Classic & Supercars Show£61,000 Donated to Charity from the 2019 Classic & Supercars Show
Nov 2019
Rotary Clubs distributed a total of £61,000 to one national and 18 local charities at Sherborne Castle on 8th November, 2019.
Nigel Young, Chairman of Trustees for the Sherborne Classic Cars CIO, said ‘This was a truly astonishing result following 12 months of work by the Organising Committee from members of the Yeo Vale, Sherborne Castles and Brue Valley Rotary Clubs. They are to be congratulated on raising this fantastic sum of money which means a total of £232,000 has been distributed over the past six years.’
View the complete list of charity donations here.
2019 Classic & Supercars Show Review
Sep 2019
Showfield A fills up with exhibitors’ classic cars
The Castle grounds look magnificent as ever, it is early on Monday morning and the first team of volunteers led by the show site manager arrive with plans, spreadsheets and tools to hand. They have prioritised their site layout programme to ensure the marquee supplier has full instruction upon where to locate the 15 marquees which will be scattered across some 36 acres of showfields, they have only one day to accomplish this first task. The second day sees the start of marquees being erected and the detailed marking-out of the site which will host some 37 car clubs and 120 trade, catering and charity stands, by the end of the fourth day all has been accomplished and we are ready for early arrivals.
Over the next two days, Friday and Saturday there are an increasing number of stands being erected and vehicles delivered from museums and private owners both UK and Overseas, the new catering village and children’s amusement areas are populated with a multitude of over 30 different stalls. By early evening on Saturday we are fully prepared for the greatest task of all, that of getting some 1500 cars into their correct position over the whole site by 9am.
It is 6.30am on Sunday 21st July, Show day, and more than 60 Rotarian volunteers check in at the information tent, bright yellow tabards and radios are handed out and there is a palpable air of excitement and anticipation. Marshalls including official Motorsport race Marshalls are despatched to their posts all over the site and 17 Rescue 4×4’s leave to patrol local roads, by 7am throaty exhausts hail the first trickle of cars to come through the main Castle gates eager to reach their designated parking areas. Each vehicle displays a colour coded windscreen hanger which denotes a specific showfield, avenue and stand number. It is like a military exercise and within 2 hours the majority of cars are in place, over the first few public hours of the show they will be joined by another 500+ ‘On-the-Day’ classic and sportscars all parked in a dedicated area for public viewing.
Appreciative crowds watch one of the many parades
Open to the public from 9.30am many people arrive early to enjoy exploring all the exhibits over the 36 acres of the site. At 10am our celebrity guest, five times Le Mans winner, Derek Bell arrives on site. The Jazz band are playing in the catering village and at 10.30am the first tour arrives, this organised by PistonHeads members, they will be followed by a Lamborghini tour – 25 cars strong and a Mustang drive-in, with Rally and Supercar parades to follow later in the day. The PA, already running, crackles into action with a finish line commentary detailing each car as it arrives, after a brief chat with each driver they park up in their allocated areas and as the crowd lining the Castle drive disperse we hear an F1 Benetton burst into life along with other modern and historic race cars.
The day features a celebration of Porsche and in the centre of the main display marquee sits the famous 917 Le Mans car driven by Derek Bell who now sits in this area signing books and programmes. At 11.30am there is a parade of vehicles led by Derek driving a Porsche Boxster race car followed by cars from the 1940’s to 2019 paying homage to the marque in its many forms and guises with each car’s driver chatting with Derek Bell at the finish line.
Visitors now head to the auction area where sales begin at 1pm others enjoy picnics in the beautiful grounds of the castle; the new catering village large circular marquee provides welcome shade for some and a steel band takes over the entertainment. For more than 100 people the Members marquee is the choice for the day and they enjoy a fine meal in elegant surroundings on the Castle East Lawn where 100 American cars are on display.
