“Classic Motors and Classic Music in Herne Bay” proclaimed the headlines. Residents of Herne Bay boast that their town’s freestanding bell tower is the highest on earth. As we arrived there on a beautiful sunny morning, it soon became apparent that the “classic motors” part wasn’t exaggerated. The myriad wheels from nearly every decade ranged from a 1914 Peugeot, military Jeeps, real “bakkies” as we remember them from the sixties, to beautiful E-type Jaguars and a nearly-new Bentley.

But it’s the people, of all colours (tattoos) and flavours (predominantly alcohol and tobacco) that stay with you. The small old holiday towns on the Kent coastline always have an air of decay, almost like a middle-aged can-can dancer wearing too much makeup. And many of the local characters also fall into that category. There was lively, booming music from the small central stage throughout, definitely not classic music, but what the heck, when the sun shines and the cars roar, we don’t split hairs. In any case, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell would probably have been satisfied. There were many other stalls too, a few for charitable organisations that support former soldiers, and one that preached vegetarian ice cream. Restaurants were chock-full from early on, and many people were quick to erect camping chairs and tables, where they sat and visited in groups. All of it contributed to a carefree carnival feeling.

The “Herne Bay Classic Motor Show” on 20 August 2017 attracted over 15 000 visitors throughout the day. The show featured the “Classic Music Show” with The Smokin’ Mavericks, Jodie South, Carla Winters, Martin Farbrother and Mike Lloyd, as well as the “Retro Market”, dealerships “County Garage” (Ford) and “Perry’s of Canterbury” (Vauxhall) and many more. http://classicmusicandmotors.co.uk/