Drive it Day 2021

Blairgowrie Rotary's Drive it Day raises over £30,000

The Drive it Day organised by the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie on 22nd August, postponed for 18 months because of Covid, raised an amazing £30,000 for Bowel Cancer UK, Alzheimers Scotland and the club’s own benevolent fund which supports the local community.

75 cars of all types and vintages, from a vintage Bullnose Morris to a Lamborghini, gathered at Blairgowrie Golf Club in the morning, drove to St Andrews for a picnic lunch at the West Sands and ended up at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, for High Tea. Everyone enjoyed the spectacular scenery and had a great day out.

The cars were waved off from the Golf Club by the Provost of Perth and Kinross, Dennis Melloy.

The morning drive took the cars along the Tay and showed how wide the river is as it approaches the estuary.  It was a great pity the mist hadn’t lifted completely.  After lunch the cars toured around the historic areas of St Andrews before heading through Fife to Kinross, Glendevon, the Sma’ Glen to Aberfeldy and finally Pitlochry for High Tea at the Atholl Palace Hotel.  Difficulties en route were Bailey Bridges but everyone eventually got through!!  

As usual the Auction and Raffle went extremely well and when added to the Sponsorship the total amount raised for the Charities was a staggering £30588

This has been rounded up by the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie so that  Alzheimer Scotland  and Bowel Cancer UK each receive £12250, and the club's own benevolent fund receives £6125

Prizes were awarded for various categories:

Oldest car to complete the route – 1922 Morris Oxford - Ian and Sarah Milford

Furthest travelled – Silas Adler from London

Most money raised – this year two prizes in this category were given as Bill Ross and John O’Rafferty  both raised fantastic amounts.

Period Costume – Bill and Ethel Ross

Quiz – Elaine Howatson

Concours d'Elegance – Tim Hudson with an XK120 Drophead

Spirit of the Event Award given by Willie Bennet – Bentley Edinburgh

The Rotary Club of Blairgowrie thank most sincerely the Sponsorship from Graham Environment Services, Bentley Edinburgh, Milford Engineering, Classic Restorations, Morris Leslie, The Cameron Group and all other Sponsors and advertisers in the Route Book, Willie Bennet for donating the Spirit of the Event award and once again our wholehearted thanks go to the participants who gave so generously.  

Colin's personal thanks go to President Phil Seymour, his ‘trusty lieutenants’ Robin Duncan and Malcolm Davidson, Norman Jones for putting the Route Book together, Brian Townsend for the Quiz, Janine Seymour for coordinating with the Charities, Karen McNee for the ‘Goodie Bags’ and all the Rotarians who worked so hard behind the scenes.  Another huge thank you to Struan and Stuart Drummond who ‘stepped into their late father’s shoes’ and helped with the parking at the Golf Club and the Atholl Palace.  Also Eric’s granddaughter Amber who took the photographs which are on the website www.blairgowrieclassiccartour.co.uk along with a video and photographs taken by Scott Footman ‘The Video Guy’ Edinburgh.

Participants who, for one reason or another, were unable to be present for High Tea may have missed the announcement that this would be the last ‘Drive it Day’ organised by the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie due to Colin's health issues and advancing years.  Negotiations have been completed with the Rotary Club of Perth who will now run the event under the Chairmanship of Bill McDonald with input from Colin and the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie for the first year.  We are hoping to pass on the mailing list of participants,but due to data protection individual consents are required.  

Lastly, once again a huge THANK YOU to all participants for their loyalty and support over the years raising over £100K for Charity

Special thanks must go to club member Colin Stewart and his wife Anne, the “driving force” behind the event.