BMW CAR CLUB (GB)
SOUTH EAST REGION
Website design by Melvyn Pettit
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2009 ENFIELD PAGEANT of MOTORING
ENFIELD PAGEANT of MOTORING - 23rd TO 25th MAY 2009
The Playing Fields, Great Cambridge Road,
Donkey Lane, Enfield, EN1 3PL
Celebrating 50 Years of the Mini
“Small Car, Big Heart”
2009 Enfield Pageant of Motoring
Photographs and Report
By Melvyn Pettit
It was with trepidation that I watched the weather forecasts the days leading up to the event. For the past three years, the Enfield Pageant of Motoring had been cancelled, due to waterlogged venue. I am happy to report that the event could have been cancelled, but this would have been for sunburn, as the temperature climbed above 27 degrees. I must thank all the club members who took the risk, slapped on the sun blocker, and brought their pride and joy to North London.
With the BMW Sauber F1 Team racing in Monaco with birthday greetings to celebrate MINI’s 50th anniversary: The engine cover branded “Happy Birthday MINI”, the rear wing “MINI turns 50”. At the same time, more than 25,000 MINI enthusiasts celebrating the MINI United Festival 2009 at Silverstone. It was a surprising and interesting display in the main marquee at the 09 Enfield Pageant of Motoring, as the theme was “Small Car, Big Heart” celebrating 50 years of the Mini that weekend. A fine array of Minis from 850 to Turbo-charged, BMW limo and Mini Marcos were on show. In addition, this year’s commissioned pageant model is of white Mini van with 50years logo and Bull’s-eye roundel on roof.
Saturday, normally treated as set up day by most car clubs attending one of the biggest outdoor shows, but this year, it was very hard to see the grass on the vast playing field as the vintage and classic clubs seemed to want to take advantage of the fine weather. I pitched up around 9am and erected gazebo and club banners, pitched tent, etc. Selwyn arrived, but not in his 2002Tii Touring, but in his BMW E36 Touring. This was due to bringing along Pauline Wells and daughter Sarah, not enough room in 02. After a fashion, their tent was finally up. Phone call form Dave Cooke “Stuck on M25”, but on my way. Three hours later, his 1994 BMW 840ci came in view along with partner Marie’s 2004 BMW Z4, with sons Danny and Shaun. They were also going to camp for the three-day event. All settled in it was time to have a first look around the site. The public were out in droves. The auto-jumble was heaving; the crowds enjoyed the arena displays. Vintage clubs did a parade lap, the “No Limtz” motorcycle display team, with rides aged between 8 to 15 years old enthralled the onlookers. The highlight was building up to jumping over five Mini’s lined up end to end, and of course the ring of fire by the eight year old rider! Last in the display area were the steam vehicles, nostalgic sight and smells. These displays were on all three days of event. Saturday evening, Kids wash their hair, with “help” from Selwyn, after B-B-Q and drinks; it was time to make our way to the large picnic marquee where a local band Chambers Street had been booked to entertain the Campers! The Russell Brand look-a-likes could play but not sing.
Sunday dawned, with the whistle of the kettle. Gates open at 7am and more vehicles started to arrive. Iain Hamilton and friend arrived in his 1989 BMW E30 Hartge H27 Convertible. Just a slight bit of “road rage” on the drive up from Portsmouth area to report. Ken Bird and family arrived in his immaculate red 1985 BMW M635. Next club members on site, Graeme Fillmore and Teresa in his silver 1989 BMW M635. Busy morning, Graeme had already been up to the airport to pick up father and brother from their holiday. Richard Head and son Max turned up in his spotless 1989 BMW E30 M3 Convertible. Last, but in no way least was club member Gary Trew-Smith and wife in his black 1989 BMW 635csi. Therefore, our limited space was now full. After a chat to catch up on things, it was time for members to look at the fantastic Automobiles and Motorbikes on display. Take in the arena displays, and for Graeme to pick up some sort after chrome window frames etc for his classic Daimler, ordered on E-Bay and picked up here, for added bonus, the trader also had a door mirrors on his stall. Dave and Marie came back with a set of “BMW family number plates” Dave’s BMW 840ci now had “HIS BMW” and Marie’s BMW Z4 “HER BMW” as joke registration number plates. On the Gold Star Motorbike, display there was a musician who could sing, ringing out some golden oldies on his guitar over the club areas. I spent most day looking around a photographing the fine array of vehicles on display. The “Rodney, I told you we would be millionaires” Trotters Independent Traders BENTLEY van needed a second glance. Late in the afternoon, the Ice Cream sellers had run out! It was soon time for club members to depart, before leaving lining up Iain and Richard’s E30’s for a Photograph.
Monday again awoke with Selwyn’s kettle whistling out. SE Committee member Dave Brentnall soon arrived in his 2004 BMW 320d touring. Followed by Kathleen Butler and partner Ron Sharrad in their BMW E46 320d. Malcolm and Jane turned up in their BMW 1 series sport. Where is the BMW 840ci I asked? Having left a space next to Dave’s 840ci. “I thought would have a little paint job done before show, but unfortunately the BMW 840ci not back in time“ came the reply. SE Vice Chairman Barry and Ann Gordge parked up his 1982 BMW Z1. Showing us his new toy, a Cannon HD digital video camera. Unfortunately a late telephone call from club member Gordon Hyam, he could not come. While parked outside chip-shop a bus had hit the rear quarter of his BMW 330i. The car was not the only problem; his wife was in the passenger seat and suffered severe neck injuries. We all wish her a speedy recovery. Once again, the members looked around the Pageant. This time Marie came back with a “SONS BMW” number plate. Danny picks up his blue BMW 1 series the day before SE Concours on 12th July. So look out for BMW family picture from that event. Barry came back with leather cleaning gear, Selwyn a bag full of gloves and Pauline with confectionary. By the time you have walked around the huge car club and display areas and viewed all stunning vehicles, the time just few by and it was soon time to try and pack all the gear back into my 1994 BMW E36 M-tech coupe and head home. With all the crowds over the three days, I hope that the Enfield and District Veteran Vehicle Trust clawed back some of the losses from previous years, the fine weather sure helped.
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