Out and About 2025

Our Branch New Year lunch this year was held at the Half Way House on the A6 near Chorley. Forty-two members enjoyed an excellent two course meal with coffee/tea and mints and of course there was the usual camaraderie enjoyed by all. It was great to see a number of new members amongst us for the start of hopefully another great year for the Branch.

For the March monthly meeting of the North West Classic Vehicles Club at Heskin Hall the weather was perfect for a car show, sunny but not too hot, and the early morning frost was soon a distant memory. The marshals were like a well-oiled machine and, somehow, managed to coordinate 161 vehicles into the parking area in front of and to the side and rear of the Hall. There was a steady stream of vehicles coming in and there was genuinely something for everyone: there were classic motorbikes, a V8 Pilot, Lamborghinis, Porches representing many of the decades (including a 74 plate with a rear spoiler the size of a surfboard on the back), TVRs, classic Minis and a few Moggies from the Branch. Branch members were also there in their other classics, enjoying the good weather and the great camaraderie at the Heskin Hall vehicle meets. 

The Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw a special anniversary for the Chipping Steam Fair, as it celebrated 25 years since its start in 2000.  They had a special fly-past of a Lancaster Bomber planned for the Saturday but, unfortunately, the low cloud scuppered those plans and the flight had to be cancelled - much to everyone's disappointment.

There was a fantastic array of exhibits and trade stalls to keep the public engaged as they spent time at the show.  There were a record number of agricultural vehicles entered this year - over 200 pieces of machinery - as well as stationary engines, vintage push bikes, classic motorbikes, military machinery, earth moving equipment (giving an active display over the whole weekend, constantly digging and bull-dozing one corner of the showground), steam traction engines and the mini-traction engines.  There was a terrific variety of classic and vintage vehicles on display, from a 1920's Rolls Royce town car to a 1990's Ford Mustang and lots in between.  Two of our Branch members were exhibiting their 1935 Morris 12/4 and their newly acquired 1975 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and both were getting lots of attention from the public, though not the judges. However, a Branch car, 1949 Low Light MM was given a highly commended rosette and wore it proudly during the Sunday and around the show ring parade.

on both the Saturday and Sunday there was plenty to keep people busy for two days at the show.  Sunday saw the drier weather, for the most part, but there was a cold wind blasting down the field where the classic cars, caravans and trailer tents were on display.  We enjoyed our traditional Branch convoy of Morrises from Sainsbury's in Longridge into the show ground with fellow Branch members. 

Some Branch members attended Heskin Steam Rally which was held on Saturday 31st May & Sunday 1st June.  After arriving on Friday evening members enjoyed a lovely evening in the sun looking forward to a good weekend. The weather over the two days was a little changeable but didn't spoil the show. The rally is in its 32nd year and raises funds for a local children's charity the Rainbow Hub and the event has all the craft stalls, trade stands and vehicles you would expect to see. A brilliant local show.