For the first time additional Car Tours – comprising Aston Martins, Jaguar XK and E type models arrive in the ‘On-the-Day ‘ showfield parking area making a fine additional feature for the show.
Derek Bell being interviewed by Mike Wilds
Then at 2pm racing driver Mike Wilds conducts a fascinating interview with Derek Bell in the Porsche marquee, a film of this is can be seen here, as this draws to a close the air fills with the sound of Rally cars being prepared for their parade led by our famous Patron, ex World Rally Driver Brian Culcheth.
Finally at 3.30pm cheques are awarded for category winning car clubs, these presented by our main sponsor Lancaster Insurance.
The day has seen some 2100 cars on display, there have been around 15,500 people at the show and to top everything the organisers will donate around £60,000 to local charities, making the sum raised in recent years to £231,000. We give a huge thank-you to the Rotary volunteers, all the exhibitors including private individuals and traders, those who support the show as sponsors or in kind and of course the visitors who make this possible.
Each year preparation for the next show begins as the last exhibitor leaves the site and so the planning for another great show on 21st July 2020 featuring Bentley is already underway.
2018 Show Donates £42,850 to 19 Local Charities
Jan 2019
Awards were made at an event hosted by show presidents, Edward and Maria Wingfield Digby at Sherborne Castle on 26th November
Stuart Annett- Show Secretary says:
‘We are delighted that this year’s Classic & Supercars Show was again able to benefit local Charities. The funds have been donated thanks to the voluntary work of the members of the Rotary Clubs of Yeo Vale, Sherborne Castles and Brue Valley. The recipients provide help for young people and the needy, contribute to vital medical research and services, help local organisations that care for the sick and those that work with young people.
This has only been possible thanks to the tremendous support received from the motoring community, our sponsors, car clubs, private car exhibitors, traders, suppliers, the national and local media. We are delighted to announce that over the past five years the show has raised a total of £171,000 for important and good causes in Dorset and Somerset’
Edward and Maria Wingfield Digby, owners of the Sherborne Castle Estate and Presidents of the show, presented a cheque for £10,000 to a representative of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, who were the headline beneficiaries of the show.
The three Rotary clubs who make this event happen were also presented with cheques representing the final part of the Rotary contribution to the Dorchester Hospital Cancer Ward fund.
A further 17 charities, all located within 30 miles of Sherborne, where awarded donations as a result of activities at the show. This is the full list.
Amateur Players of Sherborne
Founded in 1934. Produces two shows per year in Sherborne Studio Theatre.
Blackmore Vale Riding for the Disabled
Offers riding on real ponies and two mechanical horses to disabled riders in N Dorset and South Somerset. Our riders range in age from 5-74 and have a range of disabilities.
Diverse Abilities
Dorset’s disability charity supporting children and adults with profound physical and learning disabilities across the county since 1955.
Dorchester, Sherborne and District CAB
An independent service providing free, confidential and impartial advice to everybody.
Dorchester Disabled Club
Providing recreational and leisure facilities for disabled people in Dorchester and surrounding area to improve their quality of life.
Home Start North Dorset
Supports struggling families living in the North Dorset District Council area and where there is at least one child under five.
Macmillan Cancer Support
From the moment you’re diagnosed, through your treatment and beyond, we’re a source of support, giving you the energy and inspiration to help you feel more like yourself.
Parkinson’s Wincanton Branch
Offering information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.
St Margarets Hospice
Providing high quality and responsive palliative care to patients and their families facing a life limiting illness across Somerset.
Sherborne Area Youth & Community Centre
Provides sport and recreational facilities for young people in Sherborne and district.
Mosaic Family Support
Offers a pathway of support and guidance for bereaved children, young people and their families.
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
Supports everyone affected by eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa across Somerset & Wessex.
Future Roots
Re-engaging young people, by using farming and the countryside to provide effective solutions to health and social problems.
Yeovil Freewheelers
Provides a unique out-of-hours, completely free to the NHS, courier service between different hospitals and patients in their own homes.
