Festival of Slowth 2014

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Report by Tim Gunn - Photographs Stefan Marjoram

The Festival of Slowth is a little like Area 51. People know it exists, they are curious to know more and for those who do know; try all they can (including bribery) to get an invitation to this exclusive and secret event held in deepest Wales. “But how do I get an invitation?" I hear you cry. Well, you need to be the owner of a primitive cyclecar and not take life too seriously. But unlike its better known counterpart; The Festival of Speed, the Slowth is the best antidote to the glitz and glamour often associated with motoring events. However; the only comparisons that can be made are; invitation-only and to be hosted by a gentleman of nobility. The event flies the flag for sillyness and fun, but more importantly; it is for like-minded fellows to converge to raise a glass (or several) to the wonders of primitive Cyclecars and their past constructors. 

The latest edition did not disappoint us cyclecarists and friends who were lucky enough to be invited. The sun shone on us all weekend; with the estate of our hosts showing it’s most glorious at this time of year - the drive lined with bluebells and blossom on the trees in the paddock. The event is very loosely based on timed regularity runs up the aforementioned noble gentleman’s newly resurfaced driveway, together with a tour by cyclecar of the tracks and pathways of our host’s estate. But for this slowth; a new edition was added to the format. A vintage lawn mowing contest by fantastic machines from names such Atco – Ransomes – Greens – Dennis and Anzani; all brought along by cyclecarists to cut the estate gardens and to compete for the best cut of the day.  

Nearly 30 cyclecars took part. Some newly found and undergoing restoration; like the OTAV from Italy and the very original Robinson made in the 1920’s by a blacksmith in Northumberland for his son. The only 2 surviving Graham White cyclecars built in Hendon by the pioneer aviator met for the first time in years, 2 electric Auto Red Bugs dating from c.1925 competed for the noise award, 2 Bedelia’s battled it out to the bitter end, and the heavily campaigned Carden Cyclecar owned by Gerry Michelmore tried its best to fall over. Other cyclecars included the only known Woodrow Cyclecar from 1914, several Morgan 3-wheelers, a couple of Humberettes, a 1923 Temporino built in Milan, a collection of GN’s, a  couple of AC socialables, The Grafton Cyclecar (trying to go slow...!), a Mignonette from 1899, a 1914 friction drive Crescent, De Dion Tricar, Bleriot Whippet and partridge in a pear tree.

But wowing the crowds was Adrian Ward’s Jappic recreation which he managed to extract from his garage for the first time to bring along for us all to see. Still very much a work in progress; Adrian is making such a super job of the car, that its original constructor if around today, would find it hard to distinguish the differences.

However; the real purpose of the event is a social gathering of cyclecarists. It is a time to chat, be merry and re-live the eccentricities of the golden era of the Cyclecar. Hats off to our hosts for the weekend and here’s to the next Festival of Slowth. ‘Vive Le Cyclecar.’  

Update: Adrian Ward sends joy-oozing pictures (click).
 

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