Erewash hosts car pilgrimage by cars made in twin town

A Matra 530 Avant (Credit: EBC)

Classic car fans from across the country will be flocking to Erewash twice this summer – as BOTH the borough’s main towns stage spectacular motor shows.

A huge family-friendly extravaganza which attracts thousands of spectators will again see vehicles from yesteryear take over Ilkeston Market Place and surrounding streets in August.

This year. Long Eaton will be getting in on the act too – with a motoring festival of its own in July. Unlike the Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show – which features all kinds of exhibits including buses, trucks, tanks and motorcycles – the Long Eaton one will showcase only cars made in a single now-defunct factory.

The plant, which closed a quarter of a century ago, was in Romorantin-Lanthenay – Long Eaton’s twin town across the Channel. It was home to the sporty French marque Matra and also made Avantime and Espace models for Renault.

Ultra rare examples are among some 30 classic vehicles that will be gathering on Saturday 25th July to mark 25 years since the last car rolled off the production line.

The line-up will be on show from 9pm at the Tappers Harker pub on the town’s Main Street prior to a cavalcade setting off on a pilgrimage to Romorantin Place – which is named in honour of the French twin town.

Erewash’s mayor will be among VIPs at the event, which is being staged by members of Matra Enthusiasts Club UK and Avantime Alliance UK. Chairman of the Long Eaton Twinning Association John Maxwell-Jones has also been invited.

Organiser Simon Farmer, who owns an Avantime, said: “We are expecting a full line-up of all the models built by Matra Automobile. If we achieve this it will be the first time in around 40 years that this has been done in one place at one time in the UK.”

Erewash’s previous mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson, who became the youngest ever when he was appointed at the age of 25 in May last year, hopes to join his successor Cllr Greg Maskalick at the event.

Towards the end of his term of office Harry boosted relations with all three of the borough’s twin towns by completing a three-wheel grand tour of them in a pal’s 34-year-old Reliant Robin. The self-funded trip with three of his friends raised more than £2,500 for his Mayoral charities – the 1st Sawley Scouts in their mission to build a new hut and the youth academy of Cotmanhay-based community radio station Erewash Sound.

Harry’s stop in Romorantin-Lanthenay included a visit to the Matra museum. His successor Greg –  who took over as mayor in May – said: “The Matra festival in Long Eaton will not only be attracting petrol heads from across the borough and beyond but will be a treat for all the family. Let’s hope the summer weather continues to be glorious.”

Pittsburgh-born Greg is no stranger to festivals. Before settling in the UK to work as a teacher he was a professional pianist – and last month wowed crowds with his keyboard skills at the Long Eaton Carnival. Greg’s performance in the town’s West Park saw him take to the stage with his  Roadkill Blues Band.