BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring – 8th June 2025

Words and Pictures by Scottish Chapter Coordinator, Ken Graham.

This year was our 3rd visit to this show, which features around 1000 Classic Cars and Vintage Vehicles of all shapes and sizes. We were delighted to find ourselves in a fantastic location, in the area of the main field in front of Thirlestane Castle itself. Our previous two visits had seen us in a slightly more remote spot (probably due to us being relative ‘Newbies’), and the organisers, I’m sure, want to see how committed and involved new Car Clubs are.

We had decided to camp, having enjoyed the show and the surrounding area last year, we wanted to explore a little further afield on the Saturday before the show proper on the Sunday. On arrival, we were delighted to see fellow member Kevin Dodd had managed to get a cancellation pitch right beside us in the campsite with his VW campervan! Kevin was going to do the ‘Scenic Drive Out’ on the Saturday, which we had done last year – the scenery is wonderful!

First night camping was interesting, as we discovered our relatively new airbed had sprung a leak, necessitating some middle of the night air pump use (apologies to fellow campsite users!), and a Saturday morning visit to Galashiels Argos!! It’s all part of the fun… so I’m told!! The rest of Saturday we spent exploring the stunning Borders countryside, although it was a rather wet day and we were slightly nervous for Sunday as the show is located on a large grassed area which could turn particularly muddy. The rain returned on Saturday evening, scuppering my intended visit to the local pub. However, miraculously, it dried up overnight and remained dry for the entire duration of the show!

Our fellow Figaro Club members arrived on Sunday morning and we set up the stand awaiting the arrival of the public when the show opened at 11 am – as usual, we were inundated with visitors asking all the usual questions (Is it a Fiat?; What’s that, an arial? – The parking stick!) Again, our wonderful members engaged fully with every visitor, which resulted in a lovely surprise later in the
day – more on that below.

The parade ring was busy with displays and Car Clubs till around 1 pm, when the announcer asked for any other Car Clubs that may wish to show off their cars – never one to miss an opportunity, I hightailed it to the parade ring and sought the announcer out. After explaining who I was, he said he’d be delighted to have us in the ring – I asked what time, thinking in half an hour or an hour, and he said, ‘Well, 5 minutes ago would be good!!” Cue a sprint back to the stand and asking (telling!) everyone to ‘Start up their vehicles’! All but Kevin and his wife Fiona were there, so he received several missed calls from me, and, fortunately, Fiona told Kevin, ‘Ken’s called, we’d better get back to the stand!’ – fortunately they made it and could join us in the parade ring for a few circuits and a chat over the microphone from me explaining the Figaros to the assembled crowd.

On the way back to the stand, another member, Ann, was stopped and handed a rosette for ‘3rd Placed Car Club’ – the surprise I mentioned earlier! Ann was gobsmacked, and it was all the more thrilling to discover we were 3rd out of no less than FIFTY-THREE Car Clubs!! This award was a testament to the continued commitment of our members who never leave anyone looking at the cars without at least asking if they need any information.

I also took the opportunity to tell the announcer that our cars would be 35 years old in 2026 and how nice it would be for us to be featured in the parade ring again, and maybe be recognised at the event for that anniversary. As I spoke, the chap next to the announcer said, ‘That won’t be a problem, just give me your details!’ – and introduced himself as the Chairperson of BVAC! (Borders Vintage Automobile Club)

So, roll on our 2026 Birthday Bash at Thirlestane Castle!!

THANKS
Thanks again to Carol; Mervyn & Mags Epsworth; Fiona & Les Reid; Libby & Trevor Welsh; Ann Wardrop, Kevin and Fiona Dodds. Credit to everyone for our award!

Published on 8th June 2025

BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring – 8th June 2025

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