A sizeable contingent of 1020 club members attended September’s well organised and socially distanced Simply British Classics gathering within the grounds of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
Pre-booked participants, to limit the total number of cars and people attending, were parked with large gaps between vehicles on the fields normally used for the Beaulieu autojumbles. The restricted number also meant there were no queues to get in or out and the minimum of interaction between staff and exhibitors at the arrival point.
The range of British classics was diverse from pre-war tourers carrying names such as Lea Francis, Invicta and AC through to a large representation of MGBs, Morris Minors and Minis.
Most people observed the rule of six and while people moved between cars they kept their distance just enjoying the opportunity to chart with fellow enthusiasts and give their cars a rare outing this year.
Outside catering vans and restricted access toilets also helped keep visitors well-spaced while entry to the museum was limited by numbers, there was a one-way system in operation, a hand sanitiser on entry and face masks were mandatory.
The only potential risk areas being a number of bottle necks within the museum when some visitors stopped to take photographs and people came within one metre of each other.
Beaulieu has plans for more Simply events this year but none open to classic or modern MGs – all access to the site is by pre-booked tickets.
Photo: Ian Byers