I’ve just hot-footed it back from Bingley Hall in Stafford, where British Mini Club staged its annual Mini Fair the County Showground. Hot-footed is perhaps an inappropriate expression given that it was about -5°C and there was a light dusting of snow first thing in the morning. Yet despite the most treacherous of conditions, Bingley was full to bursting – proving once again two things: first, Mini owners are clearly bonkers and nothing will stop them getting to a good show - neither weather nor distance - especially if it’s to get that latest part for their compact pride and joy; and second, that the classic scene appears to be in rude health.
While this is a relatively small show in the calendar, it’s good to see it following the trend capped off last year with record attendance at the NEC Classic Car Show.
It’s heart-warming to see in these current challenging times that people are still out and about enjoying their classics, be it out there driving them on the open road, or tucked up with 17 layers on restoring a project to its original glory.
Despite the Arctic conditions during the final weekend of January, it was fabulous to see so many classic Minis on show at BMC’s Mini Fair. And don’t think they were all taken up on the back of fully-enclosed trailers. I spied several on my way home, doing battle with the M6 and taking everything the elements could throw at them.
So if you haven’t ventured out yourself yet, then I certainly hope you do soon. It’s a great way of catching up with fellow enthusiasts, talking to specialists or tracking down that elusive spare part or upgraded component for your classic. This coming weekend is the 1st Great Western Autojumble, which would be traditionally the Bristol Classic Car Show; but as that event has its new home over the first bank holiday weekend in May, there’s a ‘Brucie Bonus’ at Shepton Mallet’s Royal Showground. And for plenty of other gatherings, rallies and shows, scan our events diary on p97 which has 100s of ideas.

Phil Weeden, Editorial Director