Bentley Benefits

On April 27 President Patrick had the pleasure of taking part in the annual Drive-It-Day, now in its 20th year.  It was a joint effort by the Rotary Clubs of Billericay Mayflower and Billericay Town.

Patrick was driving a 1978 Bentley T2 (which was his father’s car) with his son Richard,   They had many happy memories from the past of holidays down in Cornwall and the New Forest, they had even taken the car on the MotorRail to Nice in the South of France and drove it back to the UK.  Ii has recently had a complete engine rebuild so it now has a new lease of life, hopefully for many years to come. 

This year’s drive was from Barleylands in Billericay to Guards Estate in East Hanningfield (a surprise destination on the day) this is a 50 mile drive through beautiful Essex countryside at your leisure, following a booklet of directions showing every turning and junction en-route.  The weather was fantastic with over 100 cars taking part in the drive. 

The National Drive-It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005, and each year, that is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the 1000-mile trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention “the motor vehicle”.

It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads. 

The total profit was £3100. Charities have been struggling so 1/3 of the proceeds go to St. Luke’s Hospice, and 1/3 to each of Billericay Mayflower and Billericay Town Rotary Clubs’ Charity Accounts for exclusively charitable projects.

By Patrick Rothon