Another Classic Success
“By far the Best in Britain” and ” The Friendliest Show Anywhere” were the frequent comments made by visitors to Shetland during the Classic Motor Show at the weekend. With well over 500 entries to delight locals and visitors alike, the Shetland Classic Motor Show was considered another outstanding success.
At least 350 visitors came to Shetland with an enormous variety and diversity of vehicles and machinery to display and delight the audience. Every square foot inside and outside of Clickimin Complex was filled with a huge diversity of all types of vehicles and displays. Every section of display including cars, motorcycles, commercials, bicycles, engines and models had new and amazing displays to offer. The display area had to be extended this year to the north side of the running track to accommodate the steam engines
During the weekend, at least 5,200 people came to see and enjoy the fantastic collection of all types of vehicles, engines, models and motoring memorabilia. This is almost a 40% increase on the record attendance at the last show.
Highlight of the show for many local people were the display of 8 steam magnificent engines, lorries and waggons from the Bon Accord Steam Club in North East Scotland. In addition to the full-size steam engines were two smaller 3″ scale machines recently completed by Mark Sawkins in Gulberwick and another from the West Coast of Scotland. Part sponsorship for bringing the vehicles to Shetland was provided by Northlink Ferries and the coal for burning while they were in Shetland was provided by Buildbase Hay & Company, for which the organisers are most grateful.
Bill Davidson, Chief Executive of Northlink Ferries, the main show sponsors, opened the show and paid tribute to the quality of the exhibits, the show organisation and the thrill of transporting such exotic, extremely rare, and valuable examples of engineering excellence and motoring history to Shetland.
Another new feature of this years event was the two coach tours which came for the show and exhibited their vehicles. Trips on the double-decker bus from Clickimin to the Town Centre were extremely popular and generally full to capacity.
16 very special cars from The Sunbeam Talbot and Darracq Register arrived at the show on Sunday morning to add to the already amazing collection of vehicles. The oldest of these cars was the 1903 Darracq and the ‘newest’ a 1936 Talbot Tourer.
“Cruise in Company” guided tours were organised throughout Shetland for the various category of visiting vehicle and car club. These covered most of Shetland from Sumburgh Head to Sullom over an seven day period, were expertly guided by local enthusiasts and greatly appreciated by the visitors who saw and learned a lot about the islands.
21 local sponsors also supported and helped to make the event possible and over 90 local volunteers were needed to guide the tours and marshal the event and help to co-ordinate parking, etc. The organising committee offer grateful thanks to everyone who put so much effort and enthusiasm into the event.
Speaking for the organising committee, Maurice Mullay said ” Visitor numbers at this years event were well beyond even our most optimistic anticipation. Comments received during the show were entirely positive and congratulatory. So many repeat visitors now come to our show that it is much more of a reunion of old friends than just a display of vehicles. First-time visitors are absolutely amazed at the quality and diversity of the classic vehicles in the isles. Apparently, no other show remotely reaches the number of motorcycles that are on display in Shetland.
The steam engines attracted a great deal of interest at the show and on their road runs. This was a unique opportunity for Shetlanders to see a selection of different types of engine, lorry and waggon and everyone seemed delighted with the sounds as well as the sight of the magnificent machines in full power.
The show website (www.shetlandcms.co.uk) will be up-dated in the next few days and the next Shetland Classic Motor Show will take place on 2nd and 3rd of June 2012″
Drivers Will Hamer and Peter Derry, courier Claire Hamer and 15 enthusiastic guests would like to thank Maurice Mullay and his terrific team of organisers and marshals for making the highlight of our 8 day holiday to Shetland so enjoyable. Everybody was so friendly and helpful and all the folk, young and not so young, who sampled double decker bus rides from Clickimin to the Lerwick Victoria Pier seemed to really appreciate the experience. We carried about 1,400 passengers over the 2 afternoons on 35 trips in each direction. Hopefully we did not disappoint anybody by leaving them behind at any bus stops. Children especially enjoyed the top deck as a unique experience for Shetland. We loved helping a little with the open friendly spirit of the show.
Most of our holiday makers travelled on the Sunday coach trip to Yell and Unst and really enjoyed it. We all had a wonderful Saturday evening of great food and music at The Spiggie Hotel where Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson played fiddle and guitar with world class aplomb. You are lucky to have such talent on your islands.
Other days were spent touring Shetland and Yell in our 1955 double decker and we were welcomed all over. Other classic cars and motorbikes were encountered everywhere. The contribution the show makes to economy, culture and relations with the rest of the UK is great.
Our thanks and appreciation must also go to Northlink Ferries staff and the staff and caterers at The Lerwick Hotel for their hospitality.
Best regards,
Will Hamer, partner, Cumbria Classic Coaches.
I can assure you that WE enjoyed your contribution to the event by bringing the AEC to Shetland.
Well done, glad you enjoyed your visit – hope to see you again,
G.
Thanks for another great show guys…roll on 2012!!!