Actor John Challis – Boycie in television’s Only Fools and Horses – will underline his transition to country squire when he attends the big 2008 vintage vehicle rally at the agricultural showground at Shrewsbury.
“Boycie”, now starring in the countryside-based comedy The Green Green Grass, has accepted an invitation to attend the Mid Shropshire Vintage Club’s annual gathering on the first day of the event to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1. Rally organiser Derek Sheedy says: “We are delighted that John has agreed to visit us on our first day. His change of role from city slicker to rural squire has emphasised his versatility as an actor and the fact that he has moved to live on the Shropshire-Herefordshire border has brought him into our local patch.”
Mr. Sheedy said he was sure that Mr. Challis would enjoy the rally – the club’s 21st – which promises to be the largest staged so far, with around 1,200 vehicle entries covering tractors, historic cars, commercial vehicles, buses and motor cycles.
Each year the emphasis is placed on a particular marque of tractor and this year the emphasis will be on Nuffield, the product of British Leyland in post war years, many of which have been preserved by tractor enthusiasts. Around fifty entries of Nuffield’s have already been received.
Mr. Sheedy says: “There are indications of a very high level of interest in this year’s rally, with entries coming in from a wide area of Shropshire and neighbouring counties, including Wales. This reflects the growing level of interest among vintage vehicle enthusiasts within our membership and beyond.”
The Shrewsbury rally is now established as one of the biggest events of its kind in the border area, with military vehicles forming an increasing element of the historic vehicle display.
A recent introduction has been the highly-popular vehicle and equipment auction. It will take place on the day before the rally proper, Friday May 20, conducted by Mr. H.J. Pugh of Ledbury.
In addition to the vehicle displays, the rally also includes model and craft marquees and a Victorian fairground. Mr. Sheedy describes it as: “A colourful slice of life in the countryside from years past.”
Proceeds are for local charities which have benefited to the tune of more than £130,000 in recent years.
Derek Sheedy can be contacted on 01952 770985.. |
