Visitors admiring the classic vehicles at Stody Lodge Gardens (credit: Stody Lodge Gardens

On Sunday 12th May 2019, Stody Lodge Gardens was delighted to welcome an estimated 400 classic vehicles for a sunshine-filled afternoon of motors, homemade teas by the Aylsham Care Trust and spectacularly colourful gardens.

*Ronald and Karen Loomes with their winning 1936 MG PB Airline Coupe (© Stody Lodge Gardens - high res available)*

The award for Vehicle of the Day was presented to Ronald Loomes for his 1936 MG PB Airline Coupe. The car was chosen by the judges, Peter Thomas of the Norwich MG Owners’ Club, and David Johnson of the Broadland MG Owners’ Club for its superb condition and rarity value.

Peter Thomas of the Norwich MG Owners’ Club said: ‘This car is one of only 16 cars of this type built and believed to be the only one on UK roads today. It is much travelled and has a fascinating history. Originally sold by a MG dealer in Newcastle the car was then sold on after a few years to somebody in Scotland. No record of where the car went from there until 2001 when it was purchased by a Japanese tycoon who had the car totally rebuilt in the UK before shipping it to Japan. It was then returned to the UK before reaching Australia and then Sweden where it was kept in a museum. It was finally returned to the UK and Ronald purchased it in 2016.’

David Johnson of the Broadland MG Owners’ Club added: ‘It is excellent to see such a rare car as this kept in its original condition and used so regularly.’

Thanks to the glorious May sunshine, the Stody Classic Vehicles Day was inundated with car and garden lovers and enjoyed a bumper turnout. All drivers of a classic vehicle were invited into the gardens for free where visitors were dazzled by Stody Lodge’s brightly coloured rhododendrons and azaleas.

The Aylsham Care Trust, which provides services to older people in North Norfolk to promote independent living and to decrease social isolation and loneliness, raised a fantastic £1,650 from providing delicious tea and cake in the tea rooms to the gardens hungry visitors.

The Stody Classic Vehicle Day forms part of a series of events taking place at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Next up is a pop-up stand by Witts Design, a mother-daughter traditional screen printing company based on Stody Estate. Michelle and Stephanie Witts have created a range of selected homeware and gift card products with special edition Stody Lodge Gardens’ designs on them that will be on sale within the gardens from 19th – 27th May inclusive. In addition, The Stody Rainbow Garden Party will take place on Saturday 25th May 2019. This day is a special invitation to and celebration of the LGBT+ community and will raise funds for Norwich Pride and Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Prides’ respective Pride parades this summer. All members of the public welcome.

Stody Lodge Gardens is open 1pm-5pm all Sundays in May, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th May, from Monday 20th through to Sunday 27th May 2019 inclusive. Entrance is £7, children under 12 free, payable by cash only.