AL FRESCO LUNCH AT MIKE AND AMANDA’S FARM SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 2025.

Following on from last year’s successful hog roast at Mike and Amanda’s Farm at Shortlanesend, this year, due to the cost of hiring a hog roast, the committee decided to organise a cold meat al fresco lunch. The ladies of the club supplied the potatoes and salads, and a selection of cold meats were provided by a local butcher.  43 hungry members turned up with their motors and those who were fortunate to own drop tops took the opportunity to enjoy the sun at its Cornish best.

 Mike was the supreme host and invited members to join him on a conducted tour of his workshops where he maintained and tuned his remarkable collection of vintage Riley racing cars. He was also pleased to take us all around his impressive collection of mostly David Brown Farm tractors, steam and vintage cars each maintained to an amazing standard, immaculately presented.

But he saved the best till last. He had recently attended an auction of vintage machinery and purchased two David Brown tractors that had been used by the RAF during the war, also at the auction was an Aveling and Porter steam engine. Mike had known this engine for a considerable time and had always admired it, so when the opportunity came to purchase it, the desire was too great. He brought it home and in his usual manner set to work in preparing it to the highest standard much to the admiration of all present. At the completion of the tour members collected their collapsible chairs packing their dirty dishes and headed for home having enjoyed a very memorable afternoon.

Report by Reg Bennett