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Gloucestershire Business News

Over 1,000 classic vehicles on display at festival

Where: Tewkesbury School, Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury GL20 8DF.

When: Sunday, August 18

The Rotary Club of Tewkesbury stage their ever-popular Classic Vehicle Festival at Tewkesbury School Playing Fields on Sunday, August 18.

The event will feature a spectacular display of over 1,000 classic vehicles, from the dawn of the motoring era, to pre-war, post-war, American classics, custom cars, hot rods, supercars, motorbikes, those of historic and engineering significance to mass produced retro run-abouts.

Now in its 9th year Tewkesbury Classic Vehicle Festival is the Rotary Club's biggest charity annual fundraiser which actively raises thousands of pounds for both national and regional charities. Over £125,000 has been donated since its inception.

Organisers are delighted to announce that the Bond, Hannis & Osbourne "Nuthing II Fancy" drag racing car will be joining us again this year and will be on site and firing up at regular intervals throughout the day.

Appearing for the first time is the Zimmer Golden Spirit once owned by Frank Sinatra, one of only 1,500 built. The car was later gifted to fellow Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr and upon his death was gifted to the Las Vegas Museum, where it has resided until sadly the museum went in to administration. The current owner from Kemble has recently had it shipped over from the USA.

This year commemorates the 110th anniversary of the iconic French car manufacturer 'Bugatti' plus, the 90th anniversary of the Bugatti Owners' Club based locally at Prescott Hillclimb. The cars are world renowned for their design beauty and race victories. To honour the Molsheim marque the festival will showcase a special collection of vintage Bugattis.

It's not just cars either...over 200 classic motorcycles will be on display, with all the major marques represented, plus live vintage entertainment courtesy of the Haywood Sisters, dancers, 110+ quality trade stands selling everything from car accessories, autojumble, memorabilia to jewellery and crafts, plus a large dancefloor and a wide selection of catering.

You can even step on board an iconic red vintage 1967 London Routemaster bus which has been transformed into a fully functioning bar with a retractable roof. It came out of service in March 2004 and lives in Gloucestershire and now provides a very quirky service - serving quality real ales from local breweries and all your other favourite tipples.

The annual event is a must-do on the classic car show calendar. It's a superb family day out, whilst raising vital money for worthwhile causes!

Due to the popularity of the event, pre-booking is now advisable to guarantee a space for display vehicles.

Classic cars, bikes, and other vintage vehicles are priced at £5 per vehicle via online pre-booking (driver included), passengers also £5 (on the gate price £7.50). 

Trade stands pitches are 3mx3m at only £30, available to book via the website.

General public admission tickets are now available priced £5 (on the gate price £7.50). Children under 12 years old go free. Visit http://tewkesburycvf.org 

Gates are open at 9.30am for display vehicles and 11am for general admission.

Please note: Dogs are not permitted on site.

To commemorate 50 years of the cult movie The Italian Job organisers are delighted to announce a special Open-Air Cinema Night on Saturday, August 17, to be held the night before the Classic Vehicle Festival. Pack up your deckchairs and join us for a fun-filled evening's entertainment watching the 1969 film starring Michael Caine and Noël Coward. The cult classic is often considered as one of Britain's greatest ever comedy capers famed for its endlessly quotable dialogue and of course that famous car chase!

Fancy dress optional, why not get in to the spirit of the swinging 60s and don some 1960s clothes? the best dressed person, as identified by the Rotary will win a special prize! The film is rated PG, parental guidance advised. (running time: 97mins).

Tickets are £15 per person, limited to 500 tickets, advance bookings only. Children under 3 years old go free. The Italian Job Outdoor Cinema Night is by advance bookings only, visit http://tewkesburycvf.org 

Gates open to visitors 7.30pm. Trade stands and catering on site. Screening begins at dusk.

Please note: Dogs are not permitted on site.

The ticketing provider is the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham. You can book online computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week http://tewkesburycvf.org . Tickets can be collected in person at the box office Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.00pm (not Bank Holidays) or print at home by choosing the Print at Home option. You can also book by telephone on 01242 572573

Thanks to the tremendous success of the Tewkesbury Classic Vehicle Festival event in August 2018, the Rotary Club of Tewkesbury were able to make a number of donations, including £6,000 to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and £3,000 to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

The biggest donation from this year's event will be to the Midlands Air Ambulance.

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