Helmingham Festival of Classic & Sports Cars – Sunday 4th August 2024

Words and pictures by: Eastern Chapter Coordinator Adam Woods

One of the first events we attended after lockdown restrictions were lifted was the Helmingham Festival of Classic and Sports Cars! After three years it was great to return again with the club for 2024! Helmingham is a Grade 1 listed moated manor house built around a courtyard in late medieval / Tudor style, begun by John Tollemache in 1480, and which has been owned by the family ever since. The surrounding formal gardens and park are Grade 1 listed too.

This year in the Eastern Chapter we have organised club attendance to a few shows, and the Festival is particularly enjoyed by members, as there’s a good range of craft stalls, beautiful gardens to visit, and plenty of other distractions alongside the huge array of cars that attend this event year in year out. We had to finalise our attendance a few weeks ago, and were very conscious that last time we had found that the space we were allocated was a little tight – not least because Figaro doors do open quite wide. But the lovely folk at Helmingham remembered our feedback from a few years ago and kindly agreed to make sure that we would have enough space! Another good thing about visiting Helmingham with the club is that it’s great value for money with an entry for two adults including access to the beautiful gardens, being just £12. Of course, attending with the club also means being around for a good chunk of the day, but fortunately, there’s plenty to see and do.

“Our final numbers were 6 cars, so we all met at 8.30 at services by the A14 about 15 minutes from Helmingham so that we could drive over in convoy, and have enough time to get things set up, ahead of the event starting at 10 am. As always, Figgy folk are so lovely, and together we managed to get the cars in position, the gazebo erected, and the decorations up in time to welcome our visitors.”

Part of attending a show is the pleasure of being able to chat with all the lovely visitors who come to curiously wonder at the Figaro’s … either that, or declare their undying love for them – which is completely understandable of course! This occasion was no exception of course! But, even more importantly, it’s lovely to share these experiences with fellow Figaro owners! Sharing tips and tricks of course, but also just having the chance to have a natter, which is just as important!! Oh, and cake, people brought cake – which was very tasty indeed! The last time we attended we found out afterwards that we were runners-up to winning Best Car Club, so we hoped that our Japanese themeing would secure us the win this time. Sadly they didn’t. A club of BMW owners won instead – perhaps they celebrated with a collective turning on of indicators… Who knows!

But that wasn’t going to dampen our spirits… And neither was the occasional light shower! All in all, we shared stories, had a laugh and showcased our Figs to the lovely visitors. A lovely day with lovely people.

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