Mini drivers enjoy tasty stops at top attractions

The KE Ashford Big Quiz is on Friday, October 16. Here are some test questions to get contestants in the mood. Scores of Mini-enthusiasts toured the countryside around Ashford in their prized cars with pitstops at the borough’s hotspots.

A total of 37 teams took part in the mass drive to Appledore as part of the annual Ham Sandwich Run, organised by Kent Mini Cooper Register.

The event’s name comes from its origin in the mid-nineties, as teams used to start in Deal and travel through Ham into Sandwich for lunch.

But the Mini- enthusiasts event was revived by Justin and Annmarie Ridyard three years ago and now takes drivers around various Kent attractions.

This year, on Sunday, August 31, motorists took a 69-mile route around Ashford borough, stopping off at the Gusbourne Vineyards near Appledore, the Bakehouse tea rooms in Biddenden before finishing up at the Five Bells pub in Brabourne.

All teams made it to the end point, where prizes were pre- The Kent Region of the Mini Cooper Register took on the annual Ham Sandwich run, this year around Ashford sented for navigation, spirit of the event and best teddy bear at the lunch stop.

Mr Ridyard, one of the organisers, said: “This year’s stop off at the Gusbourne Vineyard was superb. We all enjoyed the tour, tasting and a few special purchases, the car was much heavier for the afternoon run!

“We also planned a weekend trip to Champagne to tie in with this year’s event but the industrial action at the ports forced us to postpone that till next year.

“We had an excellent day, the weather was fantastic and we’re already looking forward to – and nearly booked up for – next year’s run. The bar is now set very high.”

For more information on the Mini Coopers Register group, visit www.facebook.com/minicooperregister

‘We had an excellent day, the weather was fantastic and we’re already looking forward to next year’s run’