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Sunday, 01 July 2018 08:33

Best ever Barnet Classic Car show

Written by Nick Jones
Classic cars arriving at the Army Reserve Centre in St Albans Road in support of Armed Forces Day Classic cars arriving at the Army Reserve Centre in St Albans Road in support of Armed Forces Day
A joint display of classic cars and vintage armoured vehicles drew record crowds to the fifth annual Barnet Classic Car show at the Army Reserve Centre in St Albans Road, Barnet.

Classic car enthusiasts and army reservists from the Barnet area joined together to celebrate Armed Forces Day and to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund.

The reserve centre’s parade ground provided an ideal location for a display of well over 40 classic cars and motorcycles alongside a range of military vehicles including a Land Rover used by the Honourable Artillery Corps for ceremonial duties and heavy-duty army lorries.

Diane Nightingale, classic car show organiser, and Brian White in his 1931 Singer JuniorThe only hitch was caused by roadworks near the Red Lion public house which slowed down the procession of classic cars up Barnet Hill and along the High Street towards St Albans Road.

Chris and Diane Nightingale, long-standing organisers of classic car events, were delighted by the turnout and the offer to hold the display on the parade ground – a far more spacious location than the area around Barnet Market and the bandstand.

 


“The Army Reservists were keen to help and by linking up we have been able to put on our best-ever show.

Quite a few vintage cars came along at the last minute, once the owners heard the show was taking place.”

“The Army Reservists were keen to help and by linking up we have been able to put on our best-ever show.

Major Andrew Balchin, officer commanding of the Barnet 240 Squadron Royal Logistic Corps, 151 Regiment, said he was sure the Reserve Centre would be happy to co-operate again and mount another joint show on Armed Forces Day next year.

The Barnet centre is home to around 50 Army reservists who all have civilian jobs. Major Balchin is a teacher at Cranborne Primary School, Potters Bar,

“Reservists provide a link between the regular army and the civilian community and we are keen to raise awareness of the military in the public eye, so joining up with a classic car display gives us a chance to show the public the Army’s capability.”

Major BLance Corporal Senol Hussein, and a friend’s ice cream vanalchin and Chris and Diane Nightingale were both full of praise for all the hard work done behind the scenes by Corporal MacLeod of the regimental recruiting team.

Leading the procession of classic cars up the High Street was Graham Paddon’s Jaguar Silverstone and in the rear was Chris Nightingale in his Mini-Cooper in Aston Martin racing green (registration POP 22).

 

 

Mr Nightingale, now a part-time lecturer in mechanical engineering, helped his father convert POP 22 and his wife Diane says the car is his “pride and joy”.

One early arrival was Brian White in his 1931 Singer Junior, which cost £150 when new.

Various attractions were laid on the by reservists, including a display of continuous cycling.

One of the reservists, Lance Corporal Senol Hussein brought along a friend’s ice cream van and did busy trade in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund.

The crowds were entertained by the local group, Hokum, led by harmonica player Ian Gibson from Sebright Road.

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