Transport lovers have a wheelie great time

9:02am Thursday 15th May 2008

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FAMILIES, friends and vehicle enthusiasts gathered on a glorious day in the War Memorial Park for this year's Basingstoke Festival of Transport - one of the local highlights of the year.

Spectators of all ages lapped up the sun and ice cream while admiring more than 800 classic vehicles on show, including cars, motorcycles, buses and fire engines, all polished and sparkling in the welcome May sunshine.

One of the many stand-out motors belonged to John and Katy Pearson, of Harrow Way, Basingstoke.

Mr Pearson, 64, said: "It's great to see so many people here. We didn't used to have this and I think it's good for the town."

He explained that in 1958, he spent £10 and 10 shillings on his 1936 Riley Kestrel and sold it 11 years later. In 2000 he found, and bought, the classic car again for £9,000. He said: "I've spent £22,000 bringing it back to the condition it was in 1936!"

Den Osman, of Buckskin Lane, Buckskin, Basingstoke, standing next to one of his five fire engines, said: "This is my full-time hobby!"

Sixty-year-old Mr Osman had two engines on display on Sunday, and is part of the Fire Service Preservation Group branch in Odiham that attends various events in the area and raises money for the benevolent fund.

Basingstoke and Deane's new mayor Councillor George Hood and his mayoress wife Davina were also on hand, giving out prizes in various categories and enjoying the festival, which was one of their first official engagements as first citizens.

Cllr Hood said: "It feels like coming home, as I spent 29 years working at Thornycroft, so I'm familiar with the vehicles, and it's nice to see so many of my old colleagues and friends. From humble beginnings, the show has grown into this fantastic transport show."

Two friends left their other halves at home and brought their children to eat ice cream and enjoy the festival.

Thirty-nine-year-old Wilton Bennett, of Melrose Walk, Popley, Basingstoke, came with his son Jon-Marc, who is almost two, and friend Morris McGlashing, of Boyce Close, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, who brought his two-year-old daughter Taylor Simone for a fun day out.

Mr McGlashing, 40, said: "I'm not that keen on cars, but it's nice to show the kids the old ones."

"My son's had a wonderful time - it's his first proper outing and I think this is his highlight!" said Keith Farmer, 41, of Cotswold Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, with his eight-month-old son Jude, looking out of the window of a fire engine.

Chris Tree, one of the founding members of the Thornycroft Society-run show, said: "It's been a tremendous day out with beautiful exhibitions.

"The show is based on commercial vehicles, but we invite classic cars and tractors, stationary engines, and emergency vehicles - it's open to everybody."

He explained that it takes the committee of 10 people about nine months of planning and organising to set up the show and exhibitors come from all over the country. He estimated that about 18,000 visited, and took part, in last Sunday's event.

You can order The Gazette's Festival of Transport photos online at basingstokegazette.co.uk/photosales