|
Digger met Tim and Jane Bussell
who run The Pure
Nostalgia Classic Car and Retro Show event in Essex. Tim is a
devoted classic car enthusiast and Jane loves vintage and
retro fashion. Each year their main Classic Car &
Retro Show is held in June, at The Lawn Historic Country House,
Rochford, Essex.
The
Classic Car & Retro Show features all manner of classic
vehicles from every decade of the golden age of
motoring up to 1970.
Digger: What's your background Tim?
Tim: I run an established
design, advertising and printing business and my wife Jane works
for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. We travel to a lot
of classic car events and it seemed to us that something was
missing. Many of them
consisted of just old cars in a field with a burger bar
for snacks! We thought that classic car and retro fans deserved
better. So we decided we wanted to do this properly, attract a
lot of quality classic vehicles and include retro
attractions, whilst keeping it at an affordable price for
all to enjoy.
Digger: Can you tell us more about the show?
Tim: We invite people to register
their cars,
either
through our website or the old-fashioned way by post. We
attract vehicles from the early part of
the century up until the late sixties – we have a
cut-off on cars after that period. As well as the classic cars we have
vintage stalls and retro attractions of all kinds, live music and
dancing with many people dressed in vintage clothing.
Digger: You’re actually in a good
place geographically and there’s quite a retro thing going on
in this part of Essex, isn't there?
Tim: Yes, we have a good rural
location, but we’re still close to a lot of large urban areas like
Basildon, Southend and Chelmsford, with good links from London
and the rest of the south-east via the M25.
Digger: What types of cars are at the
show?
Tim: The quality of the cars on show
is high. We have been very fortunate with the
show in the last two years and expect this to continue in
future. If you look at some of the vehicles in our gallery
on the website you’ll see what I mean.
Digger: What are the prices for entry
and for entering a car into the show?
Tim: Registration of a car at the
show is £10 which gives free entry to the driver and all
passengers, public entry for the day is £5 per
person.
Digger: How long has the show been
going?
Tim: This is our third year in 2012.
Digger: I noticed that C4's Countdown's
Rachel Riley was a guest at the show last year.
Tim: Yes, Rachel is a
celebrity who does a lot of work for charity and she is great fun. We’re hoping Rachel will be
supporting us
again this year.
Digger: What are your retro passions?
Tim: Jane and I enjoy classic cars
and all things retro.
Classic Car &
Retro Show - Classic
cars from the bygone years of motoring,
Vintage Fashions & Apparel, Automotive Art, Side Shows &
Stalls,
Refreshments, Music & Dance.
Digger: And what are the best things about running the show?
Tim: I love to see people enjoying
themselves, dancing, eating, drinking and socialising, of course seeing the
gleaming classic cars arriving and people
dressed in period clothes.
Digger: I know that you are very much
involved with dementia charities?
Tim: Yes, Jane’s father
unfortunately developed
Alzheimer’s and we were able to get him a much-needed place at
a local dementia respite centre.
In order to give something back, we decided to
raise funds for that charity via our event. The charity we
support is Peaceful Place,
which aims to improve
the lives of people with young onset dementia and those that
care for them in South East Essex.
Digger: What sort of comments and
feedback do you get about the show from exhibitors and
visitors?
Tim: All very positive. People
tell us they love the show and the venue– we have been very lucky with the
weather in the past two years and people enjoy a picnic by
their classic car.
The show continues to grow each year in terms of visitors and
attractions.
Digger: What plans have you got for
the future of the show Tim?
Tim: I want the show to simply be the best
of it’s kind in this area.
Digger: I suppose it must take a lot of planning and preparation?
Tim: Yes, six months of
work to get the show organised.
Digger: And then on the day of the show
itself I don’t suppose you really get a chance to take in
what’s happening?
Tim: It's usually
pretty hectic on the day, but it's so worthwhile to see an
eclectic mix of classic vehicles plus people
enjoying the music and retro atmosphere.
Digger: What else can we expect for
2012?
Tim: More great cars, more
vintage stalls, more live music and dancing, retro-themed
catering, a Pimms bar plus cream teas on the lawn. We're going to be bigger and
better than ever in 2012. Don't miss it. Put the date in your
diary now.
Our aim
is to raise money for charity, through your enthusiasm for
classic cars and all things nostalgic...
|