Also raised at this event
Yeovil Inner Wheel Club for: Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)
The Battens Charitable Trust for: The Rendezvous & Sherborne Art and Education Complex
TOTAL DISTRIBUTED £42,850
– Show proceeds £41,000
– Yeovil Inner Wheel Club £850
– Battens Charitable Trust £1,000
2018 Classic & Supercars Show Review
Jul 2018
First arrivals at 7am
In the 15 years to date seldom have we experienced such continuous fine weather in the build up to the show, so here is a brief look at the event from its set-up to its break-down over 7 days in mid-July.
The Castle grounds look magnificent as ever, if perhaps a little scorched by 6 weeks of relentless sun, it is early on Monday morning and the first team of volunteers led by the show site manager arrive with plans, spreadsheets and tools to hand. They have prioritised their site layout programme to ensure the marquee supplier has full instruction upon where to locate the 15 marquees which will be scattered across some 36 acres of showfields, they have only one day to accomplish this massive task. The second day sees the start of marquees being erected and the detailed marking-out of the showfield which will host some 42 car clubs and 116 commercial and charity stands, by the end of the fourth day all has been accomplished and the site is ready for early arrivals.
Over the next two days, Friday and Saturday there is an ever increasing number of stands being erected and vehicles delivered from museums and private owners, the catering village and children’s amusement areas are completed. By early evening on Saturday we are fully prepared for the greatest task of all, that of getting some 1500 cars into their correct position over the whole site by 9am.
Wessex Ferrari Club Tour arrives
It is 6.30am on Sunday 15th July, Show day, and some 63 Rotarian volunteers check in at the information tent, bright yellow tabards are handed out and there is a palpable air of excitement and anticipation. Marshalls are despatched to their posts all over the site and 14 Rescue 4×4’s leave to patrol local roads, by 7am throaty exhausts hail the first trickle of cars to come through the main Castle gates eager to reach their designated parking areas. Each vehicle displays a colour coded windscreen hanger which denotes a specific showfield, stand number or site location. It is like a military exercise and within 2 hours the majority of cars are in place, over the first few public hours of the show they will be joined by another 500+ ‘On-the-Day’ classic and sportscars all parked in a dedicated area for public viewing.
Officially open to the public from 9.30am many people arrive early to enjoy exploring all the exhibits before the heat of the day becomes exhausting. At 10am the Jazz band are playing in the catering village and at 10.30am the first Tour organised by Wessex Ferrari Club arrive right on time, as they line up by the lake they are joined by more Ferraris from a private collector and by Lamborghinis driven by members of the Owners Club. The PA, already running, crackles into action with a finish line commentary detailing each car as it arrives, after a brief chat with each driver they park up in their allocated areas and as the crowd lining the Castle drive disperse we hear an F1 Benetton burst into life along with other modern and historic race cars including the 27litre Meteor Special.
The day features a celebration 70yrs of Land Rover and in the main display marquee sits the 1953 Royal Ceremonial Land Rover used by her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip during the 50’s and 60’s, together with one of the early prototype vehicles. At 11.30am there is a parade of vehicles from 1948 to 2018 paying homage to the marque in its many forms and guises with a commentary from Land Rover enthusiast Richard Beddall of the Dunsfold Land Rover collection.
The Lamborghini Club parade
Our regular supporters PistonHeads arrive with their tour at 12.30, some 40 supercars and exceptional vehicles noisily arrive at the finish line to be greeted and after a brief chat moved into their reserved parking area. A throng of visitors now head to the auction area where sales begin at 1pm others enjoy picnics in the beautiful grounds of the castle; the catering village large circular marquee provides welcome shade for some and a steel band takes over the entertainment. For some the Members marquee is the choice for the day and they enjoy a fine meal in elegant surroundings on the Castle East Lawn where 100 American cars are on display.
