‘Pride & Joy’ – A Car Show with a Difference From a Model T Ford to ‘His & Hers’ Smart cars, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s first Pride & Joy show on Sunday 23rd May presented a wide range of much loved cars, all exhibited by their proud owners.
On a warm and sunny day, over 70 vehicles were on display at Havenstreet Station, with every vehicle being someone’s ‘pride and joy’! “The concept was really very simple”, said IW Steam Railway Events Officer Liz Tagart, “Anyone owning a vintage or classic car, or even something contemporary but a little unusual, was invited to come along and display it for others to see. We didn’t mind whether it was in pristine condition or still needed lots of TLC – if it was your pride and joy you were invited, and we certainly had a wide and varied selection!” With the Railway expecting about 30 cars, over 70 were on the show field by 10am, with just about every car marque represented. The Steam Railway presented the ‘Best Car in Show’ prize to the Lacy Family from East Cowes for their 1965 restored Split Screen VW camper van.
They were presented with a print of the Steam Railway’s own ‘pride and joy’, steam locomotive No. 24 ‘Calbourne’. Also among the exhibits were a pair of ‘his & hers’ Smart Cars exhibited by the Railway’s General Manager, Peter Vail and his wife Sandra. A handful of vehicles from the Mainland also swelled the numbers – The Kent Morris Minor Group who were visiting the Island, had a range of Morris Minors on display in the Station yard and on the Show field. Elsewhere around the site, there was an autojumble, and of course steam trains operated throughout the day for visitors and exhibitors to enjoy. “Each year the IW Steam Railway stages around 25 special events alongside our normal steam railway service, but this was our first Pride & Joy Show and proved to be a hit among vehicle owners and the visiting public”, said Liz Tagart. “We will certainly be repeating the event in 2011 and we have already fixed the date as Sunday 22rd May 2011”. The IW Steam Railway’s next special event is this coming Bank Holiday weekend – The 1960s Event will be held on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st May. For further information on the IW Steam Railway please go to www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
