It was the biggest and best yet as Wadebridge Wheels, organised by the town’s Rotary club, raised more than £25,000 for local charities.
This was the 22nd annual running of Wadebridge Wheels, one of Cornwall’s biggest and best classic vehicle shows, at the Royal Cornwall Showground.
Exhibited vehicles this year topped 1,250, and around 3,000 people paid to come and see them.
This was a record turnout which brought record proceeds.
Exhibitors brought vehicles of all ages; cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, tractors and static engines.
There were even a few steam engines, including ‘Whistling Billy’, a 1905 steam-powered racing car originally built by the White Sewing Machine Company, Massachusetts, USA.
Rotary clubs exist to help people in their local communities and Wheels is Wadebridge Rotary’s main fundraising event.”
The winner of this year’s Best in Show Award was Ken Rogers of Falmouth, with his bright red 1935, seven horsepower Jowett Weasel, a very rare car, which he has owned for 16 years.
When not looking at the cars, visitors enjoyed live music from the Blue Angels and St Minver Silver Band, parade ring events, and vendor stands for trade, craft and autojumble.
Children leapt around on a bouncy castle and other inflatables, raced karts and had their faces painted.
The ice cream vans had queues throughout the day.
Wheels is organised and run by Wadebridge Rotary to raise money for local charities, with the headline charity this year being the Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer, a men’s health charity at the forefront of prostate cancer care across the South West.
The charity is reliant on donations from the public and without community fundraising such as this, wouldn’t be able to provide the treatment, technology and support it offers.
Rotary members and many other volunteers give their time freely so that admin costs are minimised and as much as possible goes to the charities.
Event Chair Stuart Hutchison said: “I’d like to thank everyone who helped us here at Wheels this year.
“Without their hard work, throughout the year and on the day, Wheels would not run as smoothly, nor be such a success.”
Wadebridge Rotary President Mick Goward added: “Rotary clubs exist to help people in their local communities and Wheels is Wadebridge Rotary’s main fundraising event.
“Today has been record-breaking in the amount of money raised and many causes and projects here in the town and across Cornwall will benefit as a result.
“We are grateful to all the visitors who came and paid their entrance fee and to the exhibitors, who gave them something wonderful to see.”
