Large crowds of spectators lined Burnham’s seafront on Saturday night (June 3rd) to watch hundreds of vintage vehicles roll into town during a popular annual Road Run.
A total of 210 vehicles took part in the 13th annual Vale of Avalon Vintage Vehicle Road Run, which involved cars, motorbikes, vans and lorries dating back more than 50 years traveling a 43-mile circular route between Glastonbury and Burnham.
The South Esplanade was filled with several hundred spectators, who took advantage of the warm summer weather to watch the vehicles arrive and then take a closer look over the following two hours.
Burnham-On-Sea’s Mayor Eric Gill, Mayoress Gilli Kenyon-Gill and Second Deputy Mayor David Poole viewed the vehicles from the comfort of the Burnham hovercraft when it was towed along the seafront with its VIP visitors onboard.
Peter Sandell, pictured, of Corsham was awarded The Mayor’s Choice Trophy by Cllr Gill after he decided that a 1951 Lagonda Drop Head was the vehicle he’d most like to take home.
Peter, who has taken part in this event for the last three years, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he was “delighted” to have won. “It’s very rewarding to receive this trophy. A lot of work has gone into maintaining the vehicle and keeping it in a good condition.”
Mr Gill described the vehicle as “something special, a touch of class. It’s a clear winner for me. Making a decision was difficult again this year, though, given the very high standard of entries.”
He added: “This is a super annual event that really draws in a lot of people to Burnham.”
Among the vehicles on display were vintage ice cream vans, police cars and fire engines alongside valuable old cars and motorbikes.
Organiser Daphne Stone told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It was another sucessful evening. It went very well and the weather was kind to us.”
The vehicles began arriving on Burnham seafront at 5.45pm and were there for two hours until 7.45pm, when they made their way back to Glastonbury.
Last year, the event raised £4,000 for Children’s Hospice South West. It is hoped that a similar amount was raised for the group this time – though a final figure won’t be known for several days yet.
