Cumbria Classic and Motorsport Show – Sunday 18th August 2024

Words and Pictures By Jane Harrop UK North West Coordinator

The event at Dalemain Mansion in Penrith is well established and out of the 800 vehicles on display, there were three Figaro’s. They attracted lots of attention and even though we had decided to have a rota so one of us was always there, none of us were away for long, as plenty of visitors or other classic car owners wanted to chat.

For new member Ewa and hubby Steven, it was their first event with the club after having their Fig for just a month. They took advantage of camping on site but came off the field to meet at the Rheged centre so the three Figaros could travel to the show in convoy.

It was interesting to hear from Karen and David about the 150-mile Rose & Thistle tour they had taken part in the previous day in their Figgy, which had started at Houghton Hall Garden Centre near Carlisle with coffee and bacon butties. Leaving with a minute interval between each classic, the scenic morning route took them to Hexham Racecourse where they were given a bag of goodies for lunch and finished at Penrith Golf Club for tea and cakes late afternoon. The route had taken them on some stunning roads, through little villages to open moorland. At one stage of the tour, they had driven alongside Hadrian’s Wall. Arranged by the organisers of the show, Wigton Motor Club they said were made to feel very welcome and would do it again. For any bystanders, it must have been quite special watching ninety-three classics winding their way along country lanes of Cumbria and Northumberland.

With over 2500 visitors attending the show, there were plenty of trade stands and food stalls. I had a walk up to the café at the mansion where I treated myself to a marmalade glazed sausage roll, not something I had ever had before, it was delicious, and later I had a marmalade ice cream. The connection: The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards which take place there every year!

It was great to meet club members Diane & David, but without their Figaro, which is very much a work in progress, they sent me a photo of its very sorry state (see pictures) when it was given to them several years ago. Only living down the road in Shap, it will be an ideal show for them to attend with the club when it has been renovated.

As always, there are always one or two people who fall in love with our Figaro’s, Sylvia from Morocco was besotted and thought my pale aqua Fig was made for her, especially as it matched her nail polish!