335 classic motorbikes confirmed to take part in the South West’s largest Festival of vintage transport
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3-5 August 2018 will see the Stroud Vintage Transport & Engine Club (SVTEC) stage their Annual Show at South Cerney Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The show now in its 44th year is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK and attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the country whilst actively raising thousands of pounds for both national and regional charities. Over £180, 000 has been donated in recent years. Whilst the show has evolved a lot, the mission remains the same - to inform, educate, celebrate and preserve our unique transport heritage.
One of the largest displays is the Motorcycle section featuring 230 registered entries representing manufacturers from across the globe from 1911 right up to 2005. Among the marques on display are Honda, Cotton, Meteor, Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Moto Guzzi, HRD, AGS, James, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Baker, BMW, Norton, Velocette, Panther, Francis Barnett, Matchless and Greeves. There will also be an abundance of Lambretta’s to celebrate the mods and rockers era plus the show will play host to the BSA Bantam Club National Rally. Over 70 Bantams will be participating in a motorcycle road run, culminating at the show.
Thanks to the Cotton Owners and Enthusiasts Club the brand will be well represented. In spite of its small size, Cotton scored many impressive victories and captured the imagination of generations of Cotton enthusiasts. Cotton Motorcycles was based in Gloucester and went in to production during the 1920s, at the time it was ‘the bike’ and Willoughby Cotton was the man. The legendary Stanley Woods and star factory rider Fred Morgan were victorious at the Isle of Man TTs. After the Second World War, Cotton launched a new series of road bikes in 1954. In the 60s, the company branched out and made both road and off-road bikes they lasted until the 1980s, marking over 60 years of motorcycle production.
Section leader John Grange said ‘we always try to bring something of interest to all ages and interests, from Veteran to Vintage and Classic. From the smallest Brockhouse Corgi ‘Para’ bike to the HRD Vincent Meteor Series B, from the Yamaha FS1E (my first bike!) to the Suzuki GT750, there will be something to suit everyone’s motorcycling interests. The section celebrates 100 years of motorcycles’.
Show Highlights include:
- Vintage displays of over 1000 classic cars from pre and post war, including over 80 Classic American cars, 30 visiting car clubs, 335 motorcycles and scooters, 70 bicycles from 1903-1980, 30 miniature steam engines, 90 stationary engines, 70 full size steam engines, model engineering, 200 Tractors, over 70 Buses and Coaches, 130 military vehicles, 315 emergency and commercial vehicles, 70 industrial trucks, 50 vintage caravans and over 50 model aircraft taking to the sky above.
- Live Arena with non-stop demonstrations from spectacular Showman’s Engines to dancing tractors plus the opportunity to drive a steam engine and NEW – the Tigers children’s motorcycle display team. Don’t miss the grand parade of miniature steam in the Alec Tanner arena or take a passenger ride on the 10¼ inch scale steam locomotive.
· Vintage Fun fair with fairground organs, 'electric yachts', waltzers, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers' and traditional penny arcade games, plus ‘Chuffy the train’ passenger rides.
· Cotswold Dog and Cat Home will run the popular Dog Show over all three days of the show. Categories include: Scruffiest Mutt, Prettiest Bitch, Handsomest Dog, Quickest Sit, Best Child Handler, Best Rescue to Waggiest Tail. Come and enter your four-legged furry friend on the day for just £2 per entry per class (in addition to show event entry fee) all money goes to help the marvellous animal shelter.
· The Countryside Arena actively promotes animal conservation and features both fun and educational displays from ferret racing, rare breeds, alpacas, shire horses, horse logging, reptiles, bee hive making to Morris Dancing. NEW for 2018 – vulture flying display. Back by popular demand is the hilarious ‘Sheep Show’ - an entertaining demonstration of shearing and sheep dancing - get into the groove with the Sheep Show Shuffle! Plus, the children’s area has traditional vintage funfair games, face painting and Professor Colliwobble with his free regular Punch and Judy Shows.
· Massive Trade stand zone featuring models tents, 2 large craft marquees and over 180 trade stands selling a vast array of countryside apparel, vintage clothes, hairdresser, tools, memorabilia to even a tattoo artist!
· The Living History section will commemorate 100years of the Royal Air Force with a specialist display of ground equipment and uniforms through the eras.
· The showground site is sprawling, but there’s plenty of food and drink ‘pit stops’, a firm favourite is the vintage tea room with regular music and Lindy Hop dancing performances (both days). Live music with vintage songstress Betsy Harmony, performing a delightful selection of 1940s songs plus regular sets by the ‘Steamed Up Brass’.
· Jump4Heroes parachute display team will descend into the arena on all three days of the event. Jump4Heroes is The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team, made up of serving and former members of the Army, to support and raise awareness of the Armed Forces charities.
· FREE vintage bus rides around the showground on all three days. What’s more the Bedford OB hope to set a world record for the biggest gathering of vintage buses on site.
Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (S.V.T.E.C) Martyn Slater, said: ‘Our goal is to give the best value for money family day out in Gloucestershire, with something for all of the family to enjoy’.
The Extravaganza is organised by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club. This non-profit making organisation raises money for national and local charities and up to 30 will be represented on site raising money and awareness of their respective causes. The rally is one of the largest events of its kind run entirely by volunteers from all the corners of Gloucestershire.