Then at 2pm the air fills with the sound of Rally cars being prepared for their parade, this to be led by our famous celebrity guest for the day, Paddy Hopkirk, driving a mini cooper ‘S’ to full rally specification. Paddy has been signing autographs and chatting with the public in the rally marquee alongside the mini in which he won the 1964 Monte Carlo rally, straight after the parade he is filmed giving a very amusing interview recounting stories from his past and current activities.
Then at 3pm the last parade features 30 supercars, including- McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Noble, Ultima, Porsche, Shelby Mustang and a host of other very high powered cars which roar into life and complete a circuit through the castle grounds. These having been chosen as a representative selection from over 130 present on the day.
Finally at 3.30pm cheques are awarded for category winning car clubs, these presented by our main sponsor Lancaster Insurance.
The day has seen some 2000+ cars on display, there have been around 12,000 people at the show and to top everything the organisers expect to donate around £45,000 to local charities. We give a huge thank-you to the Rotary volunteers, all the exhibitors including private individuals and traders, those who support us as sponsors or in kind and of course the visitors who make this possible.
Each year preparation for the next show begins as the dust, and it really did this year, settles at the end of the current event and so the planning for another great show on 21st July 2019 is already underway.
Land Rover’s 70th anniversary to be Celebrated at the Lancaster Insurance Classic & Supercars Show
Jan 2018
This 1948 Prototype will be at the show kindly loaned by National Motor Museum Beaulieu
The organisers are delighted to announce that on Sunday 15th July Show the marque feature will be a celebration of ‘Land Rover’ sponsored by Yeovil Land Rover, Somerset – Read about the History of Land Rover 70 Years 1948-2018.
The design for the original Land Rover was started in 1947 by Maurice Wilks, chief designer at the Rover Company, and his brother Spencer, managing director of Rover. The early vehicles only came in various shades of light green, as dictated by military surplus supplies of aircraft cockpit paint, and all models until recently featured sturdy box section ladder-frame chassis.
Nigel Young, Chairman of the Show, comments: “After a hugely successful show last year, and with £130,000 raised for charity over the past four years what could be better for 2018 than to celebrate 70 years of the Land Rover. Land Rovers, for me, signify the best of British and I’m looking forward to seeing the range from 1948 Series ‘1’ to the very latest Range Rovers all on display.”
£46,000 to Charity Thanks to Our Supporters
Nov 2017
Over 2,100 cars exhibited, 14,000 visitors, our sponsors and supporters, you all helped us to raise an amazing £46,000 which has been distributed to 14 charities this weekend.
Our special presentation event held and Sherborne Castle on Friday, was attended by representatives of the recipient charities together with our sponsors and supporters, Yeovil Inner Wheel and members of the Rotary Clubs of Brue Valley, Sherborne Castles and Yeo Vale.
Our event Presidents, Edward and Maria Winfield Digby, presented a cheque for £10,000 to our headline charity, Cancer Research UK. The remainder of the charitable money was presented to a range of local charities, all of whom operate within 30 miles of our show site. Each received sums between £2,750 and £3,000, which to these small and dedicated charities makes a significant difference. Thank you to everyone who helped us make this possible.
Recipients were:
Cancer Research UK – An Internationally respected organisation dedicated to Cancer research and 80p of every pound donated goes directly to Research.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Our local emergency response organisation who need to raise £2 million per year.
St Margaret’s Hospice – At the heart of Somerset’s community for over 37 years, delivering high quality, responsive and compassionate care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness.
Like Minds – Started in October 2015. Like Minds works with people experiencing mild to moderate mental health conditions, whether diagnosed or not. The project provides one to one counselling as well as facilitated and peer support groups.
Riding for the Disabled – The aim is to enable riders of all abilities to ride a pony or a mechanical horse/ riding simulator. We have 80 riders registered of all ages from 4yrs up to 80yrs.
