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Vintage Vehicles at Offham, October 2005
by Fred Baker
Sunday 23rd October, Offham – which is situated about 1 mile west of West Malling – this is one of those events which takes place on the village green, very well attended by a tremendous range of vehicles, there must have been about 200 Vintage Motor Cycles, which were mostly parked upon the green, Steam Lorries, one in the Shepherd Neame colours, now privately owned, but originally used by Shepherd Neame, there were Steam Traction Engines and Rollers, Single Deck and Double Deck Buses and Solid Tyred Lorries, the cars ranged from ' T ' Type Fords to Bentleys clothed in Van-Den-Plas Le-Mans bodies, H.R.G.'s, Beetle Back Bodied Alvis and Chain Gang Frazer Nash, but sad to say, no Alfa's.
Although the event was very well attended in people and vehicle numbers , when I met AROC member, Giovanni D'Avanzo, who arrived in his Fiat, he was very enthusiastic about the event, saying that although he only lived 3 miles away, this was the first time he had ever attended, because the event receives no publicity, he was completely mystified as to how an event of this size, catering for such a wide range of vehicles, that had taken place for several years, had escaped him, and felt as if something had been robbed from his life.
AROC member Carlo Battain was riding a thoroughbred from his stable of exotic Italian Motor Cycles, and it was also nice to see ex - member Glenn Ball, arrive on his vintage 500cc Sunbeam Motor Cycle.
A Shepherd Neame pub, just across the road, a good Hotdog and Beefburger stand, the dogs were so tasty that I queued up for a second helping.
This is an annual do, taking place on the same weekend each year, with people and vehicles just turning up on the day, I have been several times, there does not seem to be anyone in charge, and no organisation, it just seems to happen.
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