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South West Areas - Show & Shine event at Aston Martin Bristol for Sparks

Area Rep | Published on 4/29/2018

Over 50 cars and 100 AMOC members from around the South West supported the Show & Shine event, hosted and sponsored by Aston Martin Bristol. The event was in support of the children's medical research charity, Sparks and raised a whopping £1,900 (with more to come).

Everyone who came along could vote for their favourite car on the day. The winners were decided by a random draw of all entries. The overall winner was the DB6 Vantage of Jane Nicholls and Gary Taylor from Area 13. They received a superb AM wings presentation badge in a perspex surround on a base with an engraved plaque, kindly supplied by Aston Martin Bristol.

Jane Nicholls and her winning DB6 Vantage and the Show & Shine 2018 Trophy (see below) - Photos by Gary Taylor

Attendees donated an 'entry fee' in advance and then had the opportunity to bid for 6 silent auction items: a print and magazine signed by ex-Aston Martin and Ferrari works driver, Tony Brooks, along with 5 framed photographs of the 2017 Le Mans winning GTE Pro car signed by drivers Darren Turner and Jonny Adam.

The team at Aston Martin Bristol, led by events co-ordinator Evie Dibble, put on a stunning show including a display inside the workshop that included A3, the world's oldest Aston Martin (c/o AMHT). Also on display was the very latest V8 Vantage model - representing a span of 105 years of Aston Martin history. The dealership also supplied hot drinks and brunch rolls that were very welcome on this cold, but thankfully dry, morning. The AMHT and dealership indoor stalls were also popular attractions.

A BBC local TV crew was also on hand to record the event and highlight the work of Sparks. Their report is due to be broadcast later in the spring.

Steve Waddingham of Aston Martin Lagonda gave a short talk on the history of Aston Martin, referencing A3, a 1933 Le Mans (Hugh Williams) a DB4 (Bob Carter), a DB5 (Andrew & Pym Mogford) and a DB6 (Peter & Barbara Hickling). The cars were driven indoors for Steve's talk... a mini moving motor show!

Steve Waddingham in full flow (photo by Mike Jones)

Following Steve's talk, the prize winners were announced along with the winning auction bids.

Aaron Allnutt presents the prizes (photo by Mike Jones)

Of the 6 Le Mans signed prints available, one is being supplied to the Bonhams Aston Martin Auction at Englefield House on 3rd June to raise more funds for Sparks.

AMOC member and local representative of Sparks, Mike Jones, was thrilled with the result. Commenting afterwards he said, "...thisshould get us comfortably past the £2,000 mark, which would be incredible! Thanks again - your support is hugely appreciated".

Dealer principal and event host, Aaron Allnutt, added: "It is our pleasure to host such events and the opportunity to raise some money for sparks is a great bonus!"

L-R: Mike Jones (AMOC and Sparks), Donna Bannister and Rob Smith (AMHT),  Steve Waddingham (AML) and Aaron Allnutt, dealer principal, Aston Martin Bristol. Mike is holding a framed photo of the 2017 Le Mans winning car signed by drivers Darren Turner and Jonny Adam. Aaron is holding a bottle of the Club Sponsor Champagne Taittinger (for one of the winners) and is standing next to a print of the famous Michael Turner painting of Tony Brooks leading the 1957 Nurburgring 1,000kms race, signed by Tony Brooks.    (Photo by Andrew Fawkes). 

Peter Hickling reverses in his DB6 for Steve Waddingham's talk (Photo by Mike Jones)

New Vantage made a great contrast with A3. (Photo by Andrew Fawkes)

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen, especially everyone who came along on the day from Area 4, Area 13, Area 18, Area 20 and Area 22.

There is a short time-lapse video of the outside display on the Area 4 facebook page - here.

See here for more photographs.

"Thank you and good afternoon", the winning team departs...            (Photo by Andrew Fawkes)