More than £5,500 has been raised for 2 Island charities after 40 classic car crews took to the roads for this year’s Voyage Des Vectis.
Cars spanning almost 70 years of motoring gathered at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 19th July, where more than 100 people shared breakfast before setting off on the annual charity tour.
The field ranged from a 1930s Austin 7 Ulster Replica to a 1999 Ferrari F355, with a pair of Bentleys among an eclectic collection of machinery taking part.
Perhaps the most recognisable vehicle of the day was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which headed an off-road classics display before crews headed out into the specially ordered summer sunshine.
This year’s suggested 70-mile route was inspired by the Island’s rich heritage of mills, taking participants along roads through the countryside before a midway stop at Fort Victoria.
For some, the route also revealed parts of the Island they had never previously encountered. Mike and Sheila Rainey, who took part in their MG TD, said:
“Great organisation, excellent route with help at all the right points, faultless, and down some roads on the Island which, after 50yrs of living here, I did not recognise.”
The cars eventually arrived at Gatcombe Estate, where owner Simon Laver and his family hosted the finish.
Waiting for the crews inside the estate’s Pool House was a vintage tearoom created especially for the occasion, with members of Appley Women’s Institute providing a selection of homemade cakes and other treats.
The combination of classic cars, period style and the Gatcombe setting prompted one of the event sponsors to remark that it was “like a film set”, while organisers reported that some of the cakes barely made it out of the Pool House before being eaten.
The occasion was about more than the cars themselves. Entrants embraced the period atmosphere, competing for honours in the Concours d’Elegance and Sartorial Style competitions, rewarding both the presentation of the vehicles and the efforts of their crews.
There were also awards for the furthest-travelled entrants, who had journeyed from Reading, and for the “spirit of the event”.
The latter went to a crew who suffered a breakdown on the way to the ferry terminal but refused to let it end their day, managing to reach the Island and join the event regardless.
Lindy and Simon, who took part in a Mini Countryman, were among those impressed by the day.
“The venues, in particular Gatcombe Estate, were splendid, as was the company and of course the cars. Special mention must go to the lovely ladies of the WI as the cakes were very tasty. What a fantastic day and weather to suit.”
Behind the spectacle was the main purpose of Voyage Des Vectis – raising money for 2 organisations supporting people on the Isle of Wight.
More than £5,500 was raised and will be shared between John’s Club and Isle of Wight Young Carers/Barnardo’s.
John Phillips attended on behalf of John’s Club, while Louise Rackett represented Isle of Wight Young Carers/Barnardo’s. Organisers said both were immensely moved by the financial support raised through the event and the encouragement shown for their work.
Principal sponsorship came from Fortis Energy of Ryde and SES Autoparts in Newport, with another 10 Island businesses also lending their support.
They included Fortune Leathercraft at Arreton Barns, Ashey Road Garage in Ryde, The Dell Cafe at Puckpool, Dig For Vintage in Ryde and Newport businesses Barber Cube, Skin Trade and Visual Impact.
With the final cars parked up at Gatcombe, the cakes considerably depleted and more than £5,500 in the pot, this year’s Voyage Des Vectis had combined a celebration of classic motoring with support for 2 much-needed Island charities.