Wincanton Parkinson’s UK – The Charity that drives better care, treatments and quality of life. It endeavours to bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s. Striving for better treatments in years – not decades.
Yeovil Free Wheelers – The longest serving blood bike group in the UK starting up in 1978. Our Group has no financial support from national or local government nor from Yeovil District Hospital, the source of the majority of our tasks. All members are volunteers
Mosaic – Supporting Bereaved Children in Dorset – A child–centred service, offering a pathway of support for bereaved children, young people and their families. Also providing support for young people who are facing the death of a parent or loved one.
Go Girls – Supports women with gynaecological cancers with their unique blend of advice, support and hugs. This year they have raised £25,000 for the Cancer Appeal to fund a counselling suite at Dorset County Hospital.
Growing Space – A charity, working in the Balsam Centre. They grow the fruit and veg for the café and local schools, whilst helping people who are experiencing emotional difficulties. They also run activities to boost self-confidence and give training and support to people with learning disabilities.
Future Roots – Founded by Julie Plumley in 2006. It uses two farming sites in Dorset to provide effective solutions to health and social problems by re-engaging young people with learning and enhance the well-being of adults when they are isolated or have long term illnesses.
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorder Association – Provides support to anyone affected by eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, compulsive eating, binge eating disorder and all related conditions.
Sherborne Area Youth & Community Centre – Operating at Tinney’s Lane, Sherborne for the benefit of the community in general and youth organisations in particular. It runs its own youth club and hosts a church youth club.
Diabetes Research – An organisation focused on research into a biological Cure for Diabetes
The Rendezvous – If you are 14 – 25 The Rendezvous is the place where you can get a friendly listening ear and emotional support if you need it – plus all the info you want on jobs, housing, health and relationships. It has a coffee bar and music studio and can help young people get qualifications, new skills and find work.
If you are a charity operating within a 30 mile radius of Sherborne, click here to apply for a donation from next years show, which will be held on Sunday 15th July 2018 when our Marque Feature will be Land Rover 70 Years 1948-2018 – Sponsored by Yeovil Land Rover.
Sherborne Classic & Supercar Show Announces New Charity Structure
Jun 2017
Sherborne Classic Cars CIO (Charity Number 1172969) a new grant-making Charity, announced on 30th June 2017 the acquisition of the ‘Sherborne Classic & Supercars Show’, one of the premier classic and supercar events in the South of England held at Sherborne Castle.
Beginning this year, the Show will be run by Sherborne Classic & Supercars Limited, a company set up by the new Charity to continue the charity fundraising aims of the show.
The show is being put on to raise funds for the charitable purposes of the new Charity, which plans to make donations to one national and local charities in Dorset and Somerset.
Sherborne Castle Classic & Supercar Show Raises £53,000 for Charities
Nov 2016
Hosted by our Presidents, Edward and Maria Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle, show Chairman Nigel Young invited the 3 supporting Rotary Clubs and Inner Wheel* to make awards for a total of 9 charities sharing the £53,000 raised by the show.
Stuart Annett- Show Secretary says:
‘We are delighted that from this year’s Show, held on 17th July, we were today able to distribute to Charities the astonishing amount of £53,000.The funds have been donated to National and Local charities, supported by the Rotary Clubs of Yeo Vale, Sherborne Castles and Brue Valley to assist young people and the needy by contributing to vital medical research, whilst helping local organisations that care for the sick and work with young people (read full press release for list of benefitting charities) .This has only been possible thanks to the tremendous support received from the motoring community as a whole – with special thanks to Car Clubs, private car exhibitors, traders, suppliers, national and local media and our sponsors. (read full press release for list of Sponsors). We are hugely grateful for this on-going support which over the past three years has enabled the show to raise a total of £85,000 for good causes’
The next show, our 14th year, will be held as before in the wonderful grounds of Sherborne Castle, now a 2 day show – 15/16th July 2017.
Read the full Press Release here.
