Chapelton Barton Steam Fair 2008
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All week we watched the poor weather forecast before Devon Traction Engine Veteran & Vintage Car Club's Chapelton Barton Steam Fair, but come Saturday the rain ceased and it promised well. Although Sunday was the first time we have crossed the new Barnstaple bridge and couldn't see the Taw for the mist! Peter (Roadster), Glenn (Spitfire), John (Herald) and Joan (MG 1100) rendezvoued as arranged at Bishops Tawton with Sharon (Spitfire) and George (Mini) and surprise, surprise, Steve in his newly acquired GT6. It looks a good one and will give us a new model to follow as the renovation gets under way. The Show ground had heavy dew and it took a few hours for the sun to break through and when we finally repositioned all together, it couldn't have been better. We paraded in the arena as expected and checked out the attractions. We met a couple of white Vitesse owners, one from outside of our area and another who has a holiday home here and may join us if timings allow. We also made a couple of new contacts who might join in and enlarge our group. Glenn met Barry Pascoe, a past colleague with a Spitfire who has expressed interest in joining us when his car is ready. On Sunday we were joined by two Spitfires, one from Barnstaple, notable in being Mervyn Stoneman's old Spitfire, Midnight, now owned by Tony, which looked lovely - Mervyn having spent £1000's on it before he sadly passed away. It could have won a prize anywhere! The other being Lindsay and Shiela Dearing's Spitfire, which is one of the best in the country and looked fantastic. There were so many cars on Sunday that we formed a square inside the perimeter of the arena and chatted whilst the commentator walked through the line. Darren Groves took some pictures of us (it was great to meet up with him and Michele and we look forward to seeing their Herald once it's restored). The Show was successful both days and should have guaranteed it's existence after the Bank Holiday's cancellation.. We broke up by late afternoon to find our own way home from another great day out with no car problems reported. |
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Saturday |
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 Meeting up in a new lay-by |
 Looking at Steve's new GT6 |
 John's Herald, Joan's MG1100, Glenn's Spitfire 1500, Sharon's Spitfire MkIV, Steve's new GT6 Mk3 and George's Mini (Peter is infront of the Herald with his friend Peter) |
 Triumph Stag |
 Lurch, Callum and Steve by his GT6 |
 Peter's Roadster |
 Glenn's Spitfire |
 A different sort of Triumph |
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 Another Triumph motorcycle |
 BSA |
 Vincent |
 An early recumbent bicycle |
 John and Joan |
 Lined up at the top of the hill. Unfortunately we were partly seperated at first due to the really stupid way the cars a parked with a number in the ground in front of the car. The South Molton Show is far more sensible and gives a laminated number to each car which is displayed in the windscreen. This is far less hassle for the organisers as they don't have to peg the numbers into the ground, and means that groups of cars like ours can park together no matter when they were booked in! |
 George's Mini, Sharon's Spitfire, John's Herald and Joan's MG1100 |
 Lovely Vitesse parked next to Steve's GT6 |
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 Callum |
 Nuffield 460 |
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