Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club Purchases a New Trailer
The Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club Ltd was set up in 1969 by people with a love of vintage and classic vehicles. It is a club to honour all era of cars, from vintage to modern classics and everything in between. The Club’s flagship event is the annual car rally at John O’Groats which has now run for 50 years, attracting 200 entries and a crowd of around 2,000. Alongside the lovingly restored cars, lorries, vans, tractors, motorcycles and stationary engines the rally includes stalls, trade stands, live music, emergency services, model boats and Highland dancing and the local Pipe Band providing a fun day out for the whole family.
The Club uses a trailer to transport equipment to the rally which is then used as a secretary’s box, a commentary box and for the presentation of trophies on the day. In 2019 the trailer was deemed no longer roadworthy. The Committee felt that the rally could not be organised without it as it provides both means of transport of vital equipment and is essential throughout the day.
Before applying to the Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the Committee spoke to a number of other local groups also involved in the running of rural events to better understand the needs of each organisation, hoping that a commentary box that met the needs of more than one event would be better received. The Club then applied to the Fund with letters of support from the Thurso Rotary Club, the Mey Games, The Canisbay Show and the North Shore Surf Club.
It is felt that this trailer could be made available to any other event in need of a commentary box such as horse shows, local fairs, surf competitions and many other events. The Club has spoken to a number of local groups about making this trailer available and has received a positive response with letters of support from the Thurso Rotary Club, the Mey Games, The Canisbay Show and the North Shore Surf Club all stating that a new trailer could become a useful shared resource enabling a number of local events throughout the year.
In 2020 the Club was awarded £8,500 towards the purchase which was match-funded by another local fund.
Without this money, it would have not been possible to keep our club together. There was a lot of older members that had stood down but with this injection, it has attracted younger members allowing our club to run successful events in Caithness and Sutherland for many years to come.
We are delighted to say that the club has really rallied round and have already had a car run, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Although we could not have the show that was planned for 2020 we are already looking forward to using our trailer/container to make The 2021 a very special show with the help of our funders.
Committee Member, James Bremner
Although the 2020 rally could not go ahead due to covid-19 restrictions the trailer will be in use for many years to come.