BATTLESBRIDGE SELLS OFF LAND
Essex classic car venue’s 2019 itinerary to change as it reduces in size
The proprietor of the 16-acre Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, host of several large and well-regarded historic vehicle events, has stated online that its best-loved shows are to change following a sell-off of some land.
Jim Gallie and John Bedford, owner and manager of Muggeridge Farm and Showground Events respectively, commented on social media that Battlebridge’s May Classic Car Show, August Classic Ford Show, September Grand Motorbilia Show, Essex V Dubbers Camping Weekend and Custom Culture Show ‘will no longer appear in their current form’.
New events, like breakfast meets and smaller gatherings appropriate to Battlesbridge’s new footprint will be created, according to the statement. Battlesbridge withstood a long legal battle between 2014 and 2017 with Chelmsford City Council, which ruled that Jim Gallie did not have permission to hold events on his property – despite having done so since 1989.
The decision was later overturned by the High Court. Recently, Jim received an offer by the wholesale nursery nearby to buy up a section of Battlesbridge Showground; citing organisational and family reasons, he accepted the offer, directing show goers to check online for updates.
Manager of Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, John Bedford, said that the Showground’s 2019 calendar would be respected.
He said: ‘We want 2019 to consist of smaller and better run events. There will be some new shows, too – in particular we’d like to run some breakfast clubs and American car meets. Although we’re delighted with the growth shown by the Motorbilia and spring classic Ford shows, they were putting a strain on the core business [running the Antiques Centre]. By selling some land, [proprietor] Jim [Gallie] can reinvest in the Antiques Centre; we’ve still got six acres of land to play with and a neighbouring field for overflow. We’ll publish next year’s calendar by the time 2018 is over with the changes.’
‘ We want 2019 to consist of smaller and better run events at the site’
JOHN BEDFORD, MANAGER