A glorious Sunday for a drive, saw classic vehicle owners all heading for Swanage in Dorset to take part in the Carnival Classic Motor Show.
The event in the Main Beach car park, organised for the second year by Swanage Carnival, took place on Sunday 21st April 2024.
Cars from across Dorset travelled to the show including these ones from Weymouth
Glistening in the spring sunshine
There were about 125 classic vehicles taking part, all glistening in the spring sunshine having been carefully polished for the occasion.
Alongside the vehicles, a number of community groups set up stalls to promote their work including Swanage and Purbeck Rotary and the Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary set up stall in the car park
The ultimate summer prom car drew many admirers
“It’s great to win best in show”
The winner of best in show for 2024 was Philip Peacock from Dorchester who proudly displayed his Conda Green 1970 Porsche 911 E with its 2.2 litre engine.
Philip said:
“I’ve been coming down to the show for the last four years and it’s great to win best in show. I enjoy the run down from Dorchester and today it feels like the start of summer.
“It’s lovely to see all the other cars and have a day out in Swanage, starting with a fantastic breakfast in town to start the day with and brilliant to return home as a winner!”
Best in show winner Philip Peacock shows off his Porsche 911 E which has been meticulously restored in its original Conda Green
The 2.2 litre engine impressed many car enthusiasts
Swanage Carnival in the driving seat
Local resident Jenny Lazenbury started the classic motor show in 1996 and it has been an established attraction on the Swanage calendar ever since.
In 2023, following Jenny’s decision to take a well earned back seat, the Swanage Carnival team took over the organisation of the popular event.
A day for deckchairs in the car park
Jeff Soulsby from Swanage Carnival was delighted with the number attending the event
“Fantastic day and super weather”
Leading the event for Swanage Carnival was local resident Jeff Soulsby. He said:
“It’s been a fantastic day and super weather. It’s great to attract around 125 entries, so we’re really happy. This is the second year that Swanage Carnival has organised the show and we’ve really been able to build on the success of last year.
“We’re now looking forward to the Swanage Carnival this summer and all the money made from this event will help us donate even more to local good causes and charities.”
A lot of cars gleamed in the sunshine
The Swanage Carnival team were on hand to answer queries and collect donations
Charities for 2024
Every year Swanage Carnival invites local good causes to apply to receive a share of the cash raised by the carnival and other events. For 2024, the money will be shared between:
Swanage Carnival chair’s charity
- Forget Me Not (NHS Trust Dorchester) – supporting those who experience late miscarriage or stillborn pregnancy
Annual charities
- Swanage Stroke Club
- Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Nominated charities
- Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership
- Corfe Castle FC
- Friends of Dorset Carers
- Friends of St Mary’s Association
- Friends of Swanage Primary School
- Greengage Community Garden
- Harlequin Care
- Allsort’d.org
- Herston Village Hall
- Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
- Mount Scar Cygnets Pre-school
- National Coastwatch Institution
- St George’s Preschool
- Dementia Friendly Purbeck Community
- St Mark’s Primary School
- Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club
- Swanage Gymnastics
- Swanage Linking Lives
- Swanage Musical Theatre Company
- Swanage Sea Rowing Club Events
Further information
- Join the Swanage Carnival team between 6 pm and 8 pm on Thursday 25th April 2024 in The Showbar in The Mowlem to find out more about becoming a volunteer during carnival week Saturday 27th July to Saturday 3rd August 2024
- More about Swanage Carnival is on its website
