P Horn's Austin pick-up) Triumph Cars, sponsored by Rimmer Bros. of Lincoln, Mr P Leeson's Triumph TR7 (Runners up : Mr G Stephens' Dolomite Sprint & Mr D Pattrick's TR250) Car of The Show, sponsored by Sleaford Pride, Mr R Parrish's Ford Thames Trader BIKES Pre 1945, Mr J Nealey's Motosacothet (Runner up : Mr A Wareing's BSA C10) 1945-1975, sponsored by The Solo Club, Mr M Green's BSA C10 (Runner up : Mr J Rear's Norton Dominator) Post 1975, sponsored by Sleaford Chamber of Commerce, Mr J Whittingham's BMW K1 (Runner up : Mr C. Nunn's BMW K1100LT) Previous Winners Class, Mr G Allen's Sunbeam 7 (Runner up : Mr M Fox's Honda CB 400) BIKE of The Show, sponsored by Sleaford Pride, Mr D B Walsh's Triumph T100SS Best Club Stand : The Chevrolet Corvette Club The Treasure Trail Competition, organised by Sleaford Youth Centre Winner : Kate Woolley Runners Up : Ross Bolton & Mrs Pyart Chairman's Challenge Competition, organised by Ken Cardy SHCMS Chairman Winner : Neal Wilson
The committee for the 2000 event was led by Ken Cardy, ably assisted by Doug Vince as Entrant Administrator & Treasurer. Sadly both left the committee after the event, Ken to take retirement and Doug to pursue his developing career as an artist. The remaining members were joined by some new enthusiasts and set about organising the 2001 event.