FOR the third year, St Peter's, Harold Wood, in
Chelmsford diocese, has held a car show in support
of the London Air Ambulance. When they first planned one, four
years ago, they could not have imagine how successful these shows
would become, one of the volunteers, Chris Van-Holby, says. This
time, there were more than 2000 visitors.
Held in the grounds of Redden Court School, some 250
immaculately shiny cars wereon display. They ranged from family
cars of past decades, including Fords, Humbers, and Wolseys,to
up-market Jaguars, Rolls-Royces, and Bentleys. There were car club
Stags and MGs, through to exotic cars such as a Zimmer Golden
Spirit, a Mercedes-Benz SLS, and a Ford GT40 replica.
Yet admission was only £2, including the show guide, and 50p for
children. Nor was it just for petrol-heads. Mr Van-Holby tells me
that, for the children, there were a bouncy castle, a train ride,
face-painting, and a 60-foot inflatable obstacle course - not to
mention a live band.
There was one 15-minute shower of rain, which meant big crowds
for the craft tent and Christian bookstall, but it all went very
well indeed. And, during the show, the Air Ambulance sped across
the sky to a serious accident, reminding everyone what the £3500
raised by the event would be used for.