When planning our annual summer event, we work hard to ensure a high quality variety of new exhibitors and stall holders are in place, in addition to the familiar and faithful stall holders that join us year on year - our aim being to achieve something special and exciting for visitors attending the English Country Garden Festival.
For this the 8th year of the festival taking place on 1st and 2nd of June - we are really pleased to have a number of brand new additions coming along to the show, and we feel certain the line up is going to be warmly received by all.
I caught up with Dave Fry from the Tamar Historic Transport Club whose members along with their classic, vintage and veteran cars, are joining us this year as a great asset and display, for all of our festival visitors to enjoy.
Here’s what Dave had to say…
Q. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be involved with the Tamar Historic Transport Club
A. My name is Dave Fry and I am the club chairman. I first joined the club about 10 years ago now after attending a rally at Callington with my classic car.
Q. What do you most enjoy about being a member of the club?
A. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of our club, but my favourite activities would have to be attending rallies as a group and the weekends away we organise, stopping at many lovely locations all over the Westcountry.
Q. How long has the club been established, and how many members does it currently have?
A. We started in 2002, and today we have in the region of 103 members, many of which are joint members. As a club, I am proud to say that we have raised over £28,000 for various local charities.
Q. Is club membership for the young at heart with time on their hands? Tell us a little more about your members demographic?
A. It’s true, we do have many members who are retired, and most of them still young at heart! We are currently trying to recruit younger members and have been successful in welcoming a few. I am mindful that we need more “young blood” to carry things on when some of us are too old to continue. Attending shows and rallys is a good way of meeting new people.
Q. How many vintage and veteran cars do you own?
A. My wife and I are proud owners of two classic cars.
Q. Which vintage car do you have on your wish list and why?
A. An Austin seven is pretty high on my wish list, however my ultimate car would be an Austin Healey 3000 – it has always been my dream car.
Q. The summer must offer a number of fun and interesting days out for your members, can you share a particular highlight for you this coming summer 2019?
A. The Garden Festival at Coombe Trenchard is one we are particularly looking forward to of course, but a couple of my personal highlights would be The Crash Box Club event at Powderham Castle and the West Somerset Railway Vintage Rally near Taunton.
Q. Garden festivals, summer shows and vintage cars seem to work rather well as a mix – what are your secrets when it comes to getting the best out of attending a show?
A. I think it is important to get involved with the visitors attending the shows and take time to discuss and explain things about our vehicles. Many of us enjoy the involvement with the general public, and this works really well to establish a good rapport.
Q. We are thrilled to be welcoming the Tamar Historic Transport Club to our English Country Garden Festival on 1st and 2nd of June this year. What are you most looking forward to about the festival and fair season, and what will visitors to the festival be able to discover about the club?
A. Show season gives us all the chance to show off our pride and joy. Hopefully by getting out and about we will be able to recruit some new enthusiasts to join our club as we get chatting to them and tell them more about The Tamar Historic Transport Club and our vehicles of course. We are very much looking forward to the Garden Festival at Coombe Trenchard, our first visit to such a lovely house and gardens, hopefully we’ll all have the chance to explore it whilst we’re there.
If you have any further questions you would like to place with Dave do feel free to email him on thtc@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01579 351177, or of course come along and say hello in person at the Garden Festival on 1st and 2nd of June!
Our thanks to Dave, and the Tamar Historic Transport Club members for coming to join us this year. We are really looking forward to seeing the cars set up throughout our gardens and grounds, which will be quite an impressive sight I’m sure.
Ladies if you happen to lose your other halves during our festival this year, I have a feeling we might know where to find them.
See you all in just under 4 weeks.
Sarah x
