THE 38th BVAC HISTORIC VEHICLE EXTRAVAGANZA
THIRLESTANE CASTLE,  LAUDER - 5th & 6th JUNE 2010


A gorgeous morning on Saturday 5th June saw over seventy vintage and classic car owners, many with passengers and navigators, gathered at Thirlestane Castle for the start of another Scenic Tour of the Scottish Borders.   Several of the competitors had camped overnight in the Castle grounds.   The pleasant weather lulled competitors and organisers alike into thinking that the 38th Annual Historic Vehicle Extravaganza would be a repeat of the weather-blessed 2009 event.

The enthusiastic participants were each given a rally plaque provided once again by one of our valued sponsors, Advanced Signs of Galashiels.    Departure was at one-minute intervals flagged away by our host for the weekend, Captain the Hon. Gerald Maitland-Carew assisted by the tour organiser, committee member, Ian Lindley.



(left) Signing on for the Scenic Tour.  (centre) The 'Sporting Bears' Heinkel bubble car ready to start and
(right) The 1982 2CV Citroën 'Charleston' of John Littlewood starting the Tour.   (BVAC Pictures)


(left) A Triumph Stag preparing for take-off.  (centre) The 1957 Austin A35 of Mr D Glass, Edinburgh, about to start.
(right) The 1936 Bentley 3½-litre of Mr D Berry, Cleveland, ready to start the tour   (Pictures: Dennis De'Athe)


Steel Horse warming up for the Saturday Night Gig  (Picture: Dennis De'Athe)

Following the Scenic Tour, which took the participants through several delightful and well-known Borders beauty spots, the day ended with a fantastic evening performance by 'Steel Horse' in the grounds of the Castle.   All who attended agreed that the show was a fitting end to a very good day.

On the Sunday, despite the disappointing change in the weather with rain forecast for later in the day, entrants, traders and the paying public, flocked to Thirlestane Castle for what turned out to be a truly wonderful day.   The following pictures are just samples of the wide variety of attractions at the show on Sunday 6th June:-



(left) A few of the many trade stalls and  (centre) Stalls with tempting food on offer.
(right) Yet another Aladdin's Cave of autojumble.   (BVAC Pictures)


(left) Another well-stocked trade stall.  (centre) The Gasket Man! and
(right) Yet more autojumble!  (BVAC Pictures)


Madame Suzaner would tell you your fortune!  (BVAC Picture)


A Volkswagen 'Deutsche Bundespost' Van seen on a car club stand!  (BVAC Picture)


(left) A fine display by the Morgan Club.  (centre) An impressive line-up of Ferraris
(right) The Triumph Stags celebrating their 40th Anniversary.  (BVAC Pictures)


The Volkswagen Schwimmwagen of Club Members, Rosemary & Robert Scott
in the impressive Military Vehicles Display  (BVAC Picture)

The Craft & Gift Fair stall holders within the marquee had quite a busy day, as did those traders who elected to establish their stalls outside.   The Bouncy Castle and Punch & Judy for the children were also kept gainfully employed.

On the hard standing in front of the Castle, the Sporting Bears, supporting the children's charity REACT, were in party mood and the resultant income from the offered 'Dream Rides' was pleasantly surprising considering the continued deterioration in the weather.   The following pictures attempt to show just how popular these added attractions happened to be.


Stallholders displaying their wares within the Craft & Gift Fair Marquee.  (BVAC Pictures)


(left) Quality framed-pictures, prints and artwork on display.  (centre) The
'hand-knitted' stand outside the marquee and (right) The busy Bouncy Castle.  (BVAC Pictures)



The Sporting Bears Recruitment Office  (BVAC Picture)


A Porsche setting out on a Dream Ride for one lucky lady.  (BVAC Picture)


   
Flyin' Ryan in full flight and jumping through the flames.  ( Pictures: Dougie Johnston Photography)



John White & Family's tableau winning the Appropriate Dress with Vehicle Award  (Picture: Dougie Johnston Photography)


   
(top left) Sandra, Lucille & Helen provided vital refreshments all day.  (Picture: Margaret Fairburn)
(bottom left) Here's one young fellow who will not wash for days!  (Picture: Dennis De'Athe)
(right) Children presented flowers to Mrs Maitland-Carew.  (Picture: Dougie Johnston Photography)

So, just what is this page failing to show?   Well, there is no picture of the Birds of Prey in action, although the two performances fascinated the spectators as equally as Flyin' Ryan's spectacular jumps and leaps through the flames.   No picture of the Punch & Judy Man or the Display of Agricultural Vehicles and Machinery.

The huge display of Military Vehicles in their compound and the Edinburgh MGOC/MGCC's prize-winning One-Marque Stand certainly deserved a picture each.   But there was so much to see and so much to do!   Must do better next time!

But, after the crowds had departed, the loyal and willing Club members and helpers started the enormous task of clearing equipment and returning the grounds to an acceptable state.   Understandably, this took several days!   Such a pity that the two items of plant on display by a local sponsor, shown below, could not have been used to clear the grassed areas.   Still, you can't cover everything!


Designed to follow The Lord Mayor's Show  (BVAC Picture)