Even the showers didn't dampen spirits on the 23rd Mendip Vintage and Classic Tour on Sunday 14th May! Over 160 vintage, classic and historic cars took part this year’s event, sponsored by Estate Agent, Debbie Fortune, herself a vintage car owner, driver and enthusiast.

The route this year was around the northern region of Somerset, exploring wonderful areas of outstanding beauty, many rich in history and legend, ending in grand style for cream teas and the coveted awards, on Wells Cathedral Green ...whatever the weather!

Many participants entered in the spirit of the occasion adopting period dress and contributing to the atmosphere and joy of the event.

Debbie, with her co driver, Julie, in authentic 50's costume, drove a 1950 Alvis TB14, one of only 15 surviving from the 100 originally built, and they kept going through the rain showers to arrive safely on the green, very wet but very happy, just in time to present the trophies with the Mayor of Wells, councillor Alison Gibson.

This year's event was raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity very close to Debbie's heart as both her eldest son, Ben, and her husband, Mark, have suffered from the disease...Mark very recently.

She says, 'Every day a staggering 21 people across Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and Somerset hear the devastating news they have cancer, and every day 10 people die from the illness. Macmillan funds 222 professionals across our area, including doctors, nurses, dieticians, family support workers, Boots Macmillan information pharmacists, radiographers and beauty advisors, and in 2015 in Somerset alone paid out over £66,000 in grants to people living with cancer.'

'It was tremendous to see so many Macmillan volunteers collecting for such a worthy cause and there was unqualified support from everyone for this wonderful charity. I felt very privileged to be part of the day, which is one of the best organised events we attend in our fund raising calendar. There are so many people to thank ... but a special vote must go out to the army of volunteers and marshalls who give up their free time to attend...to the hundreds of car owners and enthusiasts who support the event and to the hundreds of spectators both along the route and on the Green, and who gave so generously to Macmillan Cancer Support.' 

Roll on 2018!