King’s Lynn hosts packed Mini meet
West Norfolk council leader Brian Long, with one of his three Minis. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
King's Lynn's was full of Minis, as hundreds brought their pride and joy to a rally devoted to the iconic car.
The Mini meet in King's Lynn. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
Chrome and paintwork gleamed in the sun, as some of the earliest models lined up alongside the marque's modern Cooper incarnation.
'I've just loved the things since I started work,' said retired mechanic Mervyn Holsey, 65, from Fakenham, who brought his 1966 D-reg Morris Cooper along to the event. 'They're just an obsession.'
An iconic Mini Cooper badge. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
Mr Holsey's bright red car, which gleamed like new, even sported a replica 1966 tax disc, from an era when taxing your car would set you back just £17 10s a year. Dean Newton, 46, also from Fakenham, was showing his 50th anniversary limited edition Mini.
'I got my first on in '84, which was a Mini Clubman,' he said. 'This is the C55, the last model they made.'
Minis line up in the Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
The event was organised by West Norfolk council, as an offshoot of its successful classic car shows.
Council leader Brian Long was showing one of the three Coopers he owns.
There were Minis old and new. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
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'I got to drive one because of a friend's business and I really enjoyed it,' he said. 'It was a basic, bog-standard car and it was fun to drive.'
First to arrive at the event were were Trevor and Julia Robinson, from Skegness, who rolled into Lynn at 6.30am.
Dean Newton with his limited edition Mini. Picture: Chris BIshop - Credit: Archant
'I've spend three days prepping her,' said Mr Robinson, as he gave his 15-year-old Mini Chillie Millie a polish. 'Now I'm just doing her final finish.'
Alongside Mr Robinson's Millie, with Union Flag roof and £10,000 worth of extras, wife Julia was polishing her sleek black car. The couple attend upwards of a dozen shows a year.
Minis line up across the square. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
Asked why the fascination with Minis, Mr Robinson said: 'Once you get one, you get hooked on them.'
Mr Long said he was pleased by the turnout, as sunshine brought out the crowds to the Tuesday Market Place. As well as the cars there was a bar, refreshments and live music.
Close-up of a 1966 Mini. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
'If it gets people into King's Lynn hopefully they'll spend some money in town on food and drink, in the shops and they'll see what King's Lynn has to offer,' he said.
After the rally, Mini owners got the chance to see what Hunstanton has to offer, driving in convoy up the A149 coast road on a fish and chip run to the resort.
A tax disc on Mervyn Holsey's 1966 Morris Cooper. - Credit: Archant
Mervyn Holsey with his 1966 Morris Cooper. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
A colourful Mini in the square. Picture: Chris BIshop - Credit: Archant
Mini owners Trevor and Julia Robinson polishing their cars ready for today's Mini meet in King's Lynn. Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
