BARD’S DRIVE 2024
FOXCOTE HOUSE, ILMINGTON
on Saturday, 13th July 2024
The owners of this stunning Grade II-listed 18th-century manor house have kindly agreed that Bard’s Drive can meet at Foxcote House, Ilmington in the Cotswolds (CV36 4JG) for this year’s charity fundraising Classic Car Rally.
Foxcote is a privately owned home and access to the Foxcote estate is only rarely given so this is a wonderful opportunity.
Cars will meet at Foxcote House where owners will be able to take photos — and then chat over refreshments in the former Catholic chapel. After the meeting participants can take part, if they wish, in a rally (with a quiz) around churches in the area.
Space in front of the house and in the chapel is limited and so the number of registered cars we can include is very restricted.
Start Time: 11am
Refreshments: 11.45am
Cost: £40 per car (Max 2 people per car, including driver). Cost of refreshments (pastries and coffee or tea) and the quiz route and questions are included in the price.
***CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW ***
Participants will receive more information about access to Foxcote closer to the date. Entry to the event is strictly for pre-registered cars only.
We hope you will join us for a great day out on 13th July 2024.
The Bard’s Drive Team
Email: info@bardsdrive.co.uk
The Trustees of the Warwickshire and Coventry Historic Churches Trust are very grateful for the owners’ generous permission to hold Bard’s Drive at Foxcote. All profits will go to our charity, the Warwickshire and Coventry Historic Churches Trust so that we can give grants to restore and maintain Warwickshire churches and chapels, preserving them for future generations.
PREVIOUS BARD’S DRIVE EVENTS
BARD’S DRIVE JULY 2023
Bard’s Drive 2023 took place on Saturday 22nd July 2023 at Honington Hall (near Shipston-on-Stour). In spite of the weather, we had a great turnout and everyone enjoyed meeting other classic car enthusiasts.
The Trust was very grateful to Benjamin Wiggin for his kind permission for cars to meet in the grounds of Honington Hall – a stunning 17th century country house. James Kerr, a professional photographer, took some great photos of Bard’s Drive participants and their wonderful cars in front of it. Maps and Quiz sheets were provided for those wishing to tour around 5 of Warwickshire’s historic churches and / or classic car venues in the area (The British Motor Museum or Caffeine and Machine at Ettington).
CHURCHES INCLUDED: Honington (All Saints) CV36 5AA; Shipston-on-Stour (St Edmunds) CV36 4AP; Barcheston (St Martins;) Brailes (St Georges) CV35 0SG; Brailes (St Peter and St Catholic Church); Ratley (St Peter ad Vincula) OX15 6DS; Pillerton Hersey (St Mary the Virgin) CV35 0QJ
Click to see James Kerr’s photos
If you would like to purchase digital photos, please take a note of the photo number(s) you are interested in and email info@bardsdrive.co.uk Prices are: 2 photos for £10; 5 photos for 20; 8 photos for £25`
Our thanks to James Kerr for donating profits from the sale of these photos to the Trust.
Shortlinks
BARD’S DRIVE 2022
We had an amazing sunny day with bright blue skies on Sunday for Bard’s Drive 2022 on Sunday 19th July 2022. A variety of wonderful cars joined us in the courtyard of 14th century Maxstoke Castle to start the Rally.
After chatting, refreshments and taking photos, the cars were waved off with a flag!
Participants visited historic churches of their choice in the area, including Polesworth Abbey; St Peter’s Mancetter; St Edith’s, Monks Kirby; St John the Baptist and St Anne’s at Wappenbury; St Nicholas, Kenilworth; St Peter and St Paul’s, Coleshilll; St Michael’s and All Angels, Maxstoke – and took part in our fun Church Quiz and Photo Competition.
Our grateful thanks to George and Edwina Fetherston-Dilke, who generously let us use their home, Maxstoke Castle, as the starting venue.
Thanks too to everyone who took part, the churches for welcoming our rally drivers and all those who helped make it a day to remember.
Photos by Jamie Wright (info@jddigital.co.uk